Mater Dei Primary School vs Toowoomba State High School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 1.7 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Mater Dei Primary School
Toowoomba · Catholic primary · Prep-6
433 students · ICSEA 1116
Toowoomba State High School
Mount Lofty · Government high school · 7-12
775 students · ICSEA 934
| Measure | Mater Dei Primary School Toowoomba QLD | Toowoomba State High School Mount Lofty QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 70 Top 25% | 29 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #103 of 804 | #208 of 269 |
| National rank (type) | #1023 of 4,908 | #1218 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | 7-12 |
| Students | 433 | 775 |
| Girls / boys | 227 / 206 | 386 / 389 |
| Foundation intake | 66 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 163 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 86 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +1% | -12% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1116 | 934 |
| ICSEA percentile | 88th | 19th |
| Top SEA quarter | 45% | 7% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 4% | 53% |
| Students per teacher | 17.0 | 10.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 25.5 | 73.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 13.2 | 35.4 |
| Language background other than English | 15% | 28% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 14% |
| Suburb | Toowoomba 4350 | Mount Lofty 4350 |
| Council area | Toowoomba | Toowoomba |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.mdpstwb.catholic.edu.au | toowoombashs.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Mater Dei Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (69.9 vs 28.5).
- •Mater Dei Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1116 vs 934), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Toowoomba State High School has fewer students per teacher (10.5 vs 17.0).
- •Toowoomba State High School is the larger school with 775 students compared with 433.
- •Mater Dei Primary School has grown faster over five years (1% vs -12%).
- •Mater Dei Primary School is a catholic school while Toowoomba State High School is a government school, so fees and enrolment rules differ.
The Success Index summarises community advantage, resourcing and momentum from ACARA data. It does not measure teaching quality, results or fit. Methodology.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Mater Dei Primary School better than Toowoomba State High School?
On the Success Index, Mater Dei Primary School ranks higher (69.9 vs 28.5 out of 100). The index measures community advantage and momentum from ACARA data, not teaching quality, so visit both schools before deciding.
How far apart are Mater Dei Primary School and Toowoomba State High School?
About 1.7 km in a straight line, between Toowoomba and Mount Lofty in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Mater Dei Primary School has 17.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Toowoomba State High School has 10.5.
How do Mater Dei Primary School and Toowoomba State High School rank in QLD?
Mater Dei Primary School is 103rd of 804 and Toowoomba State High School is 208th of 269 among primary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.