Merrimac State High School vs St Vincent's Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 1.4 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Merrimac State High School
Mermaid Waters · Government high school · 7-12
930 students · ICSEA 1029
St Vincent's Primary School
Clear Island Waters · Catholic primary · Prep-6
794 students · ICSEA 1091
| Measure | Merrimac State High School Mermaid Waters QLD | St Vincent's Primary School Clear Island Waters QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 58 Top 50% | 63 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #77 of 269 | #166 of 804 |
| National rank (type) | #566 of 1,472 | #1650 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 930 | 794 |
| Girls / boys | 458 / 472 | 402 / 392 |
| Foundation intake | – | 109 |
| Year 7 cohort | 148 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 119 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -25% | +3% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1029 | 1091 |
| ICSEA percentile | 59th | 82th |
| Top SEA quarter | 13% | 32% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 21% | 4% |
| Students per teacher | 11.7 | 18.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 79.7 | 43.3 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 41.8 | 14.5 |
| Language background other than English | 28% | 4% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 3% |
| Suburb | Mermaid Waters 4218 | Clear Island Waters 4226 |
| Council area | Gold Coast | Gold Coast |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | merrimacshs.eq.edu.au | www.stvincentsps.qld.edu.au/Pages/default.aspx |
The verdict
- •St Vincent's Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (63.0 vs 57.6).
- •St Vincent's Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1091 vs 1029), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Merrimac State High School has fewer students per teacher (11.7 vs 18.3).
- •Merrimac State High School is the larger school with 930 students compared with 794.
- •St Vincent's Primary School has grown faster over five years (3% vs -25%).
- •Merrimac State High School is a government school while St Vincent's Primary School is a catholic 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 Merrimac State High School better than St Vincent's Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Vincent's Primary School ranks higher (63.0 vs 57.6 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 Merrimac State High School and St Vincent's Primary School?
About 1.4 km in a straight line, between Mermaid Waters and Clear Island Waters in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Merrimac State High School has 11.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Vincent's Primary School has 18.3.
How do Merrimac State High School and St Vincent's Primary School rank in QLD?
Merrimac State High School is 77th of 269 and St Vincent's Primary School is 166th of 804 among secondary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.