Merrimac State School vs St Michael's College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 1.2 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Merrimac State School
Merrimac · Government primary · Prep-6
600 students · ICSEA 1020
St Michael's College
Merrimac · Catholic high school · 7-12
820 students · ICSEA 1048
| Measure | Merrimac State School Merrimac QLD | St Michael's College Merrimac QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 49 Lower 50% | 61 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #346 of 804 | #59 of 269 |
| National rank (type) | #2793 of 4,908 | #503 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | 7-12 |
| Students | 600 | 820 |
| Girls / boys | 307 / 293 | 423 / 397 |
| Foundation intake | 67 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 149 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 127 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -23% | -5% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1020 | 1048 |
| ICSEA percentile | 56th | 67th |
| Top SEA quarter | 11% | 17% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 22% | 14% |
| Students per teacher | 14.2 | 12.2 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 42.4 | 67.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 19.9 | 26.1 |
| Language background other than English | 27% | 6% |
| Indigenous students | 5% | 2% |
| Suburb | Merrimac 4226 | Merrimac 4226 |
| Council area | Gold Coast | Gold Coast |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | merrimacss.eq.edu.au | www.stmichaels.qld.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Michael's College scores higher on the Success Index (60.6 vs 48.6).
- •St Michael's College has the higher ICSEA (1048 vs 1020), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Michael's College has fewer students per teacher (12.2 vs 14.2).
- •St Michael's College is the larger school with 820 students compared with 600.
- •St Michael's College has grown faster over five years (-5% vs -23%).
- •Merrimac State School is a government school while St Michael's College 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 School better than St Michael's College?
On the Success Index, St Michael's College ranks higher (60.6 vs 48.6 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 School and St Michael's College?
About 1.2 km in a straight line, between Merrimac and Merrimac in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Merrimac State School has 14.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Michael's College has 12.2.
How do Merrimac State School and St Michael's College rank in QLD?
Merrimac State School is 346th of 804 and St Michael's College is 59th of 269 among primary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.