Railway Estate State School vs St Margaret Mary's College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 1.8 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Railway Estate State School
Railway Estate · Government primary · Prep-6
179 students · ICSEA 916
St Margaret Mary's College
Hyde Park · Catholic high school · 7-12
707 students · ICSEA 1014
| Measure | Railway Estate State School Railway Estate QLD | St Margaret Mary's College Hyde Park QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 24 Lower 50% | 50 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #692 of 804 | #108 of 269 |
| National rank (type) | #4538 of 4,908 | #736 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | 7-12 |
| Students | 179 | 707 |
| Girls / boys | 72 / 107 | 707 / 0 |
| Foundation intake | 25 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 125 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 84 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -14% | -1% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 916 | 1014 |
| ICSEA percentile | 14th | 53th |
| Top SEA quarter | 6% | 17% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 51% | 19% |
| Students per teacher | 14.4 | 12.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 12.4 | 58.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 6.8 | 26.4 |
| Language background other than English | 13% | 12% |
| Indigenous students | 30% | 14% |
| Suburb | Railway Estate 4810 | Hyde Park 4812 |
| Council area | Townsville | Townsville |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | railwayestatess.eq.edu.au | www.smmc.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Margaret Mary's College scores higher on the Success Index (50.4 vs 24.4).
- •St Margaret Mary's College has the higher ICSEA (1014 vs 916), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Margaret Mary's College has fewer students per teacher (12.0 vs 14.4).
- •St Margaret Mary's College is the larger school with 707 students compared with 179.
- •St Margaret Mary's College has grown faster over five years (-1% vs -14%).
- •Railway Estate State School is a government school while St Margaret Mary'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 Railway Estate State School better than St Margaret Mary's College?
On the Success Index, St Margaret Mary's College ranks higher (50.4 vs 24.4 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 Railway Estate State School and St Margaret Mary's College?
About 1.8 km in a straight line, between Railway Estate and Hyde Park in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Railway Estate State School has 14.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Margaret Mary's College has 12.0.
How do Railway Estate State School and St Margaret Mary's College rank in QLD?
Railway Estate State School is 692nd of 804 and St Margaret Mary's College is 108th of 269 among primary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.