St Margaret Mary's College vs Townsville State High School
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in Queensland, 1.3 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
St Margaret Mary's College
Hyde Park · Catholic high school · 7-12
707 students · ICSEA 1014
Townsville State High School
Railway Estate · Government high school · 7-12
841 students · ICSEA 924
| Measure | St Margaret Mary's College Hyde Park QLD | Townsville State High School Railway Estate QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 50 Top 50% | 30 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #108 of 269 | #200 of 269 |
| National rank (type) | #736 of 1,472 | #1190 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 707 | 841 |
| Girls / boys | 707 / 0 | 390 / 451 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 125 | 113 |
| Year 12 cohort | 84 | 122 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -1% | -5% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1014 | 924 |
| ICSEA percentile | 53th | 16th |
| Top SEA quarter | 17% | 7% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 19% | 50% |
| Students per teacher | 12.0 | 10.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 58.9 | 77.3 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 26.4 | 45.5 |
| Language background other than English | 12% | 36% |
| Indigenous students | 14% | 25% |
| Suburb | Hyde Park 4812 | Railway Estate 4810 |
| Council area | Townsville | Townsville |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | www.smmc.catholic.edu.au | townsvilleshs.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Margaret Mary's College scores higher on the Success Index (50.4 vs 29.6).
- •St Margaret Mary's College has the higher ICSEA (1014 vs 924), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Townsville State High School has fewer students per teacher (10.9 vs 12.0).
- •Townsville State High School is the larger school with 841 students compared with 707.
- •St Margaret Mary's College is a catholic school while Townsville 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 St Margaret Mary's College better than Townsville State High School?
On the Success Index, St Margaret Mary's College ranks higher (50.4 vs 29.6 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 St Margaret Mary's College and Townsville State High School?
About 1.3 km in a straight line, between Hyde Park and Railway Estate in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
St Margaret Mary's College has 12.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Townsville State High School has 10.9.
How do St Margaret Mary's College and Townsville State High School rank in QLD?
St Margaret Mary's College is 108th of 269 and Townsville State High School is 200th of 269 among secondary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.