St Joseph's School vs St Mary MacKillop School
A head-to-head comparison of two combined schools in South Australia, 200 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
St Joseph's School
Murray Bridge · Catholic combined · R-9
428 students · ICSEA 955
St Mary MacKillop School
Wallaroo · Catholic combined · R-9
139 students · ICSEA 968
| Measure | St Joseph's School Murray Bridge SA | St Mary MacKillop School Wallaroo SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 25 Lower 50% | 37 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #139 of 145 | #98 of 145 |
| National rank (type) | #1184 of 1,259 | #927 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Catholic | Catholic |
| Type | Combined | Combined |
| Year range | R-9 | R-9 |
| Students | 428 | 139 |
| Girls / boys | 206 / 222 | 73 / 66 |
| Foundation intake | 62 | 20 |
| Year 7 cohort | 21 | 4 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -4% | -17% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 955 | 968 |
| ICSEA percentile | 27th | 33th |
| Top SEA quarter | 6% | 9% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 50% | 43% |
| Students per teacher | 12.4 | 9.7 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 34.4 | 14.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 29.7 | 9.0 |
| Language background other than English | 17% | 1% |
| Indigenous students | 9% | 8% |
| Suburb | Murray Bridge 5253 | Wallaroo 5556 |
| Council area | Murray Bridge | Copper Coast |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | www.stjomb.catholic.edu.au | www.stmm.catholic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •St Mary MacKillop School scores higher on the Success Index (36.6 vs 24.9).
- •St Mary MacKillop School has the higher ICSEA (968 vs 955), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Mary MacKillop School has fewer students per teacher (9.7 vs 12.4).
- •St Joseph's School is the larger school with 428 students compared with 139.
- •St Joseph's School has grown faster over five years (-4% vs -17%).
The Success Index summarises community advantage, resourcing and momentum from ACARA data. It does not measure teaching quality, results or fit. Methodology.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Your nearest centre: Success Tutoring Windsor Gardens
Frequently asked questions
Is St Joseph's School better than St Mary MacKillop School?
On the Success Index, St Mary MacKillop School ranks higher (36.6 vs 24.9 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 Joseph's School and St Mary MacKillop School?
About 200 km in a straight line, between Murray Bridge and Wallaroo in South Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
St Joseph's School has 12.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary MacKillop School has 9.7.
How do St Joseph's School and St Mary MacKillop School rank in SA?
St Joseph's School is 139th of 145 and St Mary MacKillop School is 98th of 145 among combined schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.