Burnie High School vs Stella Maris Catholic School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Tasmania, 2.1 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Burnie High School
Cooee · Government high school · 7-12
502 students · ICSEA 951
Stella Maris Catholic School
Burnie · Catholic primary · Prep-6
382 students · ICSEA 1024
| Measure | Burnie High School Cooee TAS | Stella Maris Catholic School Burnie TAS |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 29 Lower 50% | 50 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #26 of 42 | #50 of 132 |
| National rank (type) | #1200 of 1,472 | #2717 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 502 | 382 |
| Girls / boys | 264 / 238 | 203 / 179 |
| Foundation intake | – | 54 |
| Year 7 cohort | 128 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 3 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -18% | +1% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 951 | 1024 |
| ICSEA percentile | 25th | 57th |
| Top SEA quarter | 6% | 21% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 44% | 24% |
| Students per teacher | 12.3 | 18.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 40.5 | 21.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 24.5 | 14.4 |
| Language background other than English | 1% | 10% |
| Indigenous students | 15% | 8% |
| Suburb | Cooee 7320 | Burnie 7320 |
| Council area | Burnie | Burnie |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | burniehigh.education.tas.edu.au | stellamaris.tas.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Stella Maris Catholic School scores higher on the Success Index (49.7 vs 29.1).
- •Stella Maris Catholic School has the higher ICSEA (1024 vs 951), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Burnie High School has fewer students per teacher (12.3 vs 18.1).
- •Burnie High School is the larger school with 502 students compared with 382.
- •Stella Maris Catholic School has grown faster over five years (1% vs -18%).
- •Burnie High School is a government school while Stella Maris Catholic 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 Burnie High School better than Stella Maris Catholic School?
On the Success Index, Stella Maris Catholic School ranks higher (49.7 vs 29.1 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 Burnie High School and Stella Maris Catholic School?
About 2.1 km in a straight line, between Cooee and Burnie in Tasmania.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Burnie High School has 12.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Stella Maris Catholic School has 18.1.
How do Burnie High School and Stella Maris Catholic School rank in TAS?
Burnie High School is 26th of 42 and Stella Maris Catholic School is 50th of 132 among secondary schools in Tasmania on the 2025 Success Index.