Araluen Primary School vs St Mary's Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 2.4 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Araluen Primary School
Sale · Government primary · Prep-6
104 students · ICSEA 946
St Mary's Primary School
Sale · Catholic primary · Prep-6
180 students · ICSEA 1045
| Measure | Araluen Primary School Sale VIC | St Mary's Primary School Sale VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 33 Lower 50% | 57 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #1191 of 1,290 | #740 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #3897 of 4,908 | #2210 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 104 | 180 |
| Girls / boys | 52 / 52 | 91 / 89 |
| Foundation intake | 10 | 25 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -10% | -1% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 946 | 1045 |
| ICSEA percentile | 23th | 66th |
| Top SEA quarter | 6% | 15% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 54% | 15% |
| Students per teacher | 9.4 | 15.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 11.1 | 11.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 4.2 | 5.8 |
| Language background other than English | 9% | 10% |
| Indigenous students | 12% | 1% |
| Suburb | Sale 3850 | Sale 3850 |
| Council area | Wellington | Wellington |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.araluenps.vic.edu.au | www.stmarysale.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Mary's Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (56.6 vs 33.2).
- •St Mary's Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1045 vs 946), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Araluen Primary School has fewer students per teacher (9.4 vs 15.3).
- •St Mary's Primary School is the larger school with 180 students compared with 104.
- •St Mary's Primary School has grown faster over five years (-1% vs -10%).
- •Araluen Primary School is a government school while St Mary's Primary 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 Araluen Primary School better than St Mary's Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Mary's Primary School ranks higher (56.6 vs 33.2 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 Araluen Primary School and St Mary's Primary School?
About 2.4 km in a straight line, between Sale and Sale in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Araluen Primary School has 9.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's Primary School has 15.3.
How do Araluen Primary School and St Mary's Primary School rank in VIC?
Araluen Primary School is 1191st of 1,290 and St Mary's Primary School is 740th of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.