Ararat Secondary College vs St Mary's School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Victoria, 1.6 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Ararat Secondary College
Ararat · Government high school · 7-12
332 students · ICSEA 940
St Mary's School
Ararat · Catholic primary · Prep-6
121 students · ICSEA 1038
| Measure | Ararat Secondary College Ararat VIC | St Mary's School Ararat VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 37 Lower 50% | 56 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #300 of 348 | #748 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #1026 of 1,472 | #2229 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 332 | 121 |
| Girls / boys | 171 / 161 | 59 / 62 |
| Foundation intake | – | 15 |
| Year 7 cohort | 71 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 41 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | 25 | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | 0% | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +13% | -23% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 940 | 1038 |
| ICSEA percentile | 21th | 63th |
| Top SEA quarter | 4% | 17% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 57% | 21% |
| Students per teacher | 9.8 | 14.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 33.6 | 8.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 26.5 | 6.4 |
| Language background other than English | 4% | 14% |
| Indigenous students | 7% | 2% |
| Suburb | Ararat 3377 | Ararat 3377 |
| Council area | Ararat | Ararat |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.araratcc.vic.edu.au | www.smararat.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Mary's School scores higher on the Success Index (56.4 vs 36.8).
- •St Mary's School has the higher ICSEA (1038 vs 940), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Ararat Secondary College has fewer students per teacher (9.8 vs 14.4).
- •Ararat Secondary College is the larger school with 332 students compared with 121.
- •Ararat Secondary College has grown faster over five years (13% vs -23%).
- •Ararat Secondary College is a government school while St Mary's 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 Ararat Secondary College better than St Mary's School?
On the Success Index, St Mary's School ranks higher (56.4 vs 36.8 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 Ararat Secondary College and St Mary's School?
About 1.6 km in a straight line, between Ararat and Ararat in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Ararat Secondary College has 9.8 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's School has 14.4.
How do Ararat Secondary College and St Mary's School rank in VIC?
Ararat Secondary College is 300th of 348 and St Mary's School is 748th of 1,290 among secondary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.