Bairnsdale Secondary College vs St Mary's School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Victoria, 2.3 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Bairnsdale Secondary College
Bairnsdale · Government high school · 7-12
1,213 students · ICSEA 955
St Mary's School
Bairnsdale · Catholic primary · Prep-6
473 students · ICSEA 1024
| Measure | Bairnsdale Secondary College Bairnsdale VIC | St Mary's School Bairnsdale VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 40 Lower 50% | 48 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #280 of 348 | #911 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #960 of 1,472 | #2811 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 1,213 | 473 |
| Girls / boys | 588 / 625 | 217 / 256 |
| Foundation intake | – | 68 |
| Year 7 cohort | 256 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 124 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | 27 | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | 1.8% | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +9% | +9% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 955 | 1024 |
| ICSEA percentile | 27th | 58th |
| Top SEA quarter | 7% | 13% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 47% | 24% |
| Students per teacher | 12.6 | 17.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 96.1 | 26.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 71.3 | 16.8 |
| Language background other than English | 5% | 3% |
| Indigenous students | 13% | 4% |
| Suburb | Bairnsdale 3875 | Bairnsdale 3875 |
| Council area | East Gippsland | East Gippsland |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | bairnsdalesc.vic.edu.au/ | www.stmbairns.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Mary's School scores higher on the Success Index (48.4 vs 39.7).
- •St Mary's School has the higher ICSEA (1024 vs 955), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Bairnsdale Secondary College has fewer students per teacher (12.6 vs 17.6).
- •Bairnsdale Secondary College is the larger school with 1,213 students compared with 473.
- •Bairnsdale 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 Bairnsdale Secondary College better than St Mary's School?
On the Success Index, St Mary's School ranks higher (48.4 vs 39.7 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 Bairnsdale Secondary College and St Mary's School?
About 2.3 km in a straight line, between Bairnsdale and Bairnsdale in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Bairnsdale Secondary College has 12.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's School has 17.6.
How do Bairnsdale Secondary College and St Mary's School rank in VIC?
Bairnsdale Secondary College is 280th of 348 and St Mary's School is 911th of 1,290 among secondary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.