Cire Community School vs Mount Lilydale Mercy College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Victoria, 1.4 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Cire Community School
Lilydale · Independent special · 2-12
524 students · ICSEA 987
Mount Lilydale Mercy College
Lilydale · Catholic high school · 7-12
1,550 students · ICSEA 1045
| Measure | Cire Community School Lilydale VIC | Mount Lilydale Mercy College Lilydale VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 65 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #132 of 348 |
| National rank (type) | – | #396 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Independent | Catholic |
| Type | Special | Secondary |
| Year range | 2-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 524 | 1,550 |
| Girls / boys | 239 / 285 | 787 / 763 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 48 | 284 |
| Year 12 cohort | 74 | 207 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | 28 |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | 1.9% |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +185% | +5% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 987 | 1045 |
| ICSEA percentile | 41th | 66th |
| Top SEA quarter | 10% | 16% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 41% | 17% |
| Students per teacher | 9.9 | 12.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 52.9 | 125.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 71.0 | 67.6 |
| Language background other than English | 1% | 3% |
| Indigenous students | 5% | 2% |
| Suburb | Lilydale 3140 | Lilydale 3140 |
| Council area | Yarra Ranges | Yarra Ranges |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.cire.org.au/community-school/ | www.mlmc.vic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Mount Lilydale Mercy College has the higher ICSEA (1045 vs 987), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Cire Community School has fewer students per teacher (9.9 vs 12.4).
- •Mount Lilydale Mercy College is the larger school with 1,550 students compared with 524.
- •Cire Community School has grown faster over five years (185% vs 5%).
- •Cire Community School is a independent school while Mount Lilydale Mercy College 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 Cire Community School better than Mount Lilydale Mercy College?
The two schools are very close on the Success Index. Differences in sector, size, year range and distance from home will matter more than the score.
How far apart are Cire Community School and Mount Lilydale Mercy College?
About 1.4 km in a straight line, between Lilydale and Lilydale in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Cire Community School has 9.9 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Mount Lilydale Mercy College has 12.4.
How do Cire Community School and Mount Lilydale Mercy College rank in VIC?
Cire Community School is unranked and Mount Lilydale Mercy College is 132nd of 348 among special schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.