Colac West Primary School vs St Mary's School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 528 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Colac West Primary School
Colac · Government primary · Prep-6
62 students · ICSEA 899
St Mary's School
Colac · Catholic primary · Prep-6
266 students · ICSEA 1025
| Measure | Colac West Primary School Colac VIC | St Mary's School Colac VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 23 Lower 50% | 55 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #773 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | – | #2317 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 62 | 266 |
| Girls / boys | 30 / 32 | 129 / 137 |
| Foundation intake | 4 | 46 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -40% | -9% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 899 | 1025 |
| ICSEA percentile | 10th | 58th |
| Top SEA quarter | 2% | 12% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 69% | 25% |
| Students per teacher | 8.9 | 13.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 7.0 | 19.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 2.7 | 11.7 |
| Language background other than English | 12% | 19% |
| Indigenous students | 6% | 1% |
| Suburb | Colac 3250 | Colac 3250 |
| Council area | Colac Otway | Colac Otway |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.colacwest.vic.edu.au | www.smcolac.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Mary's School scores higher on the Success Index (55.1 vs 22.9).
- •St Mary's School has the higher ICSEA (1025 vs 899), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Colac West Primary School has fewer students per teacher (8.9 vs 13.3).
- •St Mary's School is the larger school with 266 students compared with 62.
- •St Mary's School has grown faster over five years (-9% vs -40%).
- •Colac West Primary School 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 Colac West Primary School better than St Mary's School?
On the Success Index, St Mary's School ranks higher (55.1 vs 22.9 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 Colac West Primary School and St Mary's School?
About 528 m in a straight line, between Colac and Colac in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Colac West Primary School has 8.9 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's School has 13.3.
How do Colac West Primary School and St Mary's School rank in VIC?
Colac West Primary School is unranked and St Mary's School is 773rd of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.