Dandenong South Primary School vs St Mary's School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 1.2 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Dandenong South Primary School
Dandenong · Government primary · Prep-6
607 students · ICSEA 907
St Mary's School
Dandenong · Catholic primary · Prep-6
154 students · ICSEA 993
| Measure | Dandenong South Primary School Dandenong VIC | St Mary's School Dandenong VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 26 Lower 50% | 49 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #1264 of 1,290 | #906 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #4431 of 4,908 | #2798 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 607 | 154 |
| Girls / boys | 315 / 292 | 78 / 76 |
| Foundation intake | 99 | 19 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -5% | -23% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 907 | 993 |
| ICSEA percentile | 12th | 43th |
| Top SEA quarter | 3% | 11% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 70% | 43% |
| Students per teacher | 13.4 | 10.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 45.3 | 14.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 23.4 | 10.4 |
| Language background other than English | 95% | 75% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 0% |
| Suburb | Dandenong 3175 | Dandenong 3175 |
| Council area | Greater Dandenong | Greater Dandenong |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.dandenong-south-ps.vic.edu.au/ | www.smdandenong.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Mary's School scores higher on the Success Index (48.6 vs 26.0).
- •St Mary's School has the higher ICSEA (993 vs 907), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Mary's School has fewer students per teacher (10.4 vs 13.4).
- •Dandenong South Primary School is the larger school with 607 students compared with 154.
- •Dandenong South Primary School has grown faster over five years (-5% vs -23%).
- •Dandenong South 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 Dandenong South Primary School better than St Mary's School?
On the Success Index, St Mary's School ranks higher (48.6 vs 26.0 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 Dandenong South Primary School and St Mary's School?
About 1.2 km in a straight line, between Dandenong and Dandenong in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Dandenong South Primary School has 13.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's School has 10.4.
How do Dandenong South Primary School and St Mary's School rank in VIC?
Dandenong South Primary School is 1264th of 1,290 and St Mary's School is 906th of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.