Geelong High School vs St Mary's School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Victoria, 938 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Geelong High School
East Geelong · Government high school · 7-12
976 students · ICSEA 998
St Mary's School
Geelong · Catholic primary · Prep-6
214 students · ICSEA 1114
| Measure | Geelong High School East Geelong VIC | St Mary's School Geelong VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 50 Lower 50% | 78 Top 10% |
| State rank (type) | #217 of 348 | #167 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #751 of 1,472 | #319 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 976 | 214 |
| Girls / boys | 422 / 554 | 112 / 102 |
| Foundation intake | – | 31 |
| Year 7 cohort | 198 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 143 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | 29 | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | 6.5% | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +4% | -12% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 998 | 1114 |
| ICSEA percentile | 46th | 88th |
| Top SEA quarter | 9% | 44% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 36% | 6% |
| Students per teacher | 11.7 | 12.2 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 80.0 | 17.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 29.0 | 6.9 |
| Language background other than English | 8% | 19% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 2% |
| Suburb | East Geelong 3219 | Geelong 3220 |
| Council area | Greater Geelong | Greater Geelong |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.geelonghigh.vic.edu.au | www.smgeelong.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Mary's School scores higher on the Success Index (78.1 vs 49.5).
- •St Mary's School has the higher ICSEA (1114 vs 998), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Geelong High School is the larger school with 976 students compared with 214.
- •Geelong High School has grown faster over five years (4% vs -12%).
- •Geelong High 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 Geelong High School better than St Mary's School?
On the Success Index, St Mary's School ranks higher (78.1 vs 49.5 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 Geelong High School and St Mary's School?
About 938 m in a straight line, between East Geelong and Geelong in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Geelong High School has 11.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's School has 12.2.
How do Geelong High School and St Mary's School rank in VIC?
Geelong High School is 217th of 348 and St Mary's School is 167th of 1,290 among secondary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.