Macarthur Street Primary School vs St Patrick's School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 1.7 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Macarthur Street Primary School
Soldiers Hill · Government primary · Prep-6
83 students · ICSEA 951
St Patrick's School
Ballarat · Catholic primary · Prep-6
249 students · ICSEA 1096
| Measure | Macarthur Street Primary School Soldiers Hill VIC | St Patrick's School Ballarat VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 31 Lower 50% | 70 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #1212 of 1,290 | #400 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #4044 of 4,908 | #1000 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 83 | 249 |
| Girls / boys | 47 / 36 | 124 / 125 |
| Foundation intake | 15 | 42 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -16% | -1% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 951 | 1096 |
| ICSEA percentile | 25th | 83th |
| Top SEA quarter | 3% | 35% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 54% | 7% |
| Students per teacher | 10.4 | 16.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 8.0 | 15.5 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 5.1 | 7.9 |
| Language background other than English | 11% | 14% |
| Indigenous students | 10% | 0% |
| Suburb | Soldiers Hill 3350 | Ballarat 3350 |
| Council area | Ballarat | Ballarat |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.macps.vic.edu.au | www.spballarat.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Patrick's School scores higher on the Success Index (70.2 vs 31.1).
- •St Patrick's School has the higher ICSEA (1096 vs 951), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Macarthur Street Primary School has fewer students per teacher (10.4 vs 16.1).
- •St Patrick's School is the larger school with 249 students compared with 83.
- •St Patrick's School has grown faster over five years (-1% vs -16%).
- •Macarthur Street Primary School is a government school while St Patrick'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 Macarthur Street Primary School better than St Patrick's School?
On the Success Index, St Patrick's School ranks higher (70.2 vs 31.1 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 Macarthur Street Primary School and St Patrick's School?
About 1.7 km in a straight line, between Soldiers Hill and Ballarat in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Macarthur Street Primary School has 10.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Patrick's School has 16.1.
How do Macarthur Street Primary School and St Patrick's School rank in VIC?
Macarthur Street Primary School is 1212th of 1,290 and St Patrick's School is 400th of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.