Mernda Hills Christian College vs St Joseph's School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Victoria, 1.5 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Mernda Hills Christian College
Mernda · Independent combined · Prep-12
359 students · ICSEA 1119
St Joseph's School
Mernda · Catholic primary · Prep-6
497 students · ICSEA 1094
| Measure | Mernda Hills Christian College Mernda VIC | St Joseph's School Mernda VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 75 Top 25% | 73 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #62 of 239 | #316 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #181 of 1,259 | #708 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Independent | Catholic |
| Type | Combined | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-12 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 359 | 497 |
| Girls / boys | 171 / 188 | 229 / 268 |
| Foundation intake | 32 | 78 |
| Year 7 cohort | 55 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 18 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | – | +37% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1119 | 1094 |
| ICSEA percentile | 89th | 82th |
| Top SEA quarter | 46% | 35% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 4% | 6% |
| Students per teacher | 11.9 | 15.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 30.2 | 32.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 12.9 | 18.7 |
| Language background other than English | 76% | 76% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 0% |
| Suburb | Mernda 3754 | Mernda 3754 |
| Council area | Whittlesea | Whittlesea |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | merndahills.vic.edu.au/ | www.stjosephsschoolmernda.org |
The verdict
- •Mernda Hills Christian College scores higher on the Success Index (74.9 vs 73.3).
- •Mernda Hills Christian College has the higher ICSEA (1119 vs 1094), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Mernda Hills Christian College has fewer students per teacher (11.9 vs 15.5).
- •St Joseph's School is the larger school with 497 students compared with 359.
- •Mernda Hills Christian College is a independent school while St Joseph'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 Mernda Hills Christian College better than St Joseph's School?
On the Success Index, Mernda Hills Christian College ranks higher (74.9 vs 73.3 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 Mernda Hills Christian College and St Joseph's School?
About 1.5 km in a straight line, between Mernda and Mernda in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Mernda Hills Christian College has 11.9 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Joseph's School has 15.5.
How do Mernda Hills Christian College and St Joseph's School rank in VIC?
Mernda Hills Christian College is 62nd of 239 and St Joseph's School is 316th of 1,290 among combined schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.