Mernda Park Primary School vs St Joseph's School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 2.1 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Mernda Park Primary School
Mernda · Government primary · Prep-6
369 students · ICSEA 1057
St Joseph's School
Mernda · Catholic primary · Prep-6
497 students · ICSEA 1094
| Measure | Mernda Park Primary School Mernda VIC | St Joseph's School Mernda VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 75 Top 10% | 73 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #265 of 1,290 | #316 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #560 of 4,908 | #708 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 369 | 497 |
| Girls / boys | 176 / 193 | 229 / 268 |
| Foundation intake | 48 | 78 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +22% | +37% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1057 | 1094 |
| ICSEA percentile | 71th | 82th |
| Top SEA quarter | 25% | 35% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 18% | 6% |
| Students per teacher | 12.5 | 15.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 29.5 | 32.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 7.5 | 18.7 |
| Language background other than English | 57% | 76% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 0% |
| Suburb | Mernda 3754 | Mernda 3754 |
| Council area | Whittlesea | Whittlesea |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.merndaparkps.vic.edu.au/ | www.stjosephsschoolmernda.org |
The verdict
- •Mernda Park Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (74.7 vs 73.3).
- •St Joseph's School has the higher ICSEA (1094 vs 1057), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Mernda Park Primary School has fewer students per teacher (12.5 vs 15.5).
- •St Joseph's School is the larger school with 497 students compared with 369.
- •St Joseph's School has grown faster over five years (37% vs 22%).
- •Mernda Park Primary School is a government 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 Park Primary School better than St Joseph's School?
On the Success Index, Mernda Park Primary School ranks higher (74.7 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 Park Primary School and St Joseph's School?
About 2.1 km in a straight line, between Mernda and Mernda in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Mernda Park Primary School has 12.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Joseph's School has 15.5.
How do Mernda Park Primary School and St Joseph's School rank in VIC?
Mernda Park Primary School is 265th of 1,290 and St Joseph's School is 316th of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.