Mernda Primary School vs St Mary's School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 9.7 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Mernda Primary School
Mernda · Government primary · Prep-6
844 students · ICSEA 1035
St Mary's School
Whittlesea · Catholic primary · Prep-6
262 students · ICSEA 1032
| Measure | Mernda Primary School Mernda VIC | St Mary's School Whittlesea VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 57 Top 50% | 55 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #719 of 1,290 | #780 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #2138 of 4,908 | #2337 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 844 | 262 |
| Girls / boys | 418 / 426 | 133 / 129 |
| Foundation intake | 115 | 51 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -14% | -14% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1035 | 1032 |
| ICSEA percentile | 62th | 61th |
| Top SEA quarter | 16% | 12% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 22% | 22% |
| Students per teacher | 13.8 | 14.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 61.2 | 17.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 16.4 | 10.0 |
| Language background other than English | 48% | 4% |
| Indigenous students | 2% | 3% |
| Suburb | Mernda 3754 | Whittlesea 3757 |
| Council area | Whittlesea | Whittlesea |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.merndaps.vic.edu.au | www.smwhittlesea.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Mernda Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (57.3 vs 54.9).
- •Mernda Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1035 vs 1032), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Mernda Primary School has fewer students per teacher (13.8 vs 14.6).
- •Mernda Primary School is the larger school with 844 students compared with 262.
- •Mernda 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 Mernda Primary School better than St Mary's School?
On the Success Index, Mernda Primary School ranks higher (57.3 vs 54.9 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 Primary School and St Mary's School?
About 9.7 km in a straight line, between Mernda and Whittlesea in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Mernda Primary School has 13.8 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's School has 14.6.
How do Mernda Primary School and St Mary's School rank in VIC?
Mernda Primary School is 719th of 1,290 and St Mary's School is 780th of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.