Mernda Primary School vs St Paul the Apostle Catholic Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 2.0 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 Paul the Apostle Catholic Primary School
Doreen · Catholic primary · Prep-6
454 students · ICSEA 1080
| Measure | Mernda Primary School Mernda VIC | St Paul the Apostle Catholic Primary School Doreen VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 57 Top 50% | 70 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #719 of 1,290 | #415 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #2138 of 4,908 | #1041 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 844 | 454 |
| Girls / boys | 418 / 426 | 231 / 223 |
| Foundation intake | 115 | 60 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -14% | +44% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1035 | 1080 |
| ICSEA percentile | 62th | 78th |
| Top SEA quarter | 16% | 29% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 22% | 9% |
| Students per teacher | 13.8 | 16.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 61.2 | 27.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 16.4 | 14.5 |
| Language background other than English | 48% | 42% |
| Indigenous students | 2% | 1% |
| Suburb | Mernda 3754 | Doreen 3754 |
| Council area | Whittlesea | Whittlesea |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.merndaps.vic.edu.au | www.spadoreen.catholic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •St Paul the Apostle Catholic Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (69.7 vs 57.3).
- •St Paul the Apostle Catholic Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1080 vs 1035), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Mernda Primary School has fewer students per teacher (13.8 vs 16.8).
- •Mernda Primary School is the larger school with 844 students compared with 454.
- •St Paul the Apostle Catholic Primary School has grown faster over five years (44% vs -14%).
- •Mernda Primary School is a government school while St Paul the Apostle Catholic Primary 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 Paul the Apostle Catholic Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Paul the Apostle Catholic Primary School ranks higher (69.7 vs 57.3 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 Primary School and St Paul the Apostle Catholic Primary School?
About 2.0 km in a straight line, between Mernda and Doreen in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Mernda Primary School has 13.8 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Paul the Apostle Catholic Primary School has 16.8.
How do Mernda Primary School and St Paul the Apostle Catholic Primary School rank in VIC?
Mernda Primary School is 719th of 1,290 and St Paul the Apostle Catholic Primary School is 415th of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.