Merri-bek Primary School vs St Margaret Mary's School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 428 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Merri-bek Primary School
Coburg · Government primary · Prep-6
350 students · ICSEA 1112
St Margaret Mary's School
Brunswick North · Catholic primary · Prep-6
66 students · ICSEA 1103
| Measure | Merri-bek Primary School Coburg VIC | St Margaret Mary's School Brunswick North VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 75 Top 10% | 73 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #255 of 1,290 | – |
| National rank (type) | #528 of 4,908 | – |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 350 | 66 |
| Girls / boys | 182 / 168 | 31 / 35 |
| Foundation intake | 48 | 10 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -2% | -48% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1112 | 1103 |
| ICSEA percentile | 87th | 85th |
| Top SEA quarter | 50% | 41% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 12% | 8% |
| Students per teacher | 13.3 | 9.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 26.2 | 7.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 11.2 | 2.8 |
| Language background other than English | 38% | 27% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 0% |
| Suburb | Coburg 3058 | Brunswick North 3056 |
| Council area | Merri-bek | Merri-bek |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | merri-bekps.vic.edu.au/ | www.smmbrunswicknth.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Merri-bek Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (75.1 vs 73.1).
- •Merri-bek Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1112 vs 1103), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Margaret Mary's School has fewer students per teacher (9.4 vs 13.3).
- •Merri-bek Primary School is the larger school with 350 students compared with 66.
- •Merri-bek Primary School has grown faster over five years (-2% vs -48%).
- •Merri-bek Primary School is a government school while St Margaret 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 Merri-bek Primary School better than St Margaret Mary's School?
On the Success Index, Merri-bek Primary School ranks higher (75.1 vs 73.1 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 Merri-bek Primary School and St Margaret Mary's School?
About 428 m in a straight line, between Coburg and Brunswick North in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Merri-bek Primary School has 13.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Margaret Mary's School has 9.4.
How do Merri-bek Primary School and St Margaret Mary's School rank in VIC?
Merri-bek Primary School is 255th of 1,290 and St Margaret Mary's School is unranked among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.