Merri River School vs St Pius X School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Victoria, 1.6 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Merri River School
Warrnambool · Government special · U
189 students · ICSEA 921
St Pius X School
Warrnambool · Catholic primary · Prep-6
246 students · ICSEA 1002
| Measure | Merri River School Warrnambool VIC | St Pius X School Warrnambool VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 44 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #998 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | – | #3138 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Special | Primary |
| Year range | U | Prep-6 |
| Students | 189 | 246 |
| Girls / boys | 63 / 126 | 130 / 116 |
| Foundation intake | – | 35 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +11% | -8% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 921 | 1002 |
| ICSEA percentile | 15th | 47th |
| Top SEA quarter | 10% | 11% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 58% | 37% |
| Students per teacher | 5.2 | 14.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 35.9 | 17.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 38.7 | 14.7 |
| Language background other than English | 3% | 12% |
| Indigenous students | 16% | 2% |
| Suburb | Warrnambool 3280 | Warrnambool 3280 |
| Council area | Warrnambool | Warrnambool |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | merrirs.vic.edu.au/ | www.spwarrnambool.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Pius X School has the higher ICSEA (1002 vs 921), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Merri River School has fewer students per teacher (5.2 vs 14.5).
- •St Pius X School is the larger school with 246 students compared with 189.
- •Merri River School has grown faster over five years (11% vs -8%).
- •Merri River School is a government school while St Pius X 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.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Your nearest centre: Success Tutoring Torquay
Frequently asked questions
Is Merri River School better than St Pius X School?
The two schools are very close on the Success Index. Differences in sector, size, year range and distance from home will matter more than the score.
How far apart are Merri River School and St Pius X School?
About 1.6 km in a straight line, between Warrnambool and Warrnambool in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Merri River School has 5.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Pius X School has 14.5.
How do Merri River School and St Pius X School rank in VIC?
Merri River School is unranked and St Pius X School is 998th of 1,290 among special schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.