Merriang School vs St Catherine's School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Victoria, 1.1 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Merriang School
Lalor · Government special · U
129 students · ICSEA 1006
St Catherine's School
Lalor · Catholic primary · Prep-6
289 students · ICSEA 1036
| Measure | Merriang School Lalor VIC | St Catherine's School Lalor VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 60 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #653 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | – | #1928 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Special | Primary |
| Year range | U | Prep-6 |
| Students | 129 | 289 |
| Girls / boys | 36 / 93 | 146 / 143 |
| Foundation intake | – | 42 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +23% | -8% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1006 | 1036 |
| ICSEA percentile | 50th | 63th |
| Top SEA quarter | 14% | 14% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 31% | 21% |
| Students per teacher | 4.7 | 12.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 27.5 | 23.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 28.8 | 9.4 |
| Language background other than English | 34% | 54% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 0% |
| Suburb | Lalor 3075 | Lalor 3075 |
| Council area | Whittlesea | Whittlesea |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.merriangsds.vic.edu.au/ | www.sclalorwest.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Catherine's School has the higher ICSEA (1036 vs 1006), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Merriang School has fewer students per teacher (4.7 vs 12.4).
- •St Catherine's School is the larger school with 289 students compared with 129.
- •Merriang School has grown faster over five years (23% vs -8%).
- •Merriang School is a government school while St Catherine'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 Merriang School better than St Catherine's 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 Merriang School and St Catherine's School?
About 1.1 km in a straight line, between Lalor and Lalor in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Merriang School has 4.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Catherine's School has 12.4.
How do Merriang School and St Catherine's School rank in VIC?
Merriang School is unranked and St Catherine's School is 653rd of 1,290 among special schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.