Rutherglen High School vs St Mary's School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Victoria, 1.7 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Rutherglen High School
Rutherglen · Government high school · 7-12
306 students · ICSEA 954
St Mary's School
Rutherglen · Catholic primary · Prep-6
104 students · ICSEA 1004
| Measure | Rutherglen High School Rutherglen VIC | St Mary's School Rutherglen VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 39 Lower 50% | 49 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #285 of 348 | #894 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #976 of 1,472 | #2759 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 306 | 104 |
| Girls / boys | 142 / 164 | 57 / 47 |
| Foundation intake | – | 15 |
| Year 7 cohort | 61 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 35 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | 25 | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | 1% | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +6% | +20% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 954 | 1004 |
| ICSEA percentile | 26th | 49th |
| Top SEA quarter | 4% | 6% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 52% | 32% |
| Students per teacher | 8.8 | 11.7 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 34.7 | 8.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 13.8 | 4.9 |
| Language background other than English | 3% | 0% |
| Indigenous students | 7% | 7% |
| Suburb | Rutherglen 3685 | Rutherglen 3685 |
| Council area | Indigo | Indigo |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.rutherglenhs.vic.edu.au/ | www.smrutherglen.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Mary's School scores higher on the Success Index (49.2 vs 39.1).
- •St Mary's School has the higher ICSEA (1004 vs 954), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Rutherglen High School has fewer students per teacher (8.8 vs 11.7).
- •Rutherglen High School is the larger school with 306 students compared with 104.
- •St Mary's School has grown faster over five years (20% vs 6%).
- •Rutherglen High 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 Rutherglen High School better than St Mary's School?
On the Success Index, St Mary's School ranks higher (49.2 vs 39.1 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 Rutherglen High School and St Mary's School?
About 1.7 km in a straight line, between Rutherglen and Rutherglen in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Rutherglen High School has 8.8 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's School has 11.7.
How do Rutherglen High School and St Mary's School rank in VIC?
Rutherglen High School is 285th of 348 and St Mary's School is 894th of 1,290 among secondary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.