Sacred Heart School vs St Mary's School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 1.4 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Sacred Heart School
Preston · Catholic primary · Prep-6
117 students · ICSEA 1090
St Mary's School
Thornbury · Catholic primary · Prep-6
113 students · ICSEA 1089
| Measure | Sacred Heart School Preston VIC | St Mary's School Thornbury VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 74 Top 25% | 72 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #301 of 1,290 | #362 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #661 of 4,908 | #854 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Catholic | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 117 | 113 |
| Girls / boys | 59 / 58 | 61 / 52 |
| Foundation intake | 21 | 8 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +6% | -54% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1090 | 1089 |
| ICSEA percentile | 81th | 81th |
| Top SEA quarter | 37% | 36% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 12% | 13% |
| Students per teacher | 12.8 | 9.7 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 9.1 | 11.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 6.1 | 7.1 |
| Language background other than English | 80% | 16% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 1% |
| Suburb | Preston 3072 | Thornbury 3071 |
| Council area | Darebin | Darebin |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.shpreston.catholic.edu.au | www.smthornbury.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Sacred Heart School scores higher on the Success Index (73.7 vs 71.7).
- •Sacred Heart School has the higher ICSEA (1090 vs 1089), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Mary's School has fewer students per teacher (9.7 vs 12.8).
- •Sacred Heart School is the larger school with 117 students compared with 113.
- •Sacred Heart School has grown faster over five years (6% vs -54%).
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 Sacred Heart School better than St Mary's School?
On the Success Index, Sacred Heart School ranks higher (73.7 vs 71.7 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 Sacred Heart School and St Mary's School?
About 1.4 km in a straight line, between Preston and Thornbury in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Sacred Heart School has 12.8 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's School has 9.7.
How do Sacred Heart School and St Mary's School rank in VIC?
Sacred Heart School is 301st of 1,290 and St Mary's School is 362nd of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.