Sale Primary School vs St Mary's Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 1.0 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Sale Primary School
Sale · Government primary · Prep-6
465 students · ICSEA 1003
St Mary's Primary School
Sale · Catholic primary · Prep-6
180 students · ICSEA 1045
| Measure | Sale Primary School Sale VIC | St Mary's Primary School Sale VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 47 Lower 50% | 57 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #943 of 1,290 | #740 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #2934 of 4,908 | #2210 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 465 | 180 |
| Girls / boys | 210 / 255 | 91 / 89 |
| Foundation intake | 68 | 25 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +3% | -1% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1003 | 1045 |
| ICSEA percentile | 48th | 66th |
| Top SEA quarter | 15% | 15% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 32% | 15% |
| Students per teacher | 15.1 | 15.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 30.8 | 11.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 17.1 | 5.8 |
| Language background other than English | 11% | 10% |
| Indigenous students | 9% | 1% |
| Suburb | Sale 3850 | Sale 3850 |
| Council area | Wellington | Wellington |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.saleps.vic.edu.au | www.stmarysale.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Mary's Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (56.6 vs 46.8).
- •St Mary's Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1045 vs 1003), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Sale Primary School is the larger school with 465 students compared with 180.
- •Sale Primary School is a government school while St Mary's Primary 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 Springvale
Frequently asked questions
Is Sale Primary School better than St Mary's Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Mary's Primary School ranks higher (56.6 vs 46.8 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 Sale Primary School and St Mary's Primary School?
About 1.0 km in a straight line, between Sale and Sale in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Sale Primary School has 15.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's Primary School has 15.3.
How do Sale Primary School and St Mary's Primary School rank in VIC?
Sale Primary School is 943rd of 1,290 and St Mary's Primary School is 740th of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.