Santa Maria College vs Wales Street Primary 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.
Santa Maria College
Northcote · Catholic high school · 7-12
779 students · ICSEA 1110
Wales Street Primary School
Thornbury · Government primary · Prep-6
616 students · ICSEA 1140
| Measure | Santa Maria College Northcote VIC | Wales Street Primary School Thornbury VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 81 Top 5% | 74 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #27 of 348 | #309 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #59 of 1,472 | #689 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 779 | 616 |
| Girls / boys | 779 / 0 | 308 / 308 |
| Foundation intake | – | 90 |
| Year 7 cohort | 141 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 136 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | 32 | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | 8.6% | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -12% | +3% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1110 | 1140 |
| ICSEA percentile | 87th | 93th |
| Top SEA quarter | 43% | 58% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 8% | 5% |
| Students per teacher | 11.3 | 16.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 69.2 | 37.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 33.5 | 13.3 |
| Language background other than English | 11% | 20% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 1% |
| Suburb | Northcote 3070 | Thornbury 3071 |
| Council area | Darebin | Darebin |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.santamaria.vic.edu.au | www.walesstps.vic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Santa Maria College scores higher on the Success Index (80.8 vs 73.5).
- •Wales Street Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1140 vs 1110), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Santa Maria College has fewer students per teacher (11.3 vs 16.6).
- •Santa Maria College is the larger school with 779 students compared with 616.
- •Wales Street Primary School has grown faster over five years (3% vs -12%).
- •Santa Maria College is a catholic school while Wales Street Primary School is a government 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 Santa Maria College better than Wales Street Primary School?
On the Success Index, Santa Maria College ranks higher (80.8 vs 73.5 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 Santa Maria College and Wales Street Primary School?
About 1.1 km in a straight line, between Northcote and Thornbury in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Santa Maria College has 11.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Wales Street Primary School has 16.6.
How do Santa Maria College and Wales Street Primary School rank in VIC?
Santa Maria College is 27th of 348 and Wales Street Primary School is 309th of 1,290 among secondary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.