St Catherine's School vs St Clare'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.
St Catherine's School
Lalor · Catholic primary · Prep-6
289 students · ICSEA 1036
St Clare's School
Thomastown · Catholic primary · Prep-6
319 students · ICSEA 1043
| Measure | St Catherine's School Lalor VIC | St Clare's School Thomastown VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 60 Top 50% | 64 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #653 of 1,290 | #550 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #1928 of 4,908 | #1550 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Catholic | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 289 | 319 |
| Girls / boys | 146 / 143 | 151 / 168 |
| Foundation intake | 42 | 50 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -8% | +2% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1036 | 1043 |
| ICSEA percentile | 63th | 65th |
| Top SEA quarter | 14% | 17% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 21% | 19% |
| Students per teacher | 12.4 | 14.2 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 23.2 | 22.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 9.4 | 10.1 |
| Language background other than English | 54% | 72% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 0% |
| Suburb | Lalor 3075 | Thomastown 3074 |
| Council area | Whittlesea | Whittlesea |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.sclalorwest.catholic.edu.au | www.stclaresthomastown.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Clare's School scores higher on the Success Index (64.0 vs 60.0).
- •St Clare's School has the higher ICSEA (1043 vs 1036), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Catherine's School has fewer students per teacher (12.4 vs 14.2).
- •St Clare's School is the larger school with 319 students compared with 289.
- •St Clare's School has grown faster over five years (2% vs -8%).
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 St Catherine's School better than St Clare's School?
On the Success Index, St Clare's School ranks higher (64.0 vs 60.0 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 St Catherine's School and St Clare's School?
About 1.4 km in a straight line, between Lalor and Thomastown in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
St Catherine's School has 12.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Clare's School has 14.2.
How do St Catherine's School and St Clare's School rank in VIC?
St Catherine's School is 653rd of 1,290 and St Clare's School is 550th of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.