St John's College Preston vs St Mary's School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Victoria, 1.2 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
St John's College Preston
Preston · Independent combined · Prep-12
345 students · ICSEA 1066
St Mary's School
Thornbury · Catholic primary · Prep-6
113 students · ICSEA 1089
| Measure | St John's College Preston Preston VIC | St Mary's School Thornbury VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 70 Top 25% | 72 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #83 of 239 | #362 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #268 of 1,259 | #854 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Independent | Catholic |
| Type | Combined | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-12 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 345 | 113 |
| Girls / boys | 161 / 184 | 61 / 52 |
| Foundation intake | 35 | 8 |
| Year 7 cohort | 41 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 20 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +35% | -54% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1066 | 1089 |
| ICSEA percentile | 74th | 81th |
| Top SEA quarter | 25% | 36% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 13% | 13% |
| Students per teacher | 8.6 | 9.7 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 40.3 | 11.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 11.3 | 7.1 |
| Language background other than English | 32% | 16% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 1% |
| Suburb | Preston 3072 | Thornbury 3071 |
| Council area | Darebin | Darebin |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.stjohnspreston.vic.edu.au | www.smthornbury.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Mary's School scores higher on the Success Index (71.7 vs 69.7).
- •St Mary's School has the higher ICSEA (1089 vs 1066), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St John's College Preston has fewer students per teacher (8.6 vs 9.7).
- •St John's College Preston is the larger school with 345 students compared with 113.
- •St John's College Preston has grown faster over five years (35% vs -54%).
- •St John's College Preston is a independent 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 St John's College Preston better than St Mary's School?
On the Success Index, St Mary's School ranks higher (71.7 vs 69.7 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 St John's College Preston and St Mary's School?
About 1.2 km in a straight line, between Preston and Thornbury in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
St John's College Preston has 8.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's School has 9.7.
How do St John's College Preston and St Mary's School rank in VIC?
St John's College Preston is 83rd of 239 and St Mary's School is 362nd of 1,290 among combined schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.