St Joseph's School vs St Mary's School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 9.9 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
St Joseph's School
Mernda · Catholic primary · Prep-6
497 students · ICSEA 1094
St Mary's School
Whittlesea · Catholic primary · Prep-6
262 students · ICSEA 1032
| Measure | St Joseph's School Mernda VIC | St Mary's School Whittlesea VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 73 Top 25% | 55 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #316 of 1,290 | #780 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #708 of 4,908 | #2337 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Catholic | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 497 | 262 |
| Girls / boys | 229 / 268 | 133 / 129 |
| Foundation intake | 78 | 51 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +37% | -14% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1094 | 1032 |
| ICSEA percentile | 82th | 61th |
| Top SEA quarter | 35% | 12% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 6% | 22% |
| Students per teacher | 15.5 | 14.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 32.0 | 17.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 18.7 | 10.0 |
| Language background other than English | 76% | 4% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 3% |
| Suburb | Mernda 3754 | Whittlesea 3757 |
| Council area | Whittlesea | Whittlesea |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.stjosephsschoolmernda.org | www.smwhittlesea.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Joseph's School scores higher on the Success Index (73.3 vs 54.9).
- •St Joseph's School has the higher ICSEA (1094 vs 1032), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Mary's School has fewer students per teacher (14.6 vs 15.5).
- •St Joseph's School is the larger school with 497 students compared with 262.
- •St Joseph's School has grown faster over five years (37% vs -14%).
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 Joseph's School better than St Mary's School?
On the Success Index, St Joseph's School ranks higher (73.3 vs 54.9 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 Joseph's School and St Mary's School?
About 9.9 km in a straight line, between Mernda and Whittlesea in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
St Joseph's School has 15.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's School has 14.6.
How do St Joseph's School and St Mary's School rank in VIC?
St Joseph's School is 316th of 1,290 and St Mary's School is 780th of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.