St Joseph's School vs St Paul the Apostle Catholic Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 2.2 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 Paul the Apostle Catholic Primary School
Doreen · Catholic primary · Prep-6
454 students · ICSEA 1080
| Measure | St Joseph's School Mernda VIC | St Paul the Apostle Catholic Primary School Doreen VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 73 Top 25% | 70 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #316 of 1,290 | #415 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #708 of 4,908 | #1041 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Catholic | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 497 | 454 |
| Girls / boys | 229 / 268 | 231 / 223 |
| Foundation intake | 78 | 60 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +37% | +44% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1094 | 1080 |
| ICSEA percentile | 82th | 78th |
| Top SEA quarter | 35% | 29% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 6% | 9% |
| Students per teacher | 15.5 | 16.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 32.0 | 27.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 18.7 | 14.5 |
| Language background other than English | 76% | 42% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 1% |
| Suburb | Mernda 3754 | Doreen 3754 |
| Council area | Whittlesea | Whittlesea |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.stjosephsschoolmernda.org | www.spadoreen.catholic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •St Joseph's School scores higher on the Success Index (73.3 vs 69.7).
- •St Joseph's School has the higher ICSEA (1094 vs 1080), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Joseph's School has fewer students per teacher (15.5 vs 16.8).
- •St Joseph's School is the larger school with 497 students compared with 454.
- •St Paul the Apostle Catholic Primary School has grown faster over five years (44% vs 37%).
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 Craigieburn
Frequently asked questions
Is St Joseph's School better than St Paul the Apostle Catholic Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Joseph's School ranks higher (73.3 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 Joseph's School and St Paul the Apostle Catholic Primary School?
About 2.2 km in a straight line, between Mernda and Doreen 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 Paul the Apostle Catholic Primary School has 16.8.
How do St Joseph's School and St Paul the Apostle Catholic Primary School rank in VIC?
St Joseph's School is 316th of 1,290 and St Paul the Apostle Catholic Primary School is 415th of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.