St Mary's Primary School vs St Thomas' 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 Mary's Primary School
Sale · Catholic primary · Prep-6
180 students · ICSEA 1045
St Thomas' School
Sale · Catholic primary · Prep-6
289 students · ICSEA 1039
| Measure | St Mary's Primary School Sale VIC | St Thomas' School Sale VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 57 Top 50% | 58 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #740 of 1,290 | #704 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #2210 of 4,908 | #2090 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Catholic | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 180 | 289 |
| Girls / boys | 91 / 89 | 153 / 136 |
| Foundation intake | 25 | 43 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -1% | -8% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1045 | 1039 |
| ICSEA percentile | 66th | 64th |
| Top SEA quarter | 15% | 14% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 15% | 19% |
| Students per teacher | 15.3 | 14.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 11.8 | 20.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 5.8 | 9.9 |
| Language background other than English | 10% | 6% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 2% |
| Suburb | Sale 3850 | Sale 3850 |
| Council area | Wellington | Wellington |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.stmarysale.catholic.edu.au | www.sttsale.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Thomas' School scores higher on the Success Index (58.0 vs 56.6).
- •St Mary's Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1045 vs 1039), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Thomas' School has fewer students per teacher (14.0 vs 15.3).
- •St Thomas' School is the larger school with 289 students compared with 180.
- •St Mary's Primary School has grown faster over five years (-1% 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 Mary's Primary School better than St Thomas' School?
On the Success Index, St Thomas' School ranks higher (58.0 vs 56.6 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 Mary's Primary School and St Thomas' School?
About 2.2 km in a straight line, between Sale and Sale in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
St Mary's Primary School has 15.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Thomas' School has 14.0.
How do St Mary's Primary School and St Thomas' School rank in VIC?
St Mary's Primary School is 740th of 1,290 and St Thomas' School is 704th of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.