St Mary's School vs Wild Cherry School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 3.0 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
St Mary's School
Bairnsdale · Catholic primary · Prep-6
473 students · ICSEA 1024
Wild Cherry School
Bairnsdale · Independent primary · Prep-6
43 students · ICSEA 1053
| Measure | St Mary's School Bairnsdale VIC | Wild Cherry School Bairnsdale VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 48 Lower 50% | 65 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #911 of 1,290 | – |
| National rank (type) | #2811 of 4,908 | – |
| Sector | Catholic | Independent |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 473 | 43 |
| Girls / boys | 217 / 256 | 20 / 23 |
| Foundation intake | 68 | 7 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +9% | -4% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1024 | 1053 |
| ICSEA percentile | 58th | 69th |
| Top SEA quarter | 13% | 26% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 24% | 14% |
| Students per teacher | 17.6 | 9.7 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 26.8 | 4.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 16.8 | 2.8 |
| Language background other than English | 3% | 10% |
| Indigenous students | 4% | 7% |
| Suburb | Bairnsdale 3875 | Bairnsdale 3875 |
| Council area | East Gippsland | East Gippsland |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | www.stmbairns.catholic.edu.au | www.wildcherry.vic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Wild Cherry School scores higher on the Success Index (64.7 vs 48.4).
- •Wild Cherry School has the higher ICSEA (1053 vs 1024), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Wild Cherry School has fewer students per teacher (9.7 vs 17.6).
- •St Mary's School is the larger school with 473 students compared with 43.
- •St Mary's School has grown faster over five years (9% vs -4%).
- •St Mary's School is a catholic school while Wild Cherry School is an independent 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.
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 Springvale
Frequently asked questions
Is St Mary's School better than Wild Cherry School?
On the Success Index, Wild Cherry School ranks higher (64.7 vs 48.4 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 School and Wild Cherry School?
About 3.0 km in a straight line, between Bairnsdale and Bairnsdale in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
St Mary's School has 17.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Wild Cherry School has 9.7.
How do St Mary's School and Wild Cherry School rank in VIC?
St Mary's School is 911th of 1,290 and Wild Cherry School is unranked among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.