St Mary's School vs St Paul the Apostle Catholic Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 9.8 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
St Mary's School
Whittlesea · Catholic primary · Prep-6
262 students · ICSEA 1032
St Paul the Apostle Catholic Primary School
Doreen · Catholic primary · Prep-6
454 students · ICSEA 1080
| Measure | St Mary's School Whittlesea VIC | St Paul the Apostle Catholic Primary School Doreen VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 55 Top 50% | 70 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #780 of 1,290 | #415 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #2337 of 4,908 | #1041 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Catholic | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 262 | 454 |
| Girls / boys | 133 / 129 | 231 / 223 |
| Foundation intake | 51 | 60 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -14% | +44% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1032 | 1080 |
| ICSEA percentile | 61th | 78th |
| Top SEA quarter | 12% | 29% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 22% | 9% |
| Students per teacher | 14.6 | 16.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 17.9 | 27.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 10.0 | 14.5 |
| Language background other than English | 4% | 42% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 1% |
| Suburb | Whittlesea 3757 | Doreen 3754 |
| Council area | Whittlesea | Whittlesea |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.smwhittlesea.catholic.edu.au | www.spadoreen.catholic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •St Paul the Apostle Catholic Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (69.7 vs 54.9).
- •St Paul the Apostle Catholic Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1080 vs 1032), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Mary's School has fewer students per teacher (14.6 vs 16.8).
- •St Paul the Apostle Catholic Primary School is the larger school with 454 students compared with 262.
- •St Paul the Apostle Catholic Primary School has grown faster over five years (44% 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 Mary's School better than St Paul the Apostle Catholic Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Paul the Apostle Catholic Primary School ranks higher (69.7 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 Mary's School and St Paul the Apostle Catholic Primary School?
About 9.8 km in a straight line, between Whittlesea and Doreen in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
St Mary's School has 14.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Paul the Apostle Catholic Primary School has 16.8.
How do St Mary's School and St Paul the Apostle Catholic Primary School rank in VIC?
St Mary's School is 780th 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.