Alta-1 College vs Mater Dei College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Western Australia, 1.8 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Alta-1 College
Joondalup · Independent special · 7-12
845 students · ICSEA 950
Mater Dei College
Edgewater · Catholic high school · 7-12
1,047 students · ICSEA 1056
| Measure | Alta-1 College Joondalup WA | Mater Dei College Edgewater WA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 68 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | – | #19 of 140 |
| National rank (type) | – | #327 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Independent | Catholic |
| Type | Special | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 845 | 1,047 |
| Girls / boys | 483 / 362 | 532 / 515 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 29 | 203 |
| Year 12 cohort | 77 | 139 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +7% | +26% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 950 | 1056 |
| ICSEA percentile | 25th | 71th |
| Top SEA quarter | 4% | 21% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 56% | 14% |
| Students per teacher | 9.4 | 12.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 89.8 | 83.5 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 87.0 | 39.4 |
| Language background other than English | 3% | 13% |
| Indigenous students | 7% | 2% |
| Suburb | Joondalup 6027 | Edgewater 6027 |
| Council area | Joondalup | Joondalup |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.alta-1.wa.edu.au | www.mdc.wa.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Mater Dei College has the higher ICSEA (1056 vs 950), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Alta-1 College has fewer students per teacher (9.4 vs 12.5).
- •Mater Dei College is the larger school with 1,047 students compared with 845.
- •Mater Dei College has grown faster over five years (26% vs 7%).
- •Alta-1 College is a independent school while Mater Dei College is a catholic 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.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Alta-1 College better than Mater Dei College?
The two schools are very close on the Success Index. Differences in sector, size, year range and distance from home will matter more than the score.
How far apart are Alta-1 College and Mater Dei College?
About 1.8 km in a straight line, between Joondalup and Edgewater in Western Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Alta-1 College has 9.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Mater Dei College has 12.5.
How do Alta-1 College and Mater Dei College rank in WA?
Alta-1 College is unranked and Mater Dei College is 19th of 140 among special schools in Western Australia on the 2025 Success Index.