Busselton Senior High School vs St Mary MacKillop College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Western Australia, 840 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Busselton Senior High School
Busselton · Government high school · 7-12
594 students · ICSEA 952
St Mary MacKillop College
Busselton · Catholic combined · PP-12
1,552 students · ICSEA 1052
| Measure | Busselton Senior High School Busselton WA | St Mary MacKillop College Busselton WA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 31 Lower 50% | 51 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #103 of 140 | #71 of 172 |
| National rank (type) | #1160 of 1,472 | #647 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Combined |
| Year range | 7-12 | PP-12 |
| Students | 594 | 1,552 |
| Girls / boys | 282 / 312 | 794 / 758 |
| Foundation intake | – | 60 |
| Year 7 cohort | 102 | 170 |
| Year 12 cohort | 75 | 116 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -13% | +14% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 952 | 1052 |
| ICSEA percentile | 26th | 69th |
| Top SEA quarter | 6% | 20% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 49% | 15% |
| Students per teacher | 12.4 | 14.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 48.0 | 107.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 29.0 | 70.1 |
| Language background other than English | 9% | 7% |
| Indigenous students | 13% | 2% |
| Suburb | Busselton 6280 | Busselton 6280 |
| Council area | Busselton | Busselton |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.det.wa.edu.au/schoolsonline/overview.do?schoolID=4009 | www.mackillop.wa.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Mary MacKillop College scores higher on the Success Index (50.5 vs 30.8).
- •St Mary MacKillop College has the higher ICSEA (1052 vs 952), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Busselton Senior High School has fewer students per teacher (12.4 vs 14.5).
- •St Mary MacKillop College is the larger school with 1,552 students compared with 594.
- •St Mary MacKillop College has grown faster over five years (14% vs -13%).
- •Busselton Senior High School is a government school while St Mary MacKillop 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 Busselton Senior High School better than St Mary MacKillop College?
On the Success Index, St Mary MacKillop College ranks higher (50.5 vs 30.8 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 Busselton Senior High School and St Mary MacKillop College?
About 840 m in a straight line, between Busselton and Busselton in Western Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Busselton Senior High School has 12.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary MacKillop College has 14.5.
How do Busselton Senior High School and St Mary MacKillop College rank in WA?
Busselton Senior High School is 103rd of 140 and St Mary MacKillop College is 71st of 172 among secondary schools in Western Australia on the 2025 Success Index.