Clarkson Community High School vs Merriwa Education Support Centre
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Western Australia, 1.5 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Clarkson Community High School
Clarkson · Government high school · 7-12
325 students · ICSEA 923
Merriwa Education Support Centre
Merriwa · Government special · K-6
106 students · ICSEA 983
| Measure | Clarkson Community High School Clarkson WA | Merriwa Education Support Centre Merriwa WA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 29 Lower 50% | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | #109 of 140 | – |
| National rank (type) | #1201 of 1,472 | – |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Special |
| Year range | 7-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 325 | 106 |
| Girls / boys | 146 / 179 | 27 / 79 |
| Foundation intake | – | 10 |
| Year 7 cohort | 59 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 33 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +0% | +112% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 923 | 983 |
| ICSEA percentile | 16th | 39th |
| Top SEA quarter | 4% | 7% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 56% | 37% |
| Students per teacher | 11.5 | 5.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 28.3 | 18.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 20.5 | 46.0 |
| Language background other than English | 12% | 20% |
| Indigenous students | 17% | 8% |
| Suburb | Clarkson 6030 | Merriwa 6030 |
| Council area | Wanneroo | Wanneroo |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.det.wa.edu.au/schoolsonline/overview.do?schoolID=4160 | www.det.wa.edu.au/schoolsonline/overview.do?schoolID=6092 |
The verdict
- •Merriwa Education Support Centre has the higher ICSEA (983 vs 923), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Merriwa Education Support Centre has fewer students per teacher (5.6 vs 11.5).
- •Clarkson Community High School is the larger school with 325 students compared with 106.
- •Merriwa Education Support Centre has grown faster over five years (112% vs 0%).
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 Clarkson Community High School better than Merriwa Education Support Centre?
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 Clarkson Community High School and Merriwa Education Support Centre?
About 1.5 km in a straight line, between Clarkson and Merriwa in Western Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Clarkson Community High School has 11.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Merriwa Education Support Centre has 5.6.
How do Clarkson Community High School and Merriwa Education Support Centre rank in WA?
Clarkson Community High School is 109th of 140 and Merriwa Education Support Centre is unranked among secondary schools in Western Australia on the 2025 Success Index.