Top 100 private high schools in South Australia (2025)

Independent and Catholic schools offering secondary years. Ranked by the Success Index from official ACARA data; 100 schools shown out of all eligible private high schools in South Australia.

#	School	Sector	Success Index	ICSEA	Students	Students : teacher
1	Pulteney Grammar School Adelaide · Combined · R-12	Independent	86.7 Top 5%	1170	839	8.6
2	St Peter's Collegiate Girls' School Stonyfell · Combined · R-12	Independent	84.5 Top 5%	1180	873	11.4
3	St Peter's College St Peters · Combined · R-12	Independent	83.2 Top 5%	1164	1,585	10.4
4	Wilderness School Medindie · Combined · R-12	Independent	83.0 Top 5%	1176	856	11.1
5	Immanuel College Novar Gardens · Secondary · 7-12	Independent	82.2 Top 5%	1117	1,184	9.7
6	Dara School Morphettville · Combined · R-10	Independent	82.0 Top 10%	1176	93	8.1
7	Pembroke School Kensington Park · Combined · R-12	Independent	80.7 Top 10%	1171	1,672	9.5
8	St John's Grammar School Belair · Combined · R-12	Independent	78.7 Top 10%	1141	1,009	12.3
9	Walford Anglican School for Girls Hyde Park · Combined · R-12	Independent	78.4 Top 10%	1162	400	9.1
10	Prince Alfred College Kent Town · Combined · R-12	Independent	78.0 Top 10%	1143	1,127	8.5
11	Westminster School Marion · Combined · R-12	Independent	77.8 Top 10%	1139	1,401	10.5
12	Saint Ignatius' College Athelstone · Combined · R-12	Catholic	77.6 Top 10%	1151	1,421	11.2
13	Seymour College Glen Osmond · Combined · R-12	Independent	76.2 Top 25%	1150	715	10.8
14	Muirden Senior College Adelaide · Secondary · 11-12	Independent	75.6 Top 25%	1079	91	7.0
15	Mary MacKillop College Kensington · Secondary · 7-12	Catholic	75.5 Top 25%	1077	291	10.8
16	Scotch College Torrens Park · Combined · R-12	Independent	75.5 Top 25%	1146	1,213	11.0
17	University Senior College at Adelaide University Adelaide University · Secondary · 10-12	Independent	75.1 Top 25%	1092	523	11.9
18	Concordia College Highgate · Combined · R-12	Independent	73.9 Top 25%	1140	1,312	12.2
19	Emmaus Christian College South Plympton · Combined · R-12	Independent	72.4 Top 25%	1137	1,084	14.4
20	Endeavour College Mawson Lakes · Secondary · 7-12	Independent	71.4 Top 25%	1083	738	11.6
21	Cornerstone College Mount Barker · Secondary · 7-12	Independent	69.1 Top 25%	1094	754	13.4
22	Specialised Assistance School For Youth (SASY) Adelaide · Secondary · 8-12	Independent	68.8 Top 25%	1026	205	9.5
23	Loreto College Marryatville · Combined · R-12	Catholic	68.7 Top 25%	1098	717	10.9
24	Gleeson College Golden Grove · Secondary · 7-12	Catholic	68.3 Top 25%	1055	941	11.7
25	The Hills Montessori School Aldgate · Combined · R-9	Independent	68.1 Top 25%	1105	133	10.6
26	Mercedes College Springfield · Combined · R-12	Catholic	67.4 Top 25%	1133	1,111	12.0
27	The Hills Christian Community School Verdun · Combined · R-12	Independent	66.8 Top 25%	1092	640	13.1
28	Mount Barker Waldorf School Mount Barker · Combined · R-12	Independent	66.7 Top 25%	1087	321	10.8
29	Kildare College Holden Hill · Secondary · 7-12	Catholic	65.5 Top 50%	1051	768	13.1
30	IQRA College O'Halloran Hill · Combined · R-12	Independent	65.1 Top 50%	1067	734	13.9
31	Southern Montessori School O'Sullivan Beach · Combined · R-9	Independent	64.8 Top 50%	1095	230	12.5
32	Cedar College Northgate · Combined · R-12	Independent	64.6 Top 50%	1090	884	13.2
33	Sacred Heart College Somerton Park · Combined · 7-12	Catholic	64.4 Top 50%	1083	2,033	13.1
34	Pedare Christian College Golden Grove · Combined · R-12	Independent	63.7 Top 50%	1097	1,146	13.5
35	St George College Mile End · Combined · R-12	Independent	63.7 Top 50%	1046	350	8.2
36	Temple Christian College Mile End · Secondary · 7-12	Independent	62.4 Top 50%	1043	1,151	12.6
37	St Dominic's Priory College North Adelaide · Combined · R-12	Catholic	61.9 Top 50%	1080	658	12.0
38	Christian Brothers College Adelaide · Combined · R-12	Catholic	61.2 Top 50%	1074	990	12.3
39	Investigator College Victor Harbor · Combined · R-12	Independent	60.9 Top 50%	1065	668	12.3
40	St Aloysius College Adelaide · Combined · R-12	Catholic	59.5 Top 50%	1081	1,091	11.6
41	Torrens Valley Christian School Hope Valley · Combined · R-12	Independent	59.5 Top 50%	1085	565	14.1
42	Sunrise Christian School Marion Marion · Combined · R-9	Independent	58.9 Top 50%	1090	320	14.4
43	Trinity College Senior Evanston South · Secondary · 11-12	Independent	58.9 Top 50%	1025	669	11.4
44	Pinnacle College Elizabeth East · Combined · R-12	Independent	58.5 Top 50%	1049	993	12.5
45	Faith Lutheran College Tanunda · Combined · R-12	Independent	58.3 Top 50%	1060	816	11.2
46	St Joseph's School Clare · Combined · R-9	Catholic	56.9 Top 50%	1074	314	14.1
47	St Paul's College Gilles Plains · Combined · R-12	Catholic	56.6 Top 50%	1037	1,191	12.8
48	King's Baptist Grammar School Wynn Vale · Combined · R-12	Independent	56.5 Top 50%	1090	1,280	14.4
49	Willunga Waldorf School Willunga · Combined · R-12	Independent	56.5 Top 50%	1072	390	12.3
50	St Mary's College Adelaide · Combined · R-12	Catholic	56.4 Top 50%	1073	659	10.8
51	Tatachilla Lutheran College Mclaren Vale · Combined · R-12	Independent	55.6 Top 50%	1068	1,103	12.5
52	Prescott College Prospect · Secondary · 7-12	Independent	55.0 Top 50%	1016	206	9.6
53	Rostrevor College Woodforde · Combined · R-12	Catholic	54.7 Top 50%	1064	985	13.6
54	St Francis de Sales College Mount Barker · Combined · R-12	Catholic	54.7 Top 50%	1051	1,047	15.3
55	Woodcroft College Morphett Vale · Combined · R-12	Independent	54.3 Top 50%	1071	1,534	14.4
56	Nazareth Catholic College Flinders Park · Combined · R-12	Catholic	53.8 Top 50%	1049	2,576	13.2
57	Portside Christian College New Port · Combined · R-12	Independent	53.5 Top 50%	1067	626	14.0
58	St Michael's College Henley Beach · Combined · R-12	Catholic	52.8 Top 50%	1064	2,193	13.2
59	Sports College South Australia Gepps Cross · Secondary · 11-12	Independent	52.2 Top 50%	1015	404	18.5
60	Encounter Lutheran College Victor Harbor · Combined · R-12	Independent	51.4 Top 50%	1048	748	13.4
61	St Francis of Assisi College Renmark · Secondary · 7-11	Catholic	51.0 Top 50%	1004	228	12.2
62	Tenison Woods College Mount Gambier · Combined · R-12	Catholic	50.9 Top 50%	1031	1,552	12.3
63	Cabra Dominican College Cumberland Park · Combined · 7-12	Catholic	50.5 Top 50%	1065	1,165	14.8
64	Blackfriars Priory School Prospect · Combined · R-12	Catholic	49.9 Top 50%	1037	786	13.9
65	Rivergum Christian College Glossop · Combined · R-12	Independent	49.9 Top 50%	1006	141	11.8
66	St Martins Lutheran College Mount Gambier · Combined · R-12	Independent	49.7 Top 50%	1028	810	12.1
67	St Patrick's Technical College Edinburgh North · Secondary · 10-12	Catholic	49.6 Lower 50%	998	260	10.7
68	Garden College Parafield Gardens · Combined · R-12	Independent	48.3 Top 50%	1029	351	15.2
69	Heritage College Incorporated Oakden · Combined · R-12	Independent	48.2 Top 50%	1040	437	14.3
70	Navigator College Port Lincoln · Combined · R-12	Independent	47.9 Top 50%	1013	466	11.0
71	Prescott College Southern Morphett Vale · Combined · R-12	Independent	47.4 Lower 50%	1036	707	12.1
72	Southern Vales Christian College Morphett Vale · Combined · R-12	Independent	47.4 Lower 50%	1038	503	10.8
73	Sunrise Christian School Naracoorte Naracoorte · Combined · R-9	Independent	47.1 Lower 50%	1032	109	12.7
74	Trinity College South Evanston South · Combined · R-10	Independent	45.7 Lower 50%	1039	957	15.5
75	Mount Carmel College Rosewater · Combined · R-12	Catholic	45.6 Lower 50%	1008	1,204	14.4
76	Australian Islamic College Adelaide West Croydon · Combined · R-12	Independent	45.3 Lower 50%	1016	589	14.7
77	Horizon Christian School Balaklava · Combined · R-12	Independent	44.5 Lower 50%	989	515	11.9
78	Cardijn College Noarlunga Downs · Combined · R-12	Catholic	44.1 Lower 50%	1019	2,247	13.2
79	Maitland Lutheran School Maitland · Combined · R-12	Independent	43.7 Lower 50%	984	480	12.3
80	Mid North Christian College Port Pirie · Combined · R-12	Independent	43.2 Lower 50%	998	203	11.3
81	Trinity College North Evanston South · Combined · R-10	Independent	42.9 Lower 50%	1040	914	15.6
82	Trinity College Blakeview Blakeview · Combined · R-10	Independent	42.7 Lower 50%	1037	635	14.7
83	St Joseph's School Port Lincoln · Combined · R-12	Catholic	41.9 Lower 50%	1015	829	13.5
84	Tyndale Christian School Salisbury East · Combined · R-12	Independent	41.8 Lower 50%	1016	1,498	12.9
85	Trinity College Gawler River Angle Vale · Combined · R-10	Independent	41.4 Lower 50%	1032	970	16.3
86	Sunrise Christian School Whyalla Whyalla Norrie · Combined · R-10	Independent	40.3 Lower 50%	1006	257	13.1
87	Unity College Murray Bridge · Combined · R-12	Independent	40.2 Lower 50%	1004	761	13.1
88	Thomas More College Salisbury Downs · Secondary · 7-12	Catholic	39.6 Lower 50%	973	1,132	11.8
89	Tyndale Christian School Strathalbyn Strathalbyn · Combined · R-12	Independent	39.6 Lower 50%	1013	317	14.6
90	Harvest Christian College Kadina · Combined · R-12	Independent	38.7 Lower 50%	983	302	12.7
91	Caritas College Port Augusta West · Combined · R-12	Catholic	38.2 Lower 50%	995	541	12.3
92	Xavier College Gawler Belt · Combined · R-12	Catholic	38.2 Lower 50%	1001	2,532	14.0
93	Tyndale Christian School Murray Bridge Murray Bridge · Combined · R-12	Independent	37.5 Lower 50%	940	263	10.7
94	St Mary MacKillop School Wallaroo · Combined · R-9	Catholic	36.6 Lower 50%	968	139	9.7
95	St Mark's College Port Pirie · Combined · R-12	Catholic	36.1 Lower 50%	1002	945	14.1
96	Blakes Crossing Christian College Blakeview · Combined · R-12	Independent	35.6 Lower 50%	983	712	13.7
97	St Barbara's Parish School Roxby Downs · Combined · R-9	Catholic	35.6 Lower 50%	975	201	12.7
98	Ngutu College Woodville North · Combined · R-11	Independent	33.8 Lower 50%	909	260	9.4
99	Samaritan College Whyalla · Combined · R-12	Catholic	33.3 Lower 50%	979	881	13.9
100	Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College Enfield · Secondary · 7-12	Catholic	31.6 Lower 50%	960	478	12.7

There are 106 private high schools in South Australia eligible for this list; the top 100 are shown. Pulteney Grammar School in Adelaide is ranked first with a Success Index of 86.7 and an ICSEA of 1170. 0 of the top 100 are government schools and 100 are Catholic or independent; the median ICSEA across the list is 1051.

The top 10 private high schools in South Australia for 2025 are: 1. Pulteney Grammar School (Adelaide); 2. St Peter's Collegiate Girls' School (Stonyfell); 3. St Peter's College (St Peters); 4. Wilderness School (Medindie); 5. Immanuel College (Novar Gardens); 6. Dara School (Morphettville); 7. Pembroke School (Kensington Park); 8. St John's Grammar School (Belair); 9. Walford Anglican School for Girls (Hyde Park); 10. Prince Alfred College (Kent Town).

Download this table as CSV · free to reuse with attribution to ACARA and Success Tutoring

Private High Schools in:Australia Adelaide

Free academic assessment

Aiming for a top private secondary school?

Entry to high-demand schools, selective streams and scholarships rewards strong fundamentals. A free assessment shows where your child stands today and what to work on.

Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
Centres across NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA and ACT

Frequently asked questions

What is the best private secondary school in South Australia?

Pulteney Grammar School in Adelaide ranks first among private high schools in South Australia with a Success Index of 86.7 out of 100 and an ICSEA of 1170.

How are private high schools in South Australia ranked?

Each school's Success Index combines five factors from ACARA's 2025 school profile data: ICSEA (50%), share of students in the top socio-educational quarter (15%), students per teacher (15%), five-year enrolment growth (10%) and five-year ICSEA trend (10%). Each factor is a percentile against schools of the same type nationally. Schools with fewer than 80 students are excluded.

How many public schools are in the top 100 private high schools in South Australia?

0 of the top 100 private high schools in South Australia are government schools; 100 are Catholic or independent.

Do these rankings include NAPLAN or ATAR results?

Not yet. ACARA does not publish school-level NAPLAN results in bulk, and ATAR results are released by state authorities in different formats. The Success Index uses the measures ACARA publishes for every school so that all schools are compared on identical data. Where a school publishes its own results we link to its website.