Adelaide High School vs St Mary's College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in South Australia, 338 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Adelaide High School
Adelaide · Government high school · U, 7-12
1,821 students · ICSEA 1094
St Mary's College
Adelaide · Catholic combined · R-12
659 students · ICSEA 1073
| Measure | Adelaide High School Adelaide SA | St Mary's College Adelaide SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 72 Top 25% | 56 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #11 of 84 | #39 of 145 |
| National rank (type) | #241 of 1,472 | #524 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Combined |
| Year range | U, 7-12 | R-12 |
| Students | 1,821 | 659 |
| Girls / boys | 874 / 947 | 659 / 0 |
| Foundation intake | – | 13 |
| Year 7 cohort | 300 | 79 |
| Year 12 cohort | 300 | 100 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +24% | -22% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1094 | 1073 |
| ICSEA percentile | 83th | 76th |
| Top SEA quarter | 39% | 26% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 8% | 10% |
| Students per teacher | 14.3 | 10.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 127.1 | 60.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 51.4 | 32.1 |
| Language background other than English | 47% | 15% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 1% |
| Suburb | Adelaide 5000 | Adelaide 5000 |
| Council area | Adelaide | Adelaide |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.adelaidehs.sa.edu.au | www.stmarys.sa.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Adelaide High School scores higher on the Success Index (71.7 vs 56.4).
- •Adelaide High School has the higher ICSEA (1094 vs 1073), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Mary's College has fewer students per teacher (10.8 vs 14.3).
- •Adelaide High School is the larger school with 1,821 students compared with 659.
- •Adelaide High School has grown faster over five years (24% vs -22%).
- •Adelaide High School is a government school while St Mary's 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 Adelaide High School better than St Mary's College?
On the Success Index, Adelaide High School ranks higher (71.7 vs 56.4 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 Adelaide High School and St Mary's College?
About 338 m in a straight line, between Adelaide and Adelaide in South Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Adelaide High School has 14.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's College has 10.8.
How do Adelaide High School and St Mary's College rank in SA?
Adelaide High School is 11th of 84 and St Mary's College is 39th of 145 among secondary schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.