Airdale Primary School vs St Mark's College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in South Australia, 1.5 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Airdale Primary School
Port Pirie · Government primary · R-6
119 students · ICSEA 783
St Mark's College
Port Pirie · Catholic combined · R-12
945 students · ICSEA 1002
| Measure | Airdale Primary School Port Pirie SA | St Mark's College Port Pirie SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 18 Lower 50% | 36 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #347 of 348 | #101 of 145 |
| National rank (type) | #4848 of 4,908 | #936 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Combined |
| Year range | R-6 | R-12 |
| Students | 119 | 945 |
| Girls / boys | 57 / 62 | 476 / 469 |
| Foundation intake | 23 | 52 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 83 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 83 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -21% | +5% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 783 | 1002 |
| ICSEA percentile | 2th | 48th |
| Top SEA quarter | 0% | 10% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 84% | 29% |
| Students per teacher | 9.2 | 14.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 13.0 | 66.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 10.3 | 33.8 |
| Language background other than English | 10% | 4% |
| Indigenous students | 45% | 4% |
| Suburb | Port Pirie 5540 | Port Pirie 5540 |
| Council area | Port Pirie | Port Pirie |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | www.airdaleps.sa.edu.au | www.stmarkspirie.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Mark's College scores higher on the Success Index (36.1 vs 17.7).
- •St Mark's College has the higher ICSEA (1002 vs 783), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Airdale Primary School has fewer students per teacher (9.2 vs 14.1).
- •St Mark's College is the larger school with 945 students compared with 119.
- •St Mark's College has grown faster over five years (5% vs -21%).
- •Airdale Primary School is a government school while St Mark'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 Airdale Primary School better than St Mark's College?
On the Success Index, St Mark's College ranks higher (36.1 vs 17.7 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 Airdale Primary School and St Mark's College?
About 1.5 km in a straight line, between Port Pirie and Port Pirie in South Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Airdale Primary School has 9.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mark's College has 14.1.
How do Airdale Primary School and St Mark's College rank in SA?
Airdale Primary School is 347th of 348 and St Mark's College is 101st of 145 among primary schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.