Berri Regional Secondary College vs Penola High School
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in South Australia, 345 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Berri Regional Secondary College
Berri · Government high school · U, 7-12
662 students · ICSEA 935
Penola High School
Penola · Government high school · 7-12
113 students · ICSEA 933
| Measure | Berri Regional Secondary College Berri SA | Penola High School Penola SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 28 Lower 50% | 32 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #69 of 84 | #63 of 84 |
| National rank (type) | #1243 of 1,472 | #1136 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | U, 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 662 | 113 |
| Girls / boys | 331 / 331 | 63 / 50 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 106 | 23 |
| Year 12 cohort | 88 | 10 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +9% | +26% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 935 | 933 |
| ICSEA percentile | 19th | 19th |
| Top SEA quarter | 5% | 4% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 50% | 63% |
| Students per teacher | 13.0 | 8.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 50.9 | 13.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 36.3 | 8.5 |
| Language background other than English | 8% | 2% |
| Indigenous students | 16% | 5% |
| Suburb | Berri 5343 | Penola 5277 |
| Council area | Berri Barmera | Wattle Range |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | brsc.sa.edu.au/ | www.penolahs.sa.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Penola High School scores higher on the Success Index (31.9 vs 27.5).
- •Berri Regional Secondary College has the higher ICSEA (935 vs 933), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Penola High School has fewer students per teacher (8.4 vs 13.0).
- •Berri Regional Secondary College is the larger school with 662 students compared with 113.
- •Penola High School has grown faster over five years (26% vs 9%).
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 Berri Regional Secondary College better than Penola High School?
On the Success Index, Penola High School ranks higher (31.9 vs 27.5 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 Berri Regional Secondary College and Penola High School?
About 345 km in a straight line, between Berri and Penola in South Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Berri Regional Secondary College has 13.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Penola High School has 8.4.
How do Berri Regional Secondary College and Penola High School rank in SA?
Berri Regional Secondary College is 69th of 84 and Penola High School is 63rd of 84 among secondary schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.