Birdwood High School vs Mount Torrens Christian School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in South Australia, 5.7 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Birdwood High School
Birdwood · Government high school · 7-12
555 students · ICSEA 996
Mount Torrens Christian School
Mount Torrens · Independent combined · R-12
57 students · ICSEA 999
| Measure | Birdwood High School Birdwood SA | Mount Torrens Christian School Mount Torrens SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 46 Lower 50% | 44 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #41 of 84 | – |
| National rank (type) | #822 of 1,472 | – |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Secondary | Combined |
| Year range | 7-12 | R-12 |
| Students | 555 | 57 |
| Girls / boys | 260 / 295 | 22 / 35 |
| Foundation intake | – | 6 |
| Year 7 cohort | 108 | 9 |
| Year 12 cohort | 78 | 2 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +31% | +46% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 996 | 999 |
| ICSEA percentile | 45th | 46th |
| Top SEA quarter | 9% | 7% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 36% | 38% |
| Students per teacher | 13.2 | 7.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 41.9 | 7.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 14.6 | 3.0 |
| Language background other than English | 2% | 30% |
| Indigenous students | 5% | 0% |
| Suburb | Birdwood 5234 | Mount Torrens 5244 |
| Council area | Adelaide Hills | Adelaide Hills |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.birdwoodhs.sa.edu.au | mtcs.sa.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Birdwood High School scores higher on the Success Index (46.0 vs 44.4).
- •Mount Torrens Christian School has the higher ICSEA (999 vs 996), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Mount Torrens Christian School has fewer students per teacher (7.9 vs 13.2).
- •Birdwood High School is the larger school with 555 students compared with 57.
- •Mount Torrens Christian School has grown faster over five years (46% vs 31%).
- •Birdwood High School is a government school while Mount Torrens Christian School is an independent 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 Birdwood High School better than Mount Torrens Christian School?
On the Success Index, Birdwood High School ranks higher (46.0 vs 44.4 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 Birdwood High School and Mount Torrens Christian School?
About 5.7 km in a straight line, between Birdwood and Mount Torrens in South Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Birdwood High School has 13.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Mount Torrens Christian School has 7.9.
How do Birdwood High School and Mount Torrens Christian School rank in SA?
Birdwood High School is 41st of 84 and Mount Torrens Christian School is unranked among secondary schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.