Birdwood High School vs St Benedict School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in South Australia, 8.1 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
St Benedict School
Mount Torrens · Independent primary · R-5
49 students · ICSEA 1109
| Measure | Birdwood High School Birdwood SA | St Benedict School Mount Torrens SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 46 Lower 50% | 81 Top 5% |
| State rank (type) | #41 of 84 | – |
| National rank (type) | #822 of 1,472 | – |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | R-5 |
| Students | 555 | 49 |
| Girls / boys | 260 / 295 | 24 / 25 |
| Foundation intake | – | 9 |
| Year 7 cohort | 108 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 78 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +31% | – |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 996 | 1109 |
| ICSEA percentile | 45th | 87th |
| Top SEA quarter | 9% | 43% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 36% | 5% |
| Students per teacher | 13.2 | 11.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 41.9 | 4.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 14.6 | 0.8 |
| Language background other than English | 2% | 7% |
| 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 | stbenedictschool.sa.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •St Benedict School scores higher on the Success Index (80.9 vs 46.0).
- •St Benedict School has the higher ICSEA (1109 vs 996), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Benedict School has fewer students per teacher (11.1 vs 13.2).
- •Birdwood High School is the larger school with 555 students compared with 49.
- •Birdwood High School is a government school while St Benedict 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 St Benedict School?
On the Success Index, St Benedict School ranks higher (80.9 vs 46.0 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 St Benedict School?
About 8.1 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 St Benedict School has 11.1.
How do Birdwood High School and St Benedict School rank in SA?
Birdwood High School is 41st of 84 and St Benedict School is unranked among secondary schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.