Brighton Secondary School vs Sacred Heart College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in South Australia, 787 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Brighton Secondary School
North Brighton · Government high school · 7-12
1,737 students · ICSEA 1071
Sacred Heart College
Somerton Park · Catholic combined · 7-12
2,033 students · ICSEA 1083
| Measure | Brighton Secondary School North Brighton SA | Sacred Heart College Somerton Park SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 65 Top 50% | 64 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #20 of 84 | #24 of 145 |
| National rank (type) | #402 of 1,472 | #384 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Combined |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 1,737 | 2,033 |
| Girls / boys | 868 / 869 | 940 / 1,093 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 308 | 360 |
| Year 12 cohort | 257 | 325 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +8% | +9% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1071 | 1083 |
| ICSEA percentile | 76th | 80th |
| Top SEA quarter | 30% | 32% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 12% | 9% |
| Students per teacher | 15.5 | 13.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 112.2 | 155.3 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 39.4 | 83.9 |
| Language background other than English | 19% | 4% |
| Indigenous students | 4% | 2% |
| Suburb | North Brighton 5048 | Somerton Park 5044 |
| Council area | Holdfast Bay | Holdfast Bay |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.brightonss.sa.edu.au | www.shc.sa.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (65.0 vs 64.4).
- •Sacred Heart College has the higher ICSEA (1083 vs 1071), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Sacred Heart College has fewer students per teacher (13.1 vs 15.5).
- •Sacred Heart College is the larger school with 2,033 students compared with 1,737.
- •Brighton Secondary School is a government school while Sacred Heart 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 Brighton Secondary School better than Sacred Heart College?
The two schools are very close on the Success Index. Differences in sector, size, year range and distance from home will matter more than the score.
How far apart are Brighton Secondary School and Sacred Heart College?
About 787 m in a straight line, between North Brighton and Somerton Park in South Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Brighton Secondary School has 15.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Sacred Heart College has 13.1.
How do Brighton Secondary School and Sacred Heart College rank in SA?
Brighton Secondary School is 20th of 84 and Sacred Heart College is 24th of 145 among secondary schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.