Caritas College vs Port Augusta Secondary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in South Australia, 2.1 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Caritas College
Port Augusta West · Catholic combined · R-12
541 students · ICSEA 995
Port Augusta Secondary School
Port Augusta · Government high school · U, 7-12
662 students · ICSEA 848
| Measure | Caritas College Port Augusta West SA | Port Augusta Secondary School Port Augusta SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 38 Lower 50% | 21 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #90 of 145 | #77 of 84 |
| National rank (type) | #894 of 1,259 | #1402 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Combined | Secondary |
| Year range | R-12 | U, 7-12 |
| Students | 541 | 662 |
| Girls / boys | 291 / 250 | 328 / 334 |
| Foundation intake | 39 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 62 | 96 |
| Year 12 cohort | 32 | 75 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +22% | +7% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 995 | 848 |
| ICSEA percentile | 45th | 5th |
| Top SEA quarter | 14% | 3% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 26% | 67% |
| Students per teacher | 12.3 | 11.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 43.8 | 59.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 19.4 | 46.9 |
| Language background other than English | 11% | 46% |
| Indigenous students | 16% | 48% |
| Suburb | Port Augusta West 5700 | Port Augusta 5700 |
| Council area | Port Augusta | Port Augusta |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | www.cc.catholic.edu.au | www.pass.sa.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Caritas College scores higher on the Success Index (38.2 vs 20.9).
- •Caritas College has the higher ICSEA (995 vs 848), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Port Augusta Secondary School has fewer students per teacher (11.0 vs 12.3).
- •Port Augusta Secondary School is the larger school with 662 students compared with 541.
- •Caritas College has grown faster over five years (22% vs 7%).
- •Caritas College is a catholic school while Port Augusta Secondary School is a government 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 Caritas College better than Port Augusta Secondary School?
On the Success Index, Caritas College ranks higher (38.2 vs 20.9 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 Caritas College and Port Augusta Secondary School?
About 2.1 km in a straight line, between Port Augusta West and Port Augusta in South Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Caritas College has 12.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Port Augusta Secondary School has 11.0.
How do Caritas College and Port Augusta Secondary School rank in SA?
Caritas College is 90th of 145 and Port Augusta Secondary School is 77th of 84 among combined schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.