Catherine McAuley School vs Elizabeth Downs Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in South Australia, 1.9 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Catherine McAuley School
Craigmore · Catholic primary · R-6
483 students · ICSEA 976
Elizabeth Downs Primary School
Elizabeth Downs · Government primary · U, R-6
420 students · ICSEA 904
| Measure | Catherine McAuley School Craigmore SA | Elizabeth Downs Primary School Elizabeth Downs SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 40 Lower 50% | 37 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #238 of 348 | #247 of 348 |
| National rank (type) | #3454 of 4,908 | #3620 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | R-6 | U, R-6 |
| Students | 483 | 420 |
| Girls / boys | 226 / 257 | 196 / 224 |
| Foundation intake | 83 | 57 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +34% | +22% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 976 | 904 |
| ICSEA percentile | 36th | 12th |
| Top SEA quarter | 5% | 4% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 43% | 69% |
| Students per teacher | 15.0 | 12.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 32.2 | 34.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 25.3 | 24.6 |
| Language background other than English | 9% | 56% |
| Indigenous students | 6% | 11% |
| Suburb | Craigmore 5114 | Elizabeth Downs 5113 |
| Council area | Playford | Playford |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.cms.catholic.edu.au/ | www.elizdownc7.sa.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Catherine McAuley School scores higher on the Success Index (39.5 vs 37.2).
- •Catherine McAuley School has the higher ICSEA (976 vs 904), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Elizabeth Downs Primary School has fewer students per teacher (12.3 vs 15.0).
- •Catherine McAuley School is the larger school with 483 students compared with 420.
- •Catherine McAuley School has grown faster over five years (34% vs 22%).
- •Catherine McAuley School is a catholic school while Elizabeth Downs Primary 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 Catherine McAuley School better than Elizabeth Downs Primary School?
On the Success Index, Catherine McAuley School ranks higher (39.5 vs 37.2 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 Catherine McAuley School and Elizabeth Downs Primary School?
About 1.9 km in a straight line, between Craigmore and Elizabeth Downs in South Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Catherine McAuley School has 15.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Elizabeth Downs Primary School has 12.3.
How do Catherine McAuley School and Elizabeth Downs Primary School rank in SA?
Catherine McAuley School is 238th of 348 and Elizabeth Downs Primary School is 247th of 348 among primary schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.