Christie Downs Primary School vs St John The Apostle Parish School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in South Australia, 1.5 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Christie Downs Primary School
Christie Downs · Government primary · U, R-6
205 students · ICSEA 925
St John The Apostle Parish School
Christies Beach · Catholic primary · R-6
334 students · ICSEA 1021
| Measure | Christie Downs Primary School Christie Downs SA | St John The Apostle Parish School Christies Beach SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 37 Lower 50% | 50 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #251 of 348 | #178 of 348 |
| National rank (type) | #3659 of 4,908 | #2696 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | U, R-6 | R-6 |
| Students | 205 | 334 |
| Girls / boys | 89 / 116 | 183 / 151 |
| Foundation intake | 21 | 45 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -25% | +41% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 925 | 1021 |
| ICSEA percentile | 17th | 56th |
| Top SEA quarter | 9% | 13% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 50% | 25% |
| Students per teacher | 8.3 | 15.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 24.8 | 21.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 26.2 | 16.0 |
| Language background other than English | 31% | 5% |
| Indigenous students | 31% | 4% |
| Suburb | Christie Downs 5164 | Christies Beach 5165 |
| Council area | Onkaparinga | Onkaparinga |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.cdownssch.sa.edu.au | www.stjohns.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St John The Apostle Parish School scores higher on the Success Index (49.9 vs 36.7).
- •St John The Apostle Parish School has the higher ICSEA (1021 vs 925), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Christie Downs Primary School has fewer students per teacher (8.3 vs 15.9).
- •St John The Apostle Parish School is the larger school with 334 students compared with 205.
- •St John The Apostle Parish School has grown faster over five years (41% vs -25%).
- •Christie Downs Primary School is a government school while St John The Apostle Parish School 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 Christie Downs Primary School better than St John The Apostle Parish School?
On the Success Index, St John The Apostle Parish School ranks higher (49.9 vs 36.7 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 Christie Downs Primary School and St John The Apostle Parish School?
About 1.5 km in a straight line, between Christie Downs and Christies Beach in South Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Christie Downs Primary School has 8.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St John The Apostle Parish School has 15.9.
How do Christie Downs Primary School and St John The Apostle Parish School rank in SA?
Christie Downs Primary School is 251st of 348 and St John The Apostle Parish School is 178th of 348 among primary schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.