Compass Catholic Community vs St Columba College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in South Australia, 1.6 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Compass Catholic Community
Davoren Park · Catholic special · 12
139 students · ICSEA 916
St Columba College
Andrews Farm · Catholic combined · R-12
1,519 students · ICSEA 973
| Measure | Compass Catholic Community Davoren Park SA | St Columba College Andrews Farm SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 29 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #129 of 145 |
| National rank (type) | – | #1098 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Catholic | Catholic |
| Type | Special | Combined |
| Year range | 12 | R-12 |
| Students | 139 | 1,519 |
| Girls / boys | 74 / 65 | 781 / 738 |
| Foundation intake | – | 100 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 147 |
| Year 12 cohort | 139 | 113 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | – | +7% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 916 | 973 |
| ICSEA percentile | 14th | 34th |
| Top SEA quarter | 3% | 5% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 64% | 45% |
| Students per teacher | 10.0 | 13.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 13.9 | 116.7 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 20.7 | 84.1 |
| Language background other than English | 2% | 40% |
| Indigenous students | 12% | 4% |
| Suburb | Davoren Park 5113 | Andrews Farm 5114 |
| Council area | Playford | Playford |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.compass.catholic.edu.au | www.stcolumba.com.au |
The verdict
- •St Columba College has the higher ICSEA (973 vs 916), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Compass Catholic Community has fewer students per teacher (10.0 vs 13.0).
- •St Columba College is the larger school with 1,519 students compared with 139.
The Success Index summarises community advantage, resourcing and momentum from ACARA data. It does not measure teaching quality, results or fit. Methodology.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Your nearest centre: Success Tutoring Windsor Gardens
Frequently asked questions
Is Compass Catholic Community better than St Columba 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 Compass Catholic Community and St Columba College?
About 1.6 km in a straight line, between Davoren Park and Andrews Farm in South Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Compass Catholic Community has 10.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Columba College has 13.0.
How do Compass Catholic Community and St Columba College rank in SA?
Compass Catholic Community is unranked and St Columba College is 129th of 145 among special schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.