Echunga Primary and Preschool vs St Mark's Lutheran School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in South Australia, 7.0 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Echunga Primary and Preschool
Echunga · Government primary · R-6
149 students · ICSEA 1042
St Mark's Lutheran School
Mount Barker · Independent primary · R-6
351 students · ICSEA 1071
| Measure | Echunga Primary and Preschool Echunga SA | St Mark's Lutheran School Mount Barker SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 63 Top 50% | 65 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #116 of 348 | #92 of 348 |
| National rank (type) | #1683 of 4,908 | #1450 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | R-6 | R-6 |
| Students | 149 | 351 |
| Girls / boys | 71 / 78 | 171 / 180 |
| Foundation intake | 42 | 50 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +67% | +13% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1042 | 1071 |
| ICSEA percentile | 65th | 76th |
| Top SEA quarter | 19% | 25% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 18% | 11% |
| Students per teacher | 14.9 | 14.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 10.0 | 23.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 7.7 | 8.7 |
| Language background other than English | 2% | 6% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 1% |
| Suburb | Echunga 5153 | Mount Barker 5251 |
| Council area | Mount Barker | Mount Barker |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Major Cities |
| Website | www.echungaps.sa.edu.au | www.stmarks.sa.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Mark's Lutheran School scores higher on the Success Index (65.1 vs 62.6).
- •St Mark's Lutheran School has the higher ICSEA (1071 vs 1042), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Mark's Lutheran School is the larger school with 351 students compared with 149.
- •Echunga Primary and Preschool has grown faster over five years (67% vs 13%).
- •Echunga Primary and Preschool is a government school while St Mark's Lutheran School is an independent 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.
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 Echunga Primary and Preschool better than St Mark's Lutheran School?
On the Success Index, St Mark's Lutheran School ranks higher (65.1 vs 62.6 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 Echunga Primary and Preschool and St Mark's Lutheran School?
About 7.0 km in a straight line, between Echunga and Mount Barker in South Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Echunga Primary and Preschool has 14.9 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mark's Lutheran School has 14.9.
How do Echunga Primary and Preschool and St Mark's Lutheran School rank in SA?
Echunga Primary and Preschool is 116th of 348 and St Mark's Lutheran School is 92nd of 348 among primary schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.