Garden College vs Holy Family Catholic School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in South Australia, 140 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Garden College
Parafield Gardens · Independent combined · R-12
351 students · ICSEA 1029
Holy Family Catholic School
Parafield Gardens · Catholic primary · R-6
539 students · ICSEA 1000
| Measure | Garden College Parafield Gardens SA | Holy Family Catholic School Parafield Gardens SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 48 Top 50% | 51 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #55 of 145 | #173 of 348 |
| National rank (type) | #686 of 1,259 | #2622 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Independent | Catholic |
| Type | Combined | Primary |
| Year range | R-12 | R-6 |
| Students | 351 | 539 |
| Girls / boys | 176 / 175 | 255 / 284 |
| Foundation intake | 46 | 90 |
| Year 7 cohort | 32 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 7 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +7% | -2% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1029 | 1000 |
| ICSEA percentile | 59th | 47th |
| Top SEA quarter | 16% | 10% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 24% | 33% |
| Students per teacher | 15.2 | 14.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 23.1 | 37.5 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 6.5 | 35.7 |
| Language background other than English | 98% | 61% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 3% |
| Suburb | Parafield Gardens 5107 | Parafield Gardens 5107 |
| Council area | Salisbury | Salisbury |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.gardencollege.sa.edu.au/ | www.holyfamily.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Holy Family Catholic School scores higher on the Success Index (51.0 vs 48.3).
- •Garden College has the higher ICSEA (1029 vs 1000), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Holy Family Catholic School has fewer students per teacher (14.4 vs 15.2).
- •Holy Family Catholic School is the larger school with 539 students compared with 351.
- •Garden College has grown faster over five years (7% vs -2%).
- •Garden College is a independent school while Holy Family Catholic 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 Garden College better than Holy Family Catholic School?
On the Success Index, Holy Family Catholic School ranks higher (51.0 vs 48.3 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 Garden College and Holy Family Catholic School?
About 140 m in a straight line, between Parafield Gardens and Parafield Gardens in South Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Garden College has 15.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Holy Family Catholic School has 14.4.
How do Garden College and Holy Family Catholic School rank in SA?
Garden College is 55th of 145 and Holy Family Catholic School is 173rd of 348 among combined schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.