Garden College vs Paralowie School
A head-to-head comparison of two combined schools in South Australia, 3.5 km 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
Paralowie School
Paralowie · Government combined · R-12
1,373 students · ICSEA 909
| Measure | Garden College Parafield Gardens SA | Paralowie School Paralowie SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 48 Top 50% | 19 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #55 of 145 | #145 of 145 |
| National rank (type) | #686 of 1,259 | #1255 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Independent | Government |
| Type | Combined | Combined |
| Year range | R-12 | R-12 |
| Students | 351 | 1,373 |
| Girls / boys | 176 / 175 | 642 / 731 |
| Foundation intake | 46 | 78 |
| Year 7 cohort | 32 | 139 |
| Year 12 cohort | 7 | 102 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +7% | -6% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1029 | 909 |
| ICSEA percentile | 59th | 13th |
| Top SEA quarter | 16% | 2% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 24% | 68% |
| Students per teacher | 15.2 | 13.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 23.1 | 99.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 6.5 | 54.8 |
| Language background other than English | 98% | 41% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 11% |
| Suburb | Parafield Gardens 5107 | Paralowie 5108 |
| Council area | Salisbury | Salisbury |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.gardencollege.sa.edu.au/ | www.paralowie.sa.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Garden College scores higher on the Success Index (48.3 vs 18.6).
- •Garden College has the higher ICSEA (1029 vs 909), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Paralowie School has fewer students per teacher (13.9 vs 15.2).
- •Paralowie School is the larger school with 1,373 students compared with 351.
- •Garden College has grown faster over five years (7% vs -6%).
- •Garden College is a independent school while Paralowie 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 Garden College better than Paralowie School?
On the Success Index, Garden College ranks higher (48.3 vs 18.6 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 Garden College and Paralowie School?
About 3.5 km in a straight line, between Parafield Gardens and Paralowie in South Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Garden College has 15.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Paralowie School has 13.9.
How do Garden College and Paralowie School rank in SA?
Garden College is 55th of 145 and Paralowie School is 145th of 145 among combined schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.