Garden College vs The Pines School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in South Australia, 1.1 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
The Pines School
Parafield Gardens · Government primary · U, R-6
671 students · ICSEA 967
| Measure | Garden College Parafield Gardens SA | The Pines School Parafield Gardens SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 48 Top 50% | 33 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #55 of 145 | #277 of 348 |
| National rank (type) | #686 of 1,259 | #3914 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Independent | Government |
| Type | Combined | Primary |
| Year range | R-12 | U, R-6 |
| Students | 351 | 671 |
| Girls / boys | 176 / 175 | 330 / 341 |
| Foundation intake | 46 | 92 |
| Year 7 cohort | 32 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 7 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +7% | -9% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1029 | 967 |
| ICSEA percentile | 59th | 32th |
| Top SEA quarter | 16% | 10% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 24% | 49% |
| Students per teacher | 15.2 | 15.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 23.1 | 43.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 6.5 | 22.4 |
| Language background other than English | 98% | 71% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 6% |
| Suburb | Parafield Gardens 5107 | Parafield Gardens 5107 |
| Council area | Salisbury | Salisbury |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.gardencollege.sa.edu.au/ | www.thepines.sa.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Garden College scores higher on the Success Index (48.3 vs 33.1).
- •Garden College has the higher ICSEA (1029 vs 967), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •The Pines School is the larger school with 671 students compared with 351.
- •Garden College has grown faster over five years (7% vs -9%).
- •Garden College is a independent school while The Pines 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 The Pines School?
On the Success Index, Garden College ranks higher (48.3 vs 33.1 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 The Pines School?
About 1.1 km 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 The Pines School has 15.5.
How do Garden College and The Pines School rank in SA?
Garden College is 55th of 145 and The Pines School is 277th of 348 among combined schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.