Gordon Education Centre vs St Martins Lutheran College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in South Australia, 2.6 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Gordon Education Centre
Mount Gambier · Government special · U
62 students · ICSEA 951
St Martins Lutheran College
Mount Gambier · Independent combined · R-12
810 students · ICSEA 1028
| Measure | Gordon Education Centre Mount Gambier SA | St Martins Lutheran College Mount Gambier SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 50 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #54 of 145 |
| National rank (type) | – | #667 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Special | Combined |
| Year range | U | R-12 |
| Students | 62 | 810 |
| Girls / boys | 20 / 42 | 412 / 398 |
| Foundation intake | – | 39 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 103 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 58 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -6% | +9% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 951 | 1028 |
| ICSEA percentile | 25th | 59th |
| Top SEA quarter | 7% | 18% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 46% | 24% |
| Students per teacher | 5.0 | 12.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 12.4 | 67.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 21.9 | 43.9 |
| Language background other than English | 5% | 15% |
| Indigenous students | 15% | 3% |
| Suburb | Mount Gambier 5290 | Mount Gambier 5290 |
| Council area | Mount Gambier | Mount Gambier |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | www.gecsp.sa.edu.au | www.stmartins.sa.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •St Martins Lutheran College has the higher ICSEA (1028 vs 951), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Gordon Education Centre has fewer students per teacher (5.0 vs 12.1).
- •St Martins Lutheran College is the larger school with 810 students compared with 62.
- •St Martins Lutheran College has grown faster over five years (9% vs -6%).
- •Gordon Education Centre is a government school while St Martins Lutheran College 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 Torquay
Frequently asked questions
Is Gordon Education Centre better than St Martins Lutheran 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 Gordon Education Centre and St Martins Lutheran College?
About 2.6 km in a straight line, between Mount Gambier and Mount Gambier in South Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Gordon Education Centre has 5.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Martins Lutheran College has 12.1.
How do Gordon Education Centre and St Martins Lutheran College rank in SA?
Gordon Education Centre is unranked and St Martins Lutheran College is 54th of 145 among special schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.