Grant High School vs McDonald Park School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in South Australia, 2.4 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Grant High School
Mount Gambier · Government high school · U, 7-12
978 students · ICSEA 954
McDonald Park School
Mount Gambier · Government primary · U, R-6
379 students · ICSEA 948
| Measure | Grant High School Mount Gambier SA | McDonald Park School Mount Gambier SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 28 Lower 50% | 23 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #67 of 84 | #331 of 348 |
| National rank (type) | #1233 of 1,472 | #4606 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | U, 7-12 | U, R-6 |
| Students | 978 | 379 |
| Girls / boys | 429 / 549 | 200 / 179 |
| Foundation intake | – | 63 |
| Year 7 cohort | 116 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 195 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +14% | -31% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 954 | 948 |
| ICSEA percentile | 26th | 24th |
| Top SEA quarter | 5% | 4% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 50% | 52% |
| Students per teacher | 14.0 | 15.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 70.0 | 24.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 38.7 | 14.0 |
| Language background other than English | 3% | 8% |
| Indigenous students | 8% | 9% |
| Suburb | Mount Gambier 5290 | Mount Gambier 5290 |
| Council area | Mount Gambier | Mount Gambier |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | web.granths.sa.edu.au/ghs/ | www.mcparkr7.sa.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Grant High School scores higher on the Success Index (28.0 vs 23.3).
- •Grant High School has the higher ICSEA (954 vs 948), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Grant High School has fewer students per teacher (14.0 vs 15.8).
- •Grant High School is the larger school with 978 students compared with 379.
- •Grant High School has grown faster over five years (14% vs -31%).
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 Grant High School better than McDonald Park School?
On the Success Index, Grant High School ranks higher (28.0 vs 23.3 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 Grant High School and McDonald Park School?
About 2.4 km in a straight line, between Mount Gambier and Mount Gambier in South Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Grant High School has 14.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and McDonald Park School has 15.8.
How do Grant High School and McDonald Park School rank in SA?
Grant High School is 67th of 84 and McDonald Park School is 331st of 348 among secondary schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.