Happy Valley Primary School vs School of the Nativity
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in South Australia, 2.2 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Happy Valley Primary School
Happy Valley · Government primary · R-6
325 students · ICSEA 1033
School of the Nativity
Aberfoyle Park · Catholic primary · R-6
159 students · ICSEA 1086
| Measure | Happy Valley Primary School Happy Valley SA | School of the Nativity Aberfoyle Park SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 57 Top 50% | 74 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #150 of 348 | #34 of 348 |
| National rank (type) | #2214 of 4,908 | #629 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | R-6 | R-6 |
| Students | 325 | 159 |
| Girls / boys | 157 / 168 | 73 / 86 |
| Foundation intake | 69 | 20 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +28% | -7% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1033 | 1086 |
| ICSEA percentile | 61th | 81th |
| Top SEA quarter | 17% | 33% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 23% | 10% |
| Students per teacher | 17.1 | 12.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 19.0 | 12.7 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 7.1 | 5.8 |
| Language background other than English | 5% | 17% |
| Indigenous students | 4% | 1% |
| Suburb | Happy Valley 5159 | Aberfoyle Park 5159 |
| Council area | Onkaparinga | Onkaparinga |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.happyvalley.sa.edu.au | www.nativity.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •School of the Nativity scores higher on the Success Index (74.0 vs 56.5).
- •School of the Nativity has the higher ICSEA (1086 vs 1033), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •School of the Nativity has fewer students per teacher (12.5 vs 17.1).
- •Happy Valley Primary School is the larger school with 325 students compared with 159.
- •Happy Valley Primary School has grown faster over five years (28% vs -7%).
- •Happy Valley Primary School is a government school while School of the Nativity 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 Happy Valley Primary School better than School of the Nativity?
On the Success Index, School of the Nativity ranks higher (74.0 vs 56.5 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 Happy Valley Primary School and School of the Nativity?
About 2.2 km in a straight line, between Happy Valley and Aberfoyle Park in South Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Happy Valley Primary School has 17.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and School of the Nativity has 12.5.
How do Happy Valley Primary School and School of the Nativity rank in SA?
Happy Valley Primary School is 150th of 348 and School of the Nativity is 34th of 348 among primary schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.