Heathfield High School vs St Catherine's School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in South Australia, 1.9 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Heathfield High School
Heathfield · Government high school · 7-12
970 students · ICSEA 1086
St Catherine's School
Stirling · Catholic primary · R-6
185 students · ICSEA 1133
| Measure | Heathfield High School Heathfield SA | St Catherine's School Stirling SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 73 Top 25% | 77 Top 10% |
| State rank (type) | #10 of 84 | #10 of 348 |
| National rank (type) | #208 of 1,472 | #384 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | R-6 |
| Students | 970 | 185 |
| Girls / boys | 460 / 510 | 83 / 102 |
| Foundation intake | – | 31 |
| Year 7 cohort | 167 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 158 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +19% | -9% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1086 | 1133 |
| ICSEA percentile | 81th | 92th |
| Top SEA quarter | 33% | 55% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 10% | 5% |
| Students per teacher | 15.4 | 15.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 63.0 | 11.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 25.6 | 6.6 |
| Language background other than English | 3% | 3% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 0% |
| Suburb | Heathfield 5153 | Stirling 5152 |
| Council area | Adelaide Hills | Adelaide Hills |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.hhs.sa.edu.au | www.stcaths.catholic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •St Catherine's School scores higher on the Success Index (77.2 vs 73.0).
- •St Catherine's School has the higher ICSEA (1133 vs 1086), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Heathfield High School has fewer students per teacher (15.4 vs 15.9).
- •Heathfield High School is the larger school with 970 students compared with 185.
- •Heathfield High School has grown faster over five years (19% vs -9%).
- •Heathfield High School is a government school while St Catherine's School 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 Heathfield High School better than St Catherine's School?
On the Success Index, St Catherine's School ranks higher (77.2 vs 73.0 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 Heathfield High School and St Catherine's School?
About 1.9 km in a straight line, between Heathfield and Stirling in South Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Heathfield High School has 15.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Catherine's School has 15.9.
How do Heathfield High School and St Catherine's School rank in SA?
Heathfield High School is 10th of 84 and St Catherine's School is 10th of 348 among secondary schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.