Henley Beach Primary School vs St Michael's College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in South Australia, 1.7 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Henley Beach Primary School
Henley Beach South · Government primary · U, R-6
354 students · ICSEA 1104
St Michael's College
Henley Beach · Catholic combined · R-12
2,193 students · ICSEA 1064
| Measure | Henley Beach Primary School Henley Beach South SA | St Michael's College Henley Beach SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 66 Top 25% | 53 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #84 of 348 | #48 of 145 |
| National rank (type) | #1355 of 4,908 | #596 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Combined |
| Year range | U, R-6 | R-12 |
| Students | 354 | 2,193 |
| Girls / boys | 161 / 193 | 949 / 1,244 |
| Foundation intake | 62 | 99 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 298 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 239 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -26% | +19% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1104 | 1064 |
| ICSEA percentile | 85th | 73th |
| Top SEA quarter | 39% | 28% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 6% | 15% |
| Students per teacher | 17.3 | 13.2 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 20.5 | 166.3 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 15.1 | 82.8 |
| Language background other than English | 22% | 13% |
| Indigenous students | 2% | 1% |
| Suburb | Henley Beach South 5022 | Henley Beach 5022 |
| Council area | Charles Sturt | Charles Sturt |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.henleyps.sa.edu.au | www.smc.sa.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Henley Beach Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (66.2 vs 52.8).
- •Henley Beach Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1104 vs 1064), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Michael's College has fewer students per teacher (13.2 vs 17.3).
- •St Michael's College is the larger school with 2,193 students compared with 354.
- •St Michael's College has grown faster over five years (19% vs -26%).
- •Henley Beach Primary School is a government school while St Michael's College 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 Henley Beach Primary School better than St Michael's College?
On the Success Index, Henley Beach Primary School ranks higher (66.2 vs 52.8 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 Henley Beach Primary School and St Michael's College?
About 1.7 km in a straight line, between Henley Beach South and Henley Beach in South Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Henley Beach Primary School has 17.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Michael's College has 13.2.
How do Henley Beach Primary School and St Michael's College rank in SA?
Henley Beach Primary School is 84th of 348 and St Michael's College is 48th of 145 among primary schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.