Indie School Elizabeth vs Northern Adelaide Senior College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in South Australia, 1.1 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Indie School Elizabeth
Elizabeth · Independent special · 9-12
322 students · ICSEA 946
Northern Adelaide Senior College
Elizabeth · Government high school · U, 11-12
431 students · ICSEA 978
| Measure | Indie School Elizabeth Elizabeth SA | Northern Adelaide Senior College Elizabeth SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 39 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #56 of 84 |
| National rank (type) | – | #975 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Independent | Government |
| Type | Special | Secondary |
| Year range | 9-12 | U, 11-12 |
| Students | 322 | 431 |
| Girls / boys | 184 / 138 | 267 / 164 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 101 | 123 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +1510% | -16% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 946 | 978 |
| ICSEA percentile | 23th | 37th |
| Top SEA quarter | 4% | 14% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 54% | 45% |
| Students per teacher | 8.9 | 16.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 36.0 | 25.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 21.2 | 30.0 |
| Language background other than English | 3% | 23% |
| Indigenous students | 11% | 9% |
| Suburb | Elizabeth 5112 | Elizabeth 5112 |
| Council area | Playford | Playford |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | indieschool.edu.au/campus/elizabeth | www.northernadelaidesc.sa.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Northern Adelaide Senior College has the higher ICSEA (978 vs 946), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Indie School Elizabeth has fewer students per teacher (8.9 vs 16.5).
- •Northern Adelaide Senior College is the larger school with 431 students compared with 322.
- •Indie School Elizabeth has grown faster over five years (1510% vs -16%).
- •Indie School Elizabeth is a independent school while Northern Adelaide Senior College is a government 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 Windsor Gardens
Frequently asked questions
Is Indie School Elizabeth better than Northern Adelaide Senior 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 Indie School Elizabeth and Northern Adelaide Senior College?
About 1.1 km in a straight line, between Elizabeth and Elizabeth in South Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Indie School Elizabeth has 8.9 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Northern Adelaide Senior College has 16.5.
How do Indie School Elizabeth and Northern Adelaide Senior College rank in SA?
Indie School Elizabeth is unranked and Northern Adelaide Senior College is 56th of 84 among special schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.