John Pirie Secondary School vs St Mark's College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in South Australia, 2.6 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
John Pirie Secondary School
Port Pirie · Government high school · U, 7-12
691 students · ICSEA 894
St Mark's College
Port Pirie · Catholic combined · R-12
945 students · ICSEA 1002
| Measure | John Pirie Secondary School Port Pirie SA | St Mark's College Port Pirie SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 28 Lower 50% | 36 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #68 of 84 | #101 of 145 |
| National rank (type) | #1241 of 1,472 | #936 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Combined |
| Year range | U, 7-12 | R-12 |
| Students | 691 | 945 |
| Girls / boys | 335 / 356 | 476 / 469 |
| Foundation intake | – | 52 |
| Year 7 cohort | 127 | 83 |
| Year 12 cohort | 75 | 83 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +6% | +5% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 894 | 1002 |
| ICSEA percentile | 10th | 48th |
| Top SEA quarter | 3% | 10% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 68% | 29% |
| Students per teacher | 12.1 | 14.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 56.7 | 66.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 34.3 | 33.8 |
| Language background other than English | 7% | 4% |
| Indigenous students | 20% | 4% |
| Suburb | Port Pirie 5540 | Port Pirie 5540 |
| Council area | Port Pirie | Port Pirie |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | www.jpss.sa.edu.au | www.stmarkspirie.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Mark's College scores higher on the Success Index (36.1 vs 27.6).
- •St Mark's College has the higher ICSEA (1002 vs 894), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •John Pirie Secondary School has fewer students per teacher (12.1 vs 14.1).
- •St Mark's College is the larger school with 945 students compared with 691.
- •John Pirie Secondary School is a government school while St Mark'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.
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 John Pirie Secondary School better than St Mark's College?
On the Success Index, St Mark's College ranks higher (36.1 vs 27.6 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 John Pirie Secondary School and St Mark's College?
About 2.6 km in a straight line, between Port Pirie and Port Pirie in South Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
John Pirie Secondary School has 12.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mark's College has 14.1.
How do John Pirie Secondary School and St Mark's College rank in SA?
John Pirie Secondary School is 68th of 84 and St Mark's College is 101st of 145 among secondary schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.