Marden Senior College vs St Monica's Parish School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in South Australia, 1.8 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Marden Senior College
Marden · Government high school · U, 11-12
496 students · ICSEA 1041
St Monica's Parish School
Walkerville · Catholic primary · R-6
192 students · ICSEA 1102
| Measure | Marden Senior College Marden SA | St Monica's Parish School Walkerville SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 52 Top 50% | 73 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #33 of 84 | #39 of 348 |
| National rank (type) | #686 of 1,472 | #709 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | U, 11-12 | R-6 |
| Students | 496 | 192 |
| Girls / boys | 291 / 205 | 96 / 96 |
| Foundation intake | – | 34 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 391 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -21% | -3% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1041 | 1102 |
| ICSEA percentile | 65th | 85th |
| Top SEA quarter | 20% | 41% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 23% | 7% |
| Students per teacher | 14.4 | 14.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 23.2 | 13.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 15.5 | 5.1 |
| Language background other than English | 28% | 32% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 2% |
| Suburb | Marden 5070 | Walkerville 5081 |
| Council area | Norwood Payneham and St Peters | Walkerville |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.msc.sa.edu.au | www.stmonica.catholic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •St Monica's Parish School scores higher on the Success Index (73.3 vs 52.3).
- •St Monica's Parish School has the higher ICSEA (1102 vs 1041), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Marden Senior College is the larger school with 496 students compared with 192.
- •St Monica's Parish School has grown faster over five years (-3% vs -21%).
- •Marden Senior College is a government school while St Monica's Parish 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 Marden Senior College better than St Monica's Parish School?
On the Success Index, St Monica's Parish School ranks higher (73.3 vs 52.3 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 Marden Senior College and St Monica's Parish School?
About 1.8 km in a straight line, between Marden and Walkerville in South Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Marden Senior College has 14.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Monica's Parish School has 14.3.
How do Marden Senior College and St Monica's Parish School rank in SA?
Marden Senior College is 33rd of 84 and St Monica's Parish School is 39th of 348 among secondary schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.