Mary MacKillop Memorial School vs Penola High School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in South Australia, 828 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Mary MacKillop Memorial School
Penola · Catholic primary · R-6
57 students · ICSEA 1029
Penola High School
Penola · Government high school · 7-12
113 students · ICSEA 933
| Measure | Mary MacKillop Memorial School Penola SA | Penola High School Penola SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 57 Top 50% | 32 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #63 of 84 |
| National rank (type) | – | #1136 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
| Year range | R-6 | 7-12 |
| Students | 57 | 113 |
| Girls / boys | 26 / 31 | 63 / 50 |
| Foundation intake | 2 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 23 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 10 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -34% | +26% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1029 | 933 |
| ICSEA percentile | 60th | 19th |
| Top SEA quarter | 19% | 4% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 26% | 63% |
| Students per teacher | 9.5 | 8.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 6.0 | 13.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 4.0 | 8.5 |
| Language background other than English | 0% | 2% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 5% |
| Suburb | Penola 5277 | Penola 5277 |
| Council area | Wattle Range | Wattle Range |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | www.mmms.catholic.edu.au | www.penolahs.sa.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Mary MacKillop Memorial School scores higher on the Success Index (56.5 vs 31.9).
- •Mary MacKillop Memorial School has the higher ICSEA (1029 vs 933), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Penola High School has fewer students per teacher (8.4 vs 9.5).
- •Penola High School is the larger school with 113 students compared with 57.
- •Penola High School has grown faster over five years (26% vs -34%).
- •Mary MacKillop Memorial School is a catholic school while Penola High School 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.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Mary MacKillop Memorial School better than Penola High School?
On the Success Index, Mary MacKillop Memorial School ranks higher (56.5 vs 31.9 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 Mary MacKillop Memorial School and Penola High School?
About 828 m in a straight line, between Penola and Penola in South Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Mary MacKillop Memorial School has 9.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Penola High School has 8.4.
How do Mary MacKillop Memorial School and Penola High School rank in SA?
Mary MacKillop Memorial School is unranked and Penola High School is 63rd of 84 among primary schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.