Mary MacKillop Memorial School vs St James School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in South Australia, 506 km 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
St James School
Jamestown · Catholic primary · R-6
73 students · ICSEA 1029
| Measure | Mary MacKillop Memorial School Penola SA | St James School Jamestown SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 57 Top 50% | 55 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | – |
| National rank (type) | – | – |
| Sector | Catholic | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | R-6 | R-6 |
| Students | 57 | 73 |
| Girls / boys | 26 / 31 | 35 / 38 |
| Foundation intake | 2 | 10 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -34% | -22% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1029 | 1029 |
| ICSEA percentile | 60th | 59th |
| Top SEA quarter | 19% | 16% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 26% | 19% |
| Students per teacher | 9.5 | 10.7 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 6.0 | 6.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 4.0 | 5.7 |
| Language background other than English | 0% | 1% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 3% |
| Suburb | Penola 5277 | Jamestown 5491 |
| Council area | Wattle Range | Northern Areas |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | www.mmms.catholic.edu.au | www.stjames.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Mary MacKillop Memorial School scores higher on the Success Index (56.5 vs 55.3).
- •Mary MacKillop Memorial School has fewer students per teacher (9.5 vs 10.7).
- •St James School is the larger school with 73 students compared with 57.
- •St James School has grown faster over five years (-22% vs -34%).
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 St James School?
On the Success Index, Mary MacKillop Memorial School ranks higher (56.5 vs 55.3 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 Mary MacKillop Memorial School and St James School?
About 506 km in a straight line, between Penola and Jamestown 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 St James School has 10.7.
How do Mary MacKillop Memorial School and St James School rank in SA?
Mary MacKillop Memorial School is unranked and St James School is unranked among primary schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.