Mawson Lakes School vs Parafield Gardens Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in South Australia, 2.7 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Mawson Lakes School
Mawson Lakes · Government primary · R-6
716 students · ICSEA 1060
Parafield Gardens Primary School
Parafield Gardens · Government primary · U, R-6
575 students · ICSEA 968
| Measure | Mawson Lakes School Mawson Lakes SA | Parafield Gardens Primary School Parafield Gardens SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 58 Top 50% | 34 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #141 of 348 | #269 of 348 |
| National rank (type) | #2078 of 4,908 | #3862 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | R-6 | U, R-6 |
| Students | 716 | 575 |
| Girls / boys | 344 / 372 | 293 / 282 |
| Foundation intake | 141 | 99 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -6% | -17% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1060 | 968 |
| ICSEA percentile | 72th | 32th |
| Top SEA quarter | 25% | 9% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 16% | 46% |
| Students per teacher | 18.5 | 16.2 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 38.6 | 35.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 22.2 | 21.0 |
| Language background other than English | 66% | 64% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 6% |
| Suburb | Mawson Lakes 5095 | Parafield Gardens 5107 |
| Council area | Salisbury | Salisbury |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.mawsonlakes.sa.edu.au | www.pgardens.sa.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Mawson Lakes School scores higher on the Success Index (58.1 vs 33.6).
- •Mawson Lakes School has the higher ICSEA (1060 vs 968), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Parafield Gardens Primary School has fewer students per teacher (16.2 vs 18.5).
- •Mawson Lakes School is the larger school with 716 students compared with 575.
- •Mawson Lakes School has grown faster over five years (-6% vs -17%).
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 Mawson Lakes School better than Parafield Gardens Primary School?
On the Success Index, Mawson Lakes School ranks higher (58.1 vs 33.6 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 Mawson Lakes School and Parafield Gardens Primary School?
About 2.7 km in a straight line, between Mawson Lakes and Parafield Gardens in South Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Mawson Lakes School has 18.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Parafield Gardens Primary School has 16.2.
How do Mawson Lakes School and Parafield Gardens Primary School rank in SA?
Mawson Lakes School is 141st of 348 and Parafield Gardens Primary School is 269th of 348 among primary schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.