McAuley Community School vs Sacred Heart College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in South Australia, 1.7 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
McAuley Community School
Hove · Catholic primary · R-6
451 students · ICSEA 1099
Sacred Heart College
Somerton Park · Catholic combined · 7-12
2,033 students · ICSEA 1083
| Measure | McAuley Community School Hove SA | Sacred Heart College Somerton Park SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 71 Top 25% | 64 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #55 of 348 | #24 of 145 |
| National rank (type) | #920 of 4,908 | #384 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Catholic | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Combined |
| Year range | R-6 | 7-12 |
| Students | 451 | 2,033 |
| Girls / boys | 231 / 220 | 940 / 1,093 |
| Foundation intake | 71 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 360 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 325 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +29% | +9% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1099 | 1083 |
| ICSEA percentile | 84th | 80th |
| Top SEA quarter | 38% | 32% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 5% | 9% |
| Students per teacher | 16.0 | 13.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 28.2 | 155.3 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 16.9 | 83.9 |
| Language background other than English | 5% | 4% |
| Indigenous students | 2% | 2% |
| Suburb | Hove 5048 | Somerton Park 5044 |
| Council area | Holdfast Bay | Holdfast Bay |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.mcs.catholic.edu.au | www.shc.sa.edu.au |
The verdict
- •McAuley Community School scores higher on the Success Index (71.0 vs 64.4).
- •McAuley Community School has the higher ICSEA (1099 vs 1083), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Sacred Heart College has fewer students per teacher (13.1 vs 16.0).
- •Sacred Heart College is the larger school with 2,033 students compared with 451.
- •McAuley Community School has grown faster over five years (29% vs 9%).
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 McAuley Community School better than Sacred Heart College?
On the Success Index, McAuley Community School ranks higher (71.0 vs 64.4 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 McAuley Community School and Sacred Heart College?
About 1.7 km in a straight line, between Hove and Somerton Park in South Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
McAuley Community School has 16.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Sacred Heart College has 13.1.
How do McAuley Community School and Sacred Heart College rank in SA?
McAuley Community School is 55th of 348 and Sacred Heart College is 24th of 145 among primary schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.