Mount Barker High School vs Mount Barker Waldorf School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in South Australia, 2.0 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Mount Barker High School
Mount Barker · Government high school · U, 7-12
1,061 students · ICSEA 1010
Mount Barker Waldorf School
Mount Barker · Independent combined · R-12
321 students · ICSEA 1087
| Measure | Mount Barker High School Mount Barker SA | Mount Barker Waldorf School Mount Barker SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 54 Top 50% | 67 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #32 of 84 | #20 of 145 |
| National rank (type) | #650 of 1,472 | #330 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Secondary | Combined |
| Year range | U, 7-12 | R-12 |
| Students | 1,061 | 321 |
| Girls / boys | 487 / 574 | 157 / 164 |
| Foundation intake | – | 26 |
| Year 7 cohort | 133 | 31 |
| Year 12 cohort | 152 | 14 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +51% | +4% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1010 | 1087 |
| ICSEA percentile | 52th | 81th |
| Top SEA quarter | 12% | 34% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 31% | 8% |
| Students per teacher | 14.4 | 10.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 73.3 | 29.7 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 41.5 | 19.8 |
| Language background other than English | 5% | 13% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 3% |
| Suburb | Mount Barker 5251 | Mount Barker 5251 |
| Council area | Mount Barker | Mount Barker |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.mtbhs.sa.edu.au | www.mtbarkerwaldorf.sa.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Mount Barker Waldorf School scores higher on the Success Index (66.7 vs 54.2).
- •Mount Barker Waldorf School has the higher ICSEA (1087 vs 1010), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Mount Barker Waldorf School has fewer students per teacher (10.8 vs 14.4).
- •Mount Barker High School is the larger school with 1,061 students compared with 321.
- •Mount Barker High School has grown faster over five years (51% vs 4%).
- •Mount Barker High School is a government school while Mount Barker Waldorf School is an independent 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 Mount Barker High School better than Mount Barker Waldorf School?
On the Success Index, Mount Barker Waldorf School ranks higher (66.7 vs 54.2 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 Mount Barker High School and Mount Barker Waldorf School?
About 2.0 km in a straight line, between Mount Barker and Mount Barker in South Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Mount Barker High School has 14.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Mount Barker Waldorf School has 10.8.
How do Mount Barker High School and Mount Barker Waldorf School rank in SA?
Mount Barker High School is 32nd of 84 and Mount Barker Waldorf School is 20th of 145 among secondary schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.