Mount Barker High School vs St Francis de Sales College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in South Australia, 1.3 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
St Francis de Sales College
Mount Barker · Catholic combined · R-12
1,047 students · ICSEA 1051
| Measure | Mount Barker High School Mount Barker SA | St Francis de Sales College Mount Barker SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 54 Top 50% | 55 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #32 of 84 | #43 of 145 |
| National rank (type) | #650 of 1,472 | #553 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Combined |
| Year range | U, 7-12 | R-12 |
| Students | 1,061 | 1,047 |
| Girls / boys | 487 / 574 | 535 / 512 |
| Foundation intake | – | 67 |
| Year 7 cohort | 133 | 121 |
| Year 12 cohort | 152 | 69 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +51% | +51% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1010 | 1051 |
| ICSEA percentile | 52th | 69th |
| Top SEA quarter | 12% | 20% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 31% | 14% |
| Students per teacher | 14.4 | 15.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 73.3 | 68.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 41.5 | 40.1 |
| Language background other than English | 5% | 5% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 4% |
| 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.stfrancis.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (54.2 vs 54.7).
- •St Francis de Sales College has the higher ICSEA (1051 vs 1010), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Mount Barker High School has fewer students per teacher (14.4 vs 15.3).
- •Mount Barker High School is the larger school with 1,061 students compared with 1,047.
- •Mount Barker High School is a government school while St Francis de Sales College is a catholic 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.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Your nearest centre: Success Tutoring Windsor Gardens
Frequently asked questions
Is Mount Barker High School better than St Francis de Sales College?
The two schools are very close on the Success Index. Differences in sector, size, year range and distance from home will matter more than the score.
How far apart are Mount Barker High School and St Francis de Sales College?
About 1.3 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 St Francis de Sales College has 15.3.
How do Mount Barker High School and St Francis de Sales College rank in SA?
Mount Barker High School is 32nd of 84 and St Francis de Sales College is 43rd of 145 among secondary schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.