Mount Barker South Primary School vs St Mark's Lutheran School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in South Australia, 827 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Mount Barker South Primary School
Mount Barker · Government primary · U, R-6
399 students · ICSEA 1011
St Mark's Lutheran School
Mount Barker · Independent primary · R-6
351 students · ICSEA 1071
| Measure | Mount Barker South Primary School Mount Barker SA | St Mark's Lutheran School Mount Barker SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 51 Top 50% | 65 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #172 of 348 | #92 of 348 |
| National rank (type) | #2597 of 4,908 | #1450 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | U, R-6 | R-6 |
| Students | 399 | 351 |
| Girls / boys | 195 / 204 | 171 / 180 |
| Foundation intake | 64 | 50 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +21% | +13% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1011 | 1071 |
| ICSEA percentile | 52th | 76th |
| Top SEA quarter | 12% | 25% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 29% | 11% |
| Students per teacher | 16.1 | 14.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 24.8 | 23.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 18.1 | 8.7 |
| Language background other than English | 11% | 6% |
| Indigenous students | 5% | 1% |
| Suburb | Mount Barker 5251 | Mount Barker 5251 |
| Council area | Mount Barker | Mount Barker |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.mtbsouthps.sa.edu.au | www.stmarks.sa.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Mark's Lutheran School scores higher on the Success Index (65.1 vs 51.3).
- •St Mark's Lutheran School has the higher ICSEA (1071 vs 1011), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Mark's Lutheran School has fewer students per teacher (14.9 vs 16.1).
- •Mount Barker South Primary School is the larger school with 399 students compared with 351.
- •Mount Barker South Primary School has grown faster over five years (21% vs 13%).
- •Mount Barker South Primary School is a government school while St Mark's Lutheran 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 South Primary School better than St Mark's Lutheran School?
On the Success Index, St Mark's Lutheran School ranks higher (65.1 vs 51.3 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 Mount Barker South Primary School and St Mark's Lutheran School?
About 827 m in a straight line, between Mount Barker and Mount Barker in South Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Mount Barker South Primary School has 16.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mark's Lutheran School has 14.9.
How do Mount Barker South Primary School and St Mark's Lutheran School rank in SA?
Mount Barker South Primary School is 172nd of 348 and St Mark's Lutheran School is 92nd of 348 among primary schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.