Mount Barker Waldorf School vs St Mark's Lutheran School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in South Australia, 1.8 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Mount Barker Waldorf School
Mount Barker · Independent combined · R-12
321 students · ICSEA 1087
St Mark's Lutheran School
Mount Barker · Independent primary · R-6
351 students · ICSEA 1071
| Measure | Mount Barker Waldorf School Mount Barker SA | St Mark's Lutheran School Mount Barker SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 67 Top 25% | 65 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #20 of 145 | #92 of 348 |
| National rank (type) | #330 of 1,259 | #1450 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Independent | Independent |
| Type | Combined | Primary |
| Year range | R-12 | R-6 |
| Students | 321 | 351 |
| Girls / boys | 157 / 164 | 171 / 180 |
| Foundation intake | 26 | 50 |
| Year 7 cohort | 31 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 14 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +4% | +13% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1087 | 1071 |
| ICSEA percentile | 81th | 76th |
| Top SEA quarter | 34% | 25% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 8% | 11% |
| Students per teacher | 10.8 | 14.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 29.7 | 23.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 19.8 | 8.7 |
| Language background other than English | 13% | 6% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 1% |
| Suburb | Mount Barker 5251 | Mount Barker 5251 |
| Council area | Mount Barker | Mount Barker |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.mtbarkerwaldorf.sa.edu.au/ | www.stmarks.sa.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Mount Barker Waldorf School scores higher on the Success Index (66.7 vs 65.1).
- •Mount Barker Waldorf School has the higher ICSEA (1087 vs 1071), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Mount Barker Waldorf School has fewer students per teacher (10.8 vs 14.9).
- •St Mark's Lutheran School is the larger school with 351 students compared with 321.
- •St Mark's Lutheran School has grown faster over five years (13% vs 4%).
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 Waldorf School better than St Mark's Lutheran School?
On the Success Index, Mount Barker Waldorf School ranks higher (66.7 vs 65.1 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 Waldorf School and St Mark's Lutheran School?
About 1.8 km in a straight line, between Mount Barker and Mount Barker in South Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Mount Barker Waldorf School has 10.8 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mark's Lutheran School has 14.9.
How do Mount Barker Waldorf School and St Mark's Lutheran School rank in SA?
Mount Barker Waldorf School is 20th of 145 and St Mark's Lutheran School is 92nd of 348 among combined schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.