Mount Gambier High School vs Para Hills High School
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in South Australia, 386 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Mount Gambier High School
Mount Gambier · Government high school · U, 7-12
778 students · ICSEA 946
Para Hills High School
Para Hills West · Government high school · U, 7-12
670 students · ICSEA 948
| Measure | Mount Gambier High School Mount Gambier SA | Para Hills High School Para Hills West SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 26 Lower 50% | 41 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #72 of 84 | #49 of 84 |
| National rank (type) | #1293 of 1,472 | #933 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | U, 7-12 | U, 7-12 |
| Students | 778 | 670 |
| Girls / boys | 390 / 388 | 291 / 379 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 142 | 122 |
| Year 12 cohort | 119 | 71 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +6% | +36% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 946 | 948 |
| ICSEA percentile | 23th | 24th |
| Top SEA quarter | 4% | 7% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 54% | 50% |
| Students per teacher | 13.9 | 12.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 55.9 | 53.5 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 34.1 | 30.0 |
| Language background other than English | 10% | 41% |
| Indigenous students | 7% | 10% |
| Suburb | Mount Gambier 5290 | Para Hills West 5096 |
| Council area | Mount Gambier | Salisbury |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Major Cities |
| Website | www.mghs.sa.edu.au | www.phhs.sa.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Para Hills High School scores higher on the Success Index (41.0 vs 25.6).
- •Para Hills High School has the higher ICSEA (948 vs 946), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Para Hills High School has fewer students per teacher (12.5 vs 13.9).
- •Mount Gambier High School is the larger school with 778 students compared with 670.
- •Para Hills High School has grown faster over five years (36% vs 6%).
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 Gambier High School better than Para Hills High School?
On the Success Index, Para Hills High School ranks higher (41.0 vs 25.6 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 Gambier High School and Para Hills High School?
About 386 km in a straight line, between Mount Gambier and Para Hills West in South Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Mount Gambier High School has 13.9 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Para Hills High School has 12.5.
How do Mount Gambier High School and Para Hills High School rank in SA?
Mount Gambier High School is 72nd of 84 and Para Hills High School is 49th of 84 among secondary schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.