Para Hills High School vs Thomas More College
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in South Australia, 2.9 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Para Hills High School
Para Hills West · Government high school · U, 7-12
670 students · ICSEA 948
Thomas More College
Salisbury Downs · Catholic high school · 7-12
1,132 students · ICSEA 973
| Measure | Para Hills High School Para Hills West SA | Thomas More College Salisbury Downs SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 41 Lower 50% | 40 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #49 of 84 | #53 of 84 |
| National rank (type) | #933 of 1,472 | #965 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | U, 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 670 | 1,132 |
| Girls / boys | 291 / 379 | 558 / 574 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 122 | 219 |
| Year 12 cohort | 71 | 134 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +36% | +24% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 948 | 973 |
| ICSEA percentile | 24th | 35th |
| Top SEA quarter | 7% | 7% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 50% | 44% |
| Students per teacher | 12.5 | 11.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 53.5 | 95.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 30.0 | 44.8 |
| Language background other than English | 41% | 55% |
| Indigenous students | 10% | 1% |
| Suburb | Para Hills West 5096 | Salisbury Downs 5108 |
| Council area | Salisbury | Salisbury |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.phhs.sa.edu.au | www.tmc.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Para Hills High School scores higher on the Success Index (41.0 vs 39.6).
- •Thomas More College has the higher ICSEA (973 vs 948), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Thomas More College has fewer students per teacher (11.8 vs 12.5).
- •Thomas More College is the larger school with 1,132 students compared with 670.
- •Para Hills High School has grown faster over five years (36% vs 24%).
- •Para Hills High School is a government school while Thomas More 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.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Para Hills High School better than Thomas More College?
On the Success Index, Para Hills High School ranks higher (41.0 vs 39.6 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 Para Hills High School and Thomas More College?
About 2.9 km in a straight line, between Para Hills West and Salisbury Downs in South Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Para Hills High School has 12.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Thomas More College has 11.8.
How do Para Hills High School and Thomas More College rank in SA?
Para Hills High School is 49th of 84 and Thomas More College is 53rd of 84 among secondary schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.