Pennington School R-6 vs St Joseph's School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in South Australia, 1.3 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Pennington School R-6
Pennington · Government primary · U, R-6
262 students · ICSEA 934
St Joseph's School
Ottoway · Catholic primary · R-6
154 students · ICSEA 990
| Measure | Pennington School R-6 Pennington SA | St Joseph's School Ottoway SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 31 Lower 50% | 46 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #287 of 348 | #199 of 348 |
| National rank (type) | #4046 of 4,908 | #3017 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | U, R-6 | R-6 |
| Students | 262 | 154 |
| Girls / boys | 124 / 138 | 89 / 65 |
| Foundation intake | 49 | 16 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -15% | +8% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 934 | 990 |
| ICSEA percentile | 19th | 42th |
| Top SEA quarter | 6% | 9% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 49% | 39% |
| Students per teacher | 10.6 | 14.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 24.8 | 10.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 17.2 | 13.2 |
| Language background other than English | 69% | 80% |
| Indigenous students | 23% | 5% |
| Suburb | Pennington 5013 | Ottoway 5013 |
| Council area | Charles Sturt | Port Adelaide Enfield |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | penningtonr6.sa.edu.au/ | www.stjotto.catholic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •St Joseph's School scores higher on the Success Index (45.9 vs 31.1).
- •St Joseph's School has the higher ICSEA (990 vs 934), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Pennington School R-6 has fewer students per teacher (10.6 vs 14.5).
- •Pennington School R-6 is the larger school with 262 students compared with 154.
- •St Joseph's School has grown faster over five years (8% vs -15%).
- •Pennington School R-6 is a government school while St Joseph's School 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 Pennington School R-6 better than St Joseph's School?
On the Success Index, St Joseph's School ranks higher (45.9 vs 31.1 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 Pennington School R-6 and St Joseph's School?
About 1.3 km in a straight line, between Pennington and Ottoway in South Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Pennington School R-6 has 10.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Joseph's School has 14.5.
How do Pennington School R-6 and St Joseph's School rank in SA?
Pennington School R-6 is 287th of 348 and St Joseph's School is 199th of 348 among primary schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.