Pennington School R-6 vs St Patrick's School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in South Australia, 1.9 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 Patrick's School
Mansfield Park · Catholic primary · R-6
180 students · ICSEA 1002
| Measure | Pennington School R-6 Pennington SA | St Patrick's School Mansfield Park SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 31 Lower 50% | 50 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #287 of 348 | #176 of 348 |
| National rank (type) | #4046 of 4,908 | #2669 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | U, R-6 | R-6 |
| Students | 262 | 180 |
| Girls / boys | 124 / 138 | 91 / 89 |
| Foundation intake | 49 | 20 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -15% | -21% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 934 | 1002 |
| ICSEA percentile | 19th | 48th |
| Top SEA quarter | 6% | 11% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 49% | 34% |
| Students per teacher | 10.6 | 11.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 24.8 | 16.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 17.2 | 12.3 |
| Language background other than English | 69% | 80% |
| Indigenous students | 23% | 1% |
| Suburb | Pennington 5013 | Mansfield Park 5012 |
| Council area | Charles Sturt | Port Adelaide Enfield |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | penningtonr6.sa.edu.au/ | www.stpatsmp.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Patrick's School scores higher on the Success Index (50.2 vs 31.1).
- •St Patrick's School has the higher ICSEA (1002 vs 934), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Pennington School R-6 is the larger school with 262 students compared with 180.
- •Pennington School R-6 has grown faster over five years (-15% vs -21%).
- •Pennington School R-6 is a government school while St Patrick'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 Patrick's School?
On the Success Index, St Patrick's School ranks higher (50.2 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 Patrick's School?
About 1.9 km in a straight line, between Pennington and Mansfield Park 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 Patrick's School has 11.0.
How do Pennington School R-6 and St Patrick's School rank in SA?
Pennington School R-6 is 287th of 348 and St Patrick's School is 176th of 348 among primary schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.