Penola High School vs Penola Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in South Australia, 1.1 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Penola High School
Penola · Government high school · 7-12
113 students · ICSEA 933
Penola Primary School
Penola · Government primary · R-6
133 students · ICSEA 977
| Measure | Penola High School Penola SA | Penola Primary School Penola SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 32 Lower 50% | 45 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #63 of 84 | #212 of 348 |
| National rank (type) | #1136 of 1,472 | #3111 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | R-6 |
| Students | 113 | 133 |
| Girls / boys | 63 / 50 | 63 / 70 |
| Foundation intake | – | 25 |
| Year 7 cohort | 23 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 10 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +26% | -27% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 933 | 977 |
| ICSEA percentile | 19th | 36th |
| Top SEA quarter | 4% | 13% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 63% | 44% |
| Students per teacher | 8.4 | 9.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 13.4 | 13.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 8.5 | 6.1 |
| Language background other than English | 2% | 2% |
| Indigenous students | 5% | 7% |
| Suburb | Penola 5277 | Penola 5277 |
| Council area | Wattle Range | Wattle Range |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | www.penolahs.sa.edu.au | www.penolaps.sa.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Penola Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (44.6 vs 31.9).
- •Penola Primary School has the higher ICSEA (977 vs 933), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Penola High School has fewer students per teacher (8.4 vs 9.6).
- •Penola Primary School is the larger school with 133 students compared with 113.
- •Penola High School has grown faster over five years (26% vs -27%).
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 Penola High School better than Penola Primary School?
On the Success Index, Penola Primary School ranks higher (44.6 vs 31.9 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 Penola High School and Penola Primary School?
About 1.1 km in a straight line, between Penola and Penola in South Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Penola High School has 8.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Penola Primary School has 9.6.
How do Penola High School and Penola Primary School rank in SA?
Penola High School is 63rd of 84 and Penola Primary School is 212th of 348 among secondary schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.