Penola High School vs Peterborough High School
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in South Australia, 522 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
Peterborough High School
Peterborough · Government high school · U, 7-12
53 students · ICSEA 931
| Measure | Penola High School Penola SA | Peterborough High School Peterborough SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 32 Lower 50% | 34 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #63 of 84 | – |
| National rank (type) | #1136 of 1,472 | – |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | U, 7-12 |
| Students | 113 | 53 |
| Girls / boys | 63 / 50 | 28 / 25 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 23 | 14 |
| Year 12 cohort | 10 | 6 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +26% | -27% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 933 | 931 |
| ICSEA percentile | 19th | 18th |
| Top SEA quarter | 4% | 9% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 63% | 47% |
| Students per teacher | 8.4 | 6.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 13.4 | 8.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 8.5 | 9.3 |
| Language background other than English | 2% | 5% |
| Indigenous students | 5% | 28% |
| Suburb | Penola 5277 | Peterborough 5422 |
| Council area | Wattle Range | Peterborough |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | www.penolahs.sa.edu.au | www.phs.sa.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Peterborough High School scores higher on the Success Index (34.1 vs 31.9).
- •Penola High School has the higher ICSEA (933 vs 931), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Peterborough High School has fewer students per teacher (6.6 vs 8.4).
- •Penola High School is the larger school with 113 students compared with 53.
- •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 Peterborough High School?
On the Success Index, Peterborough High School ranks higher (34.1 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 Peterborough High School?
About 522 km in a straight line, between Penola and Peterborough in South Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Penola High School has 8.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Peterborough High School has 6.6.
How do Penola High School and Peterborough High School rank in SA?
Penola High School is 63rd of 84 and Peterborough High School is unranked among secondary schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.