Plympton International College vs The Heights School
A head-to-head comparison of two combined schools in South Australia, 21 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Plympton International College
Plympton · Government combined · R-12
825 students · ICSEA 1044
The Heights School
Modbury Heights · Government combined · U, R-12
1,811 students · ICSEA 1060
| Measure | Plympton International College Plympton SA | The Heights School Modbury Heights SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 53 Top 50% | 56 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #47 of 145 | #40 of 145 |
| National rank (type) | #583 of 1,259 | #525 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Combined | Combined |
| Year range | R-12 | U, R-12 |
| Students | 825 | 1,811 |
| Girls / boys | 370 / 455 | 857 / 954 |
| Foundation intake | 30 | 77 |
| Year 7 cohort | 70 | 206 |
| Year 12 cohort | 100 | 157 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +33% | +23% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1044 | 1060 |
| ICSEA percentile | 66th | 72th |
| Top SEA quarter | 22% | 25% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 21% | 16% |
| Students per teacher | 12.8 | 16.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 63.9 | 113.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 16.8 | 42.2 |
| Language background other than English | 45% | 54% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 2% |
| Suburb | Plympton 5038 | Modbury Heights 5092 |
| Council area | West Torrens | Tea Tree Gully |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.plymptoncollege.sa.edu.au | www.theheights.sa.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •The Heights School scores higher on the Success Index (56.4 vs 53.3).
- •The Heights School has the higher ICSEA (1060 vs 1044), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Plympton International College has fewer students per teacher (12.8 vs 16.0).
- •The Heights School is the larger school with 1,811 students compared with 825.
- •Plympton International College has grown faster over five years (33% vs 23%).
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 Plympton International College better than The Heights School?
On the Success Index, The Heights School ranks higher (56.4 vs 53.3 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 Plympton International College and The Heights School?
About 21 km in a straight line, between Plympton and Modbury Heights in South Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Plympton International College has 12.8 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and The Heights School has 16.0.
How do Plympton International College and The Heights School rank in SA?
Plympton International College is 47th of 145 and The Heights School is 40th of 145 among combined schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.