Prescott Primary School, Northern vs St Paul's College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in South Australia, 1.6 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Prescott Primary School, Northern
Para Vista · Independent primary · R-6
462 students · ICSEA 1083
St Paul's College
Gilles Plains · Catholic combined · R-12
1,191 students · ICSEA 1037
| Measure | Prescott Primary School, Northern Para Vista SA | St Paul's College Gilles Plains SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 74 Top 25% | 57 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #27 of 348 | #36 of 145 |
| National rank (type) | #588 of 4,908 | #518 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Independent | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Combined |
| Year range | R-6 | R-12 |
| Students | 462 | 1,191 |
| Girls / boys | 220 / 242 | 376 / 815 |
| Foundation intake | 72 | 47 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 162 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 99 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +10% | +60% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1083 | 1037 |
| ICSEA percentile | 80th | 63th |
| Top SEA quarter | 33% | 18% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 11% | 21% |
| Students per teacher | 14.2 | 12.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 32.6 | 93.3 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 21.6 | 52.0 |
| Language background other than English | 88% | 50% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 1% |
| Suburb | Para Vista 5093 | Gilles Plains 5086 |
| Council area | Salisbury | Port Adelaide Enfield |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.prescott.sa.edu.au | www.stpauls.sa.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Prescott Primary School, Northern scores higher on the Success Index (74.4 vs 56.6).
- •Prescott Primary School, Northern has the higher ICSEA (1083 vs 1037), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Paul's College has fewer students per teacher (12.8 vs 14.2).
- •St Paul's College is the larger school with 1,191 students compared with 462.
- •St Paul's College has grown faster over five years (60% vs 10%).
- •Prescott Primary School, Northern is a independent school while St Paul's College 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 Prescott Primary School, Northern better than St Paul's College?
On the Success Index, Prescott Primary School, Northern ranks higher (74.4 vs 56.6 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 Prescott Primary School, Northern and St Paul's College?
About 1.6 km in a straight line, between Para Vista and Gilles Plains in South Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Prescott Primary School, Northern has 14.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Paul's College has 12.8.
How do Prescott Primary School, Northern and St Paul's College rank in SA?
Prescott Primary School, Northern is 27th of 348 and St Paul's College is 36th of 145 among primary schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.