Samaritan College vs Whyalla Secondary College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in South Australia, 1.8 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Samaritan College
Whyalla · Catholic combined · R-12
881 students · ICSEA 979
Whyalla Secondary College
Whyalla Norrie · Government high school · U, 7-12
1,004 students · ICSEA 900
| Measure | Samaritan College Whyalla SA | Whyalla Secondary College Whyalla Norrie SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 33 Lower 50% | 8 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #113 of 145 | #84 of 84 |
| National rank (type) | #999 of 1,259 | #1472 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Combined | Secondary |
| Year range | R-12 | U, 7-12 |
| Students | 881 | 1,004 |
| Girls / boys | 466 / 415 | 467 / 537 |
| Foundation intake | 82 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 104 | 112 |
| Year 12 cohort | 67 | 150 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +31% | – |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 979 | 900 |
| ICSEA percentile | 37th | 11th |
| Top SEA quarter | 8% | 3% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 37% | 63% |
| Students per teacher | 13.9 | 16.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 63.2 | 62.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 41.4 | 53.6 |
| Language background other than English | 5% | 10% |
| Indigenous students | 9% | 21% |
| Suburb | Whyalla 5600 | Whyalla Norrie 5608 |
| Council area | Whyalla | Whyalla |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | www.samaritan.catholic.edu.au | wsc.sa.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Samaritan College scores higher on the Success Index (33.3 vs 7.6).
- •Samaritan College has the higher ICSEA (979 vs 900), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Samaritan College has fewer students per teacher (13.9 vs 16.0).
- •Whyalla Secondary College is the larger school with 1,004 students compared with 881.
- •Samaritan College is a catholic school while Whyalla Secondary College is a government 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 Samaritan College better than Whyalla Secondary College?
On the Success Index, Samaritan College ranks higher (33.3 vs 7.6 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 Samaritan College and Whyalla Secondary College?
About 1.8 km in a straight line, between Whyalla and Whyalla Norrie in South Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Samaritan College has 13.9 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Whyalla Secondary College has 16.0.
How do Samaritan College and Whyalla Secondary College rank in SA?
Samaritan College is 113th of 145 and Whyalla Secondary College is 84th of 84 among combined schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.