Sunrise Christian School Marion vs The Hills Christian Community 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.
Sunrise Christian School Marion
Marion · Independent combined · R-9
320 students · ICSEA 1090
The Hills Christian Community School
Verdun · Independent combined · R-12
640 students · ICSEA 1092
| Measure | Sunrise Christian School Marion Marion SA | The Hills Christian Community School Verdun SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 59 Top 50% | 67 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #32 of 145 | #19 of 145 |
| National rank (type) | #480 of 1,259 | #327 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Independent | Independent |
| Type | Combined | Combined |
| Year range | R-9 | R-12 |
| Students | 320 | 640 |
| Girls / boys | 162 / 158 | 314 / 326 |
| Foundation intake | 23 | 50 |
| Year 7 cohort | 34 | 53 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 28 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +32% | +30% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1090 | 1092 |
| ICSEA percentile | 81th | 82th |
| Top SEA quarter | 35% | 35% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 7% | 7% |
| Students per teacher | 14.4 | 13.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 22.2 | 48.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 15.1 | 29.9 |
| Language background other than English | 41% | 5% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 1% |
| Suburb | Marion 5043 | Verdun 5245 |
| Council area | Marion | Adelaide Hills |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Inner Regional |
| Website | sunrise.sa.edu.au/marion/ | www.hills.sa.edu.au |
The verdict
- •The Hills Christian Community School scores higher on the Success Index (66.8 vs 58.9).
- •The Hills Christian Community School has the higher ICSEA (1092 vs 1090), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •The Hills Christian Community School has fewer students per teacher (13.1 vs 14.4).
- •The Hills Christian Community School is the larger school with 640 students compared with 320.
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 Sunrise Christian School Marion better than The Hills Christian Community School?
On the Success Index, The Hills Christian Community School ranks higher (66.8 vs 58.9 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 Sunrise Christian School Marion and The Hills Christian Community School?
About 21 km in a straight line, between Marion and Verdun in South Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Sunrise Christian School Marion has 14.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and The Hills Christian Community School has 13.1.
How do Sunrise Christian School Marion and The Hills Christian Community School rank in SA?
Sunrise Christian School Marion is 32nd of 145 and The Hills Christian Community School is 19th of 145 among combined schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.