St Joseph's School vs The Hills Montessori School
St Joseph's School (West Hindmarsh) is a catholic school and The Hills Montessori School (Aldgate) is a independent school. Both are co-educational. St Joseph's School teaches R-6 and The Hills Montessori School teaches R-9. St Joseph's School has 223 students and The Hills Montessori School has 133 (ACARA 2025). They are about 13.1 km apart in a straight line.
Photos: St Joseph's School (school website) · The Hills Montessori School (school website)
See both schools’ full fees, ATAR results and cost to Year 12
Every year level’s fees from each school’s own schedule, the results each school publishes, and the total cost to Year 12, side by side.
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Key numbers
Students, ICSEA, students per teacher and girls/boys: ACARA My School 2025 (students per teacher is total enrolments divided by full-time-equivalent teaching staff; it isn’t class size).
Fees and results
Side by side
| Fact | St Joseph's School | The Hills Montessori School |
|---|---|---|
| Suburb | West Hindmarsh | Aldgate |
| Region | Adelaide - West | Adelaide - Central and Hills |
| Sector | Catholic | Independent |
| Students | Co-ed | Co-ed |
| Year levels | R-6 | R-9 |
| Religion | Catholic (Josephite) | Non-denominational (Montessori education) |
| Boarding | No | No |
| Senior years | No senior years (Reception to Year 6) | No senior years (to Year 9) |
| Facilities and sport (school site) | Oval, Australian rules football, Soccer, Netball, Cricket, Basketball, Swimming, Athletics, Tennis | |
| Distance apart | About 13.1 km in a straight line | |
Facts from ACARA (2025) and each school’s own website.
Which suits whom
- Families choosing by faith: St Joseph's School is Catholic (Josephite); The Hills Montessori School is Non-denominational (Montessori education).
- Location: St Joseph's School is in West Hindmarsh (Adelaide - West); The Hills Montessori School is in Aldgate (Adelaide - Central and Hills).
- Smaller ratio: The Hills Montessori School has fewer students per teacher (10.6 against 13.7, ACARA 2025).
History
St Joseph's School
St Joseph's School at Hindmarsh opened in 1928 in a purpose-built five-room building on its current site, with the land and building funded by the Hindmarsh Catholic Parish. It was one of many schools built on the work of St Mary MacKillop and the Sisters of St Joseph.
Source: sjsh.catholic.edu.au
The Hills Montessori School
The Hills Montessori School was established in 1978. It is an independent school run by parents and staff in a bush setting at Aldgate, and teaches on Montessori principles.
Source: montessori.sa.edu.au
Questions parents ask
What is the difference between St Joseph's School and The Hills Montessori School?
Both are co-educational. St Joseph's School teaches R-6 and The Hills Montessori School teaches R-9. St Joseph's School has 223 students and The Hills Montessori School has 133 (ACARA 2025).
Is St Joseph's School or The Hills Montessori School co-ed?
Both are co-educational.
Which is bigger, St Joseph's School or The Hills Montessori School?
St Joseph's School is bigger: 223 students against 133 (ACARA 2025).
How many students per teacher do St Joseph's School and The Hills Montessori School have?
St Joseph's School has 13.7 students per teacher and The Hills Montessori School has 10.6 (ACARA My School 2025: total enrolments divided by full-time-equivalent teaching staff).
Which is older, St Joseph's School or The Hills Montessori School?
St Joseph's School is older. St Joseph's School was founded in 1928 and The Hills Montessori School in 1978.
Do St Joseph's School and The Hills Montessori School take boarders?
Neither takes boarders.
How far apart are St Joseph's School and The Hills Montessori School?
About 13.1 km in a straight line: St Joseph's School is in West Hindmarsh and The Hills Montessori School is in Aldgate.
How do St Joseph's School and The Hills Montessori School fees compare?
Each school publishes its own fee schedule. Members see both schedules year by year, the results each school reports and the total cost to Year 12. Always confirm current fees with the school.
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School profiles
Get the full picture: fees, ATAR results and cost to Year 12
Every year level’s fees from each school’s own schedule, the results each school publishes, and the total cost to Year 12, side by side.
Compare these schools in full →A$9.99 a year, cancel anytimeSecure payment by Stripe
Source and date
Enrolment, ICSEA, students per teacher and girls/boys: ACARA My School 2025. Other facts: each school’s website, checked 21 October 2026. Distance is a straight line between the schools’ map points, not travel distance. Check details with the schools before deciding. Methodology