Stella Maris Parish School vs Sunrise Christian School Marion
Stella Maris Parish School (Seacombe Gardens) is a catholic school and Sunrise Christian School Marion (Marion) is a independent school. Both are co-educational. Stella Maris Parish School teaches R-6 and Sunrise Christian School Marion teaches R-9. Stella Maris Parish School has 429 students and Sunrise Christian School Marion has 320 (ACARA 2025). They are about 1.5 km apart in a straight line.
Photos: Stella Maris Parish 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 | Stella Maris Parish School | Sunrise Christian School Marion |
|---|---|---|
| Suburb | Seacombe Gardens | Marion |
| Region | Adelaide - South | Adelaide - South |
| Sector | Catholic | Independent |
| Students | Co-ed | Co-ed |
| Year levels | R-6 | R-9 |
| Religion | Catholic (Good Samaritan) | Christian |
| Boarding | No | No |
| Senior years | No senior years (Reception to Year 6) | No senior years (Years 10–12 at Temple Christian College) |
| Facilities and sport (school site) | Early learning centre | |
| Distance apart | About 1.5 km in a straight line | |
Facts from ACARA (2025) and each school’s own website.
Which suits whom
- Families choosing by faith: Stella Maris Parish School is Catholic (Good Samaritan); Sunrise Christian School Marion is Christian.
- Size: Stella Maris Parish School is the larger school, with 109 more students.
- Smaller ratio: Sunrise Christian School Marion has fewer students per teacher (14.4 against 15.7, ACARA 2025).
History
Stella Maris Parish School
Stella Maris Parish School was founded in 1956 by the Sisters of the Good Samaritan, under the protection of Our Lady Stella Maris, Star of the Sea.
Source: smps.catholic.edu.au
Sunrise Christian School Marion
Sunrise Christian School Marion began as the Maranatha Assembly and School and became part of Sunrise Christian School in 2001. Sunrise Christian School began in 1978 as a ministry of Adelaide Christian Centre in Sturt Street, from a vision of its senior pastor, Leo Harris, who made the first donation to the project.
Source: sunrise.sa.edu.au
Questions parents ask
What is the difference between Stella Maris Parish School and Sunrise Christian School Marion?
Both are co-educational. Stella Maris Parish School teaches R-6 and Sunrise Christian School Marion teaches R-9. Stella Maris Parish School has 429 students and Sunrise Christian School Marion has 320 (ACARA 2025).
Is Stella Maris Parish School or Sunrise Christian School Marion co-ed?
Both are co-educational.
Which is bigger, Stella Maris Parish School or Sunrise Christian School Marion?
Stella Maris Parish School is bigger: 429 students against 320 (ACARA 2025).
How many students per teacher do Stella Maris Parish School and Sunrise Christian School Marion have?
Stella Maris Parish School has 15.7 students per teacher and Sunrise Christian School Marion has 14.4 (ACARA My School 2025: total enrolments divided by full-time-equivalent teaching staff).
Which is older, Stella Maris Parish School or Sunrise Christian School Marion?
Stella Maris Parish School is older. Stella Maris Parish School was founded in 1956 and Sunrise Christian School Marion in 2001.
Do Stella Maris Parish School and Sunrise Christian School Marion take boarders?
Neither takes boarders.
How far apart are Stella Maris Parish School and Sunrise Christian School Marion?
About 1.5 km in a straight line: Stella Maris Parish School is in Seacombe Gardens and Sunrise Christian School Marion is in Marion.
How do Stella Maris Parish School and Sunrise Christian School Marion 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.
Related comparisons
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