Centralian Middle School vs Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Northern Territory, 1.1 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Centralian Middle School
Alice Springs · Government high school · 7-9
338 students · ICSEA 816
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic College
Alice Springs · Catholic combined · T-12
823 students · ICSEA 1028
| Measure | Centralian Middle School Alice Springs NT | Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic College Alice Springs NT |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 26 Lower 50% | 49 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #13 of 23 | #6 of 40 |
| National rank (type) | #1285 of 1,472 | #670 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Combined |
| Year range | 7-9 | T-12 |
| Students | 338 | 823 |
| Girls / boys | 170 / 168 | 383 / 440 |
| Foundation intake | – | 65 |
| Year 7 cohort | 118 | 82 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 47 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +5% | +10% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 816 | 1028 |
| ICSEA percentile | 3th | 59th |
| Top SEA quarter | 4% | 24% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 60% | 17% |
| Students per teacher | 9.0 | 13.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 37.7 | 63.3 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 35.2 | 46.2 |
| Language background other than English | 47% | 51% |
| Indigenous students | 59% | 11% |
| Suburb | Alice Springs 0870 | Alice Springs 0870 |
| Council area | Alice Springs | Alice Springs |
| Remoteness | Remote | Remote |
| Website | www.cms.nt.edu.au/ | www.olshalice.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic College scores higher on the Success Index (49.4 vs 25.7).
- •Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic College has the higher ICSEA (1028 vs 816), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Centralian Middle School has fewer students per teacher (9.0 vs 13.0).
- •Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic College is the larger school with 823 students compared with 338.
- •Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic College has grown faster over five years (10% vs 5%).
- •Centralian Middle School is a government school while Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic 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 Centralian Middle School better than Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic College?
On the Success Index, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic College ranks higher (49.4 vs 25.7 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 Centralian Middle School and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic College?
About 1.1 km in a straight line, between Alice Springs and Alice Springs in Northern Territory.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Centralian Middle School has 9.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic College has 13.0.
How do Centralian Middle School and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic College rank in NT?
Centralian Middle School is 13th of 23 and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic College is 6th of 40 among secondary schools in Northern Territory on the 2025 Success Index.