Darwin Middle School vs Parap Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Northern Territory, 1.3 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Darwin Middle School
The Gardens · Government high school · 7-9
663 students · ICSEA 1065
Parap Primary School
Parap · Government primary · T-6
405 students · ICSEA 1066
| Measure | Darwin Middle School The Gardens NT | Parap Primary School Parap NT |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 58 Top 50% | 63 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #5 of 23 | #4 of 52 |
| National rank (type) | #567 of 1,472 | #1645 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-9 | T-6 |
| Students | 663 | 405 |
| Girls / boys | 349 / 314 | 206 / 199 |
| Foundation intake | – | 51 |
| Year 7 cohort | 208 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -23% | -8% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1065 | 1066 |
| ICSEA percentile | 74th | 74th |
| Top SEA quarter | 35% | 33% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 13% | 9% |
| Students per teacher | 16.5 | 15.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 40.2 | 26.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 17.0 | 12.8 |
| Language background other than English | 57% | 34% |
| Indigenous students | 7% | 6% |
| Suburb | The Gardens 0820 | Parap 0820 |
| Council area | Darwin | Darwin |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | www.darwinmiddle.nt.edu.au | www.parapprimary.com.au |
The verdict
- •Parap Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (63.0 vs 57.5).
- •Parap Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1066 vs 1065), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Parap Primary School has fewer students per teacher (15.4 vs 16.5).
- •Darwin Middle School is the larger school with 663 students compared with 405.
- •Parap Primary School has grown faster over five years (-8% vs -23%).
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 Darwin Middle School better than Parap Primary School?
On the Success Index, Parap Primary School ranks higher (63.0 vs 57.5 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 Darwin Middle School and Parap Primary School?
About 1.3 km in a straight line, between The Gardens and Parap in Northern Territory.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Darwin Middle School has 16.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Parap Primary School has 15.4.
How do Darwin Middle School and Parap Primary School rank in NT?
Darwin Middle School is 5th of 23 and Parap Primary School is 4th of 52 among secondary schools in Northern Territory on the 2025 Success Index.