Darwin Middle School vs SEDA College NT
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in Northern Territory, 1.6 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
SEDA College NT
Fannie Bay · Independent high school · 10-12
150 students · ICSEA 980
| Measure | Darwin Middle School The Gardens NT | SEDA College NT Fannie Bay NT |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 58 Top 50% | 44 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #5 of 23 | #10 of 23 |
| National rank (type) | #567 of 1,472 | #859 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-9 | 10-12 |
| Students | 663 | 150 |
| Girls / boys | 349 / 314 | 71 / 79 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 208 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 43 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -23% | – |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1065 | 980 |
| ICSEA percentile | 74th | 38th |
| Top SEA quarter | 35% | 14% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 13% | 24% |
| Students per teacher | 16.5 | 13.2 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 40.2 | 11.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 17.0 | 7.7 |
| Language background other than English | 57% | 1% |
| Indigenous students | 7% | 23% |
| Suburb | The Gardens 0820 | Fannie Bay 0820 |
| Council area | Darwin | Darwin |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | www.darwinmiddle.nt.edu.au | seda.nt.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Darwin Middle School scores higher on the Success Index (57.5 vs 43.9).
- •Darwin Middle School has the higher ICSEA (1065 vs 980), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •SEDA College NT has fewer students per teacher (13.2 vs 16.5).
- •Darwin Middle School is the larger school with 663 students compared with 150.
- •Darwin Middle School is a government school while SEDA College NT is an independent 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 Darwin Middle School better than SEDA College NT?
On the Success Index, Darwin Middle School ranks higher (57.5 vs 43.9 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 Darwin Middle School and SEDA College NT?
About 1.6 km in a straight line, between The Gardens and Fannie Bay in Northern Territory.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Darwin Middle School has 16.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and SEDA College NT has 13.2.
How do Darwin Middle School and SEDA College NT rank in NT?
Darwin Middle School is 5th of 23 and SEDA College NT is 10th of 23 among secondary schools in Northern Territory on the 2025 Success Index.