Dripstone Secondary College vs Nightcliff High School
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in Northern Territory, 3.7 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Dripstone Secondary College
Tiwi · Government high school · 7-9
605 students · ICSEA 994
Nightcliff High School
Nightcliff · Government high school · 7-9
409 students · ICSEA 986
| Measure | Dripstone Secondary College Tiwi NT | Nightcliff High School Nightcliff NT |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 52 Top 50% | 50 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #7 of 23 | #9 of 23 |
| National rank (type) | #703 of 1,472 | #749 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-9 | 7-9 |
| Students | 605 | 409 |
| Girls / boys | 287 / 318 | 181 / 228 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 226 | 145 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +16% | +12% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 994 | 986 |
| ICSEA percentile | 44th | 40th |
| Top SEA quarter | 18% | 20% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 27% | 31% |
| Students per teacher | 14.2 | 13.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 42.0 | 29.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 19.8 | 11.8 |
| Language background other than English | 46% | 51% |
| Indigenous students | 20% | 19% |
| Suburb | Tiwi 0810 | Nightcliff 0810 |
| Council area | Darwin | Darwin |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | www.dripstonemiddle.nt.edu.au | www.nightcliffmiddle.nt.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Dripstone Secondary College scores higher on the Success Index (51.7 vs 49.6).
- •Dripstone Secondary College has the higher ICSEA (994 vs 986), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Nightcliff High School has fewer students per teacher (13.6 vs 14.2).
- •Dripstone Secondary College is the larger school with 605 students compared with 409.
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 Dripstone Secondary College better than Nightcliff High School?
On the Success Index, Dripstone Secondary College ranks higher (51.7 vs 49.6 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 Dripstone Secondary College and Nightcliff High School?
About 3.7 km in a straight line, between Tiwi and Nightcliff in Northern Territory.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Dripstone Secondary College has 14.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Nightcliff High School has 13.6.
How do Dripstone Secondary College and Nightcliff High School rank in NT?
Dripstone Secondary College is 7th of 23 and Nightcliff High School is 9th of 23 among secondary schools in Northern Territory on the 2025 Success Index.