Driver Primary School vs Palmerston 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.
Driver Primary School
Driver · Government primary · T-6
409 students · ICSEA 914
Palmerston College
Driver · Government high school · 7-12
1,267 students · ICSEA 884
| Measure | Driver Primary School Driver NT | Palmerston College Driver NT |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 25 Lower 50% | 22 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #40 of 52 | #21 of 23 |
| National rank (type) | #4487 of 4,908 | #1378 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
| Year range | T-6 | 7-12 |
| Students | 409 | 1,267 |
| Girls / boys | 203 / 206 | 574 / 693 |
| Foundation intake | 72 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 228 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 140 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -8% | +4% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 914 | 884 |
| ICSEA percentile | 14th | 8th |
| Top SEA quarter | 6% | 4% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 43% | 54% |
| Students per teacher | 14.5 | 11.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 28.0 | 110.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 23.1 | 76.3 |
| Language background other than English | 24% | 30% |
| Indigenous students | 35% | 39% |
| Suburb | Driver 0830 | Driver 0830 |
| Council area | Palmerston | Palmerston |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | www.driverprimary.nt.edu.au | www.palmerstoncollege.nt.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Driver Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (25.1 vs 22.2).
- •Driver Primary School has the higher ICSEA (914 vs 884), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Palmerston College has fewer students per teacher (11.4 vs 14.5).
- •Palmerston College is the larger school with 1,267 students compared with 409.
- •Palmerston College has grown faster over five years (4% vs -8%).
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 Driver Primary School better than Palmerston College?
On the Success Index, Driver Primary School ranks higher (25.1 vs 22.2 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 Driver Primary School and Palmerston College?
About 1.1 km in a straight line, between Driver and Driver in Northern Territory.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Driver Primary School has 14.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Palmerston College has 11.4.
How do Driver Primary School and Palmerston College rank in NT?
Driver Primary School is 40th of 52 and Palmerston College is 21st of 23 among primary schools in Northern Territory on the 2025 Success Index.