Howard Springs Primary School vs MacKillop Catholic College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Northern Territory, 3.9 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Howard Springs Primary School
Howard Springs · Government primary · T-6
277 students · ICSEA 951
MacKillop Catholic College
Johnston · Catholic high school · 7-12
795 students · ICSEA 1001
| Measure | Howard Springs Primary School Howard Springs NT | MacKillop Catholic College Johnston NT |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 35 Lower 50% | 59 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #26 of 52 | #4 of 23 |
| National rank (type) | #3765 of 4,908 | #535 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
| Year range | T-6 | 7-12 |
| Students | 277 | 795 |
| Girls / boys | 127 / 150 | 397 / 398 |
| Foundation intake | 41 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 191 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 87 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +13% | +4% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 951 | 1001 |
| ICSEA percentile | 25th | 47th |
| Top SEA quarter | 9% | 12% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 36% | 22% |
| Students per teacher | 14.4 | 10.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 19.3 | 76.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 9.8 | 48.9 |
| Language background other than English | 13% | 18% |
| Indigenous students | 21% | 13% |
| Suburb | Howard Springs 0835 | Johnston 0832 |
| Council area | Litchfield | Palmerston |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | www.howardspringsprimary.nt.edu.au/ | www.mackillopnt.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •MacKillop Catholic College scores higher on the Success Index (59.1 vs 35.1).
- •MacKillop Catholic College has the higher ICSEA (1001 vs 951), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •MacKillop Catholic College has fewer students per teacher (10.4 vs 14.4).
- •MacKillop Catholic College is the larger school with 795 students compared with 277.
- •Howard Springs Primary School has grown faster over five years (13% vs 4%).
- •Howard Springs Primary School is a government school while MacKillop 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 Howard Springs Primary School better than MacKillop Catholic College?
On the Success Index, MacKillop Catholic College ranks higher (59.1 vs 35.1 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 Howard Springs Primary School and MacKillop Catholic College?
About 3.9 km in a straight line, between Howard Springs and Johnston in Northern Territory.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Howard Springs Primary School has 14.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and MacKillop Catholic College has 10.4.
How do Howard Springs Primary School and MacKillop Catholic College rank in NT?
Howard Springs Primary School is 26th of 52 and MacKillop Catholic College is 4th of 23 among primary schools in Northern Territory on the 2025 Success Index.