Nightcliff High School vs St Paul's Catholic Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Northern Territory, 1.2 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Nightcliff High School
Nightcliff · Government high school · 7-9
409 students · ICSEA 986
St Paul's Catholic Primary School
Rapid Creek · Catholic primary · T-6
221 students · ICSEA 1077
| Measure | Nightcliff High School Nightcliff NT | St Paul's Catholic Primary School Rapid Creek NT |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 50 Lower 50% | 77 Top 10% |
| State rank (type) | #9 of 23 | #1 of 52 |
| National rank (type) | #749 of 1,472 | #411 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-9 | T-6 |
| Students | 409 | 221 |
| Girls / boys | 181 / 228 | 117 / 104 |
| Foundation intake | – | 20 |
| Year 7 cohort | 145 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +12% | +22% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 986 | 1077 |
| ICSEA percentile | 40th | 78th |
| Top SEA quarter | 20% | 40% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 31% | 7% |
| Students per teacher | 13.6 | 11.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 29.6 | 18.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 11.8 | 11.2 |
| Language background other than English | 51% | 41% |
| Indigenous students | 19% | 9% |
| Suburb | Nightcliff 0810 | Rapid Creek 0810 |
| Council area | Darwin | Darwin |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | www.nightcliffmiddle.nt.edu.au | www.stpaulsnt.catholic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •St Paul's Catholic Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (76.8 vs 49.6).
- •St Paul's Catholic Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1077 vs 986), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Paul's Catholic Primary School has fewer students per teacher (11.9 vs 13.6).
- •Nightcliff High School is the larger school with 409 students compared with 221.
- •St Paul's Catholic Primary School has grown faster over five years (22% vs 12%).
- •Nightcliff High School is a government school while St Paul's Catholic Primary School 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 Nightcliff High School better than St Paul's Catholic Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Paul's Catholic Primary School ranks higher (76.8 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 Nightcliff High School and St Paul's Catholic Primary School?
About 1.2 km in a straight line, between Nightcliff and Rapid Creek in Northern Territory.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Nightcliff High School has 13.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Paul's Catholic Primary School has 11.9.
How do Nightcliff High School and St Paul's Catholic Primary School rank in NT?
Nightcliff High School is 9th of 23 and St Paul's Catholic Primary School is 1st of 52 among secondary schools in Northern Territory on the 2025 Success Index.