Nightcliff High School vs The Essington School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Northern Territory, 511 m 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
The Essington School
Rapid Creek · Independent combined · T-12
782 students · ICSEA 1128
| Measure | Nightcliff High School Nightcliff NT | The Essington School Rapid Creek NT |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 50 Lower 50% | 71 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #9 of 23 | #2 of 40 |
| National rank (type) | #749 of 1,472 | #242 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Secondary | Combined |
| Year range | 7-9 | T-12 |
| Students | 409 | 782 |
| Girls / boys | 181 / 228 | 376 / 406 |
| Foundation intake | – | 52 |
| Year 7 cohort | 145 | 90 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 51 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +12% | -11% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 986 | 1128 |
| ICSEA percentile | 40th | 91th |
| Top SEA quarter | 20% | 54% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 31% | 3% |
| Students per teacher | 13.6 | 12.2 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 29.6 | 64.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 11.8 | 44.9 |
| Language background other than English | 51% | 40% |
| Indigenous students | 19% | 1% |
| Suburb | Nightcliff 0810 | Rapid Creek 0810 |
| Council area | Darwin | Darwin |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | www.nightcliffmiddle.nt.edu.au | www.essington.nt.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •The Essington School scores higher on the Success Index (71.1 vs 49.6).
- •The Essington School has the higher ICSEA (1128 vs 986), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •The Essington School has fewer students per teacher (12.2 vs 13.6).
- •The Essington School is the larger school with 782 students compared with 409.
- •Nightcliff High School has grown faster over five years (12% vs -11%).
- •Nightcliff High School is a government school while The Essington School 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 Nightcliff High School better than The Essington School?
On the Success Index, The Essington School ranks higher (71.1 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 The Essington School?
About 511 m 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 The Essington School has 12.2.
How do Nightcliff High School and The Essington School rank in NT?
Nightcliff High School is 9th of 23 and The Essington School is 2nd of 40 among secondary schools in Northern Territory on the 2025 Success Index.