Nightcliff Primary School vs St Paul's Catholic Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Northern Territory, 1.2 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Nightcliff Primary School
Nightcliff · Government primary · T-6
478 students · ICSEA 1063
St Paul's Catholic Primary School
Rapid Creek · Catholic primary · T-6
221 students · ICSEA 1077
| Measure | Nightcliff Primary School Nightcliff NT | St Paul's Catholic Primary School Rapid Creek NT |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 62 Top 50% | 77 Top 10% |
| State rank (type) | #5 of 52 | #1 of 52 |
| National rank (type) | #1729 of 4,908 | #411 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | T-6 | T-6 |
| Students | 478 | 221 |
| Girls / boys | 246 / 232 | 117 / 104 |
| Foundation intake | 70 | 20 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -17% | +22% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1063 | 1077 |
| ICSEA percentile | 73th | 78th |
| Top SEA quarter | 36% | 40% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 13% | 7% |
| Students per teacher | 16.4 | 11.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 29.0 | 18.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 10.8 | 11.2 |
| Language background other than English | 49% | 41% |
| Indigenous students | 10% | 9% |
| Suburb | Nightcliff 0810 | Rapid Creek 0810 |
| Council area | Darwin | Darwin |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | www.nightcliffprimary.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 62.2).
- •St Paul's Catholic Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1077 vs 1063), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Paul's Catholic Primary School has fewer students per teacher (11.9 vs 16.4).
- •Nightcliff Primary School is the larger school with 478 students compared with 221.
- •St Paul's Catholic Primary School has grown faster over five years (22% vs -17%).
- •Nightcliff Primary 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 Primary School better than St Paul's Catholic Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Paul's Catholic Primary School ranks higher (76.8 vs 62.2 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 Nightcliff Primary 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 Primary School has 16.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Paul's Catholic Primary School has 11.9.
How do Nightcliff Primary School and St Paul's Catholic Primary School rank in NT?
Nightcliff Primary School is 5th of 52 and St Paul's Catholic Primary School is 1st of 52 among primary schools in Northern Territory on the 2025 Success Index.