Nightcliff Primary School vs The Essington School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Northern Territory, 669 m 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
The Essington School
Rapid Creek · Independent combined · T-12
782 students · ICSEA 1128
| Measure | Nightcliff Primary School Nightcliff NT | The Essington School Rapid Creek NT |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 62 Top 50% | 71 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #5 of 52 | #2 of 40 |
| National rank (type) | #1729 of 4,908 | #242 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Primary | Combined |
| Year range | T-6 | T-12 |
| Students | 478 | 782 |
| Girls / boys | 246 / 232 | 376 / 406 |
| Foundation intake | 70 | 52 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 90 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 51 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -17% | -11% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1063 | 1128 |
| ICSEA percentile | 73th | 91th |
| Top SEA quarter | 36% | 54% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 13% | 3% |
| Students per teacher | 16.4 | 12.2 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 29.0 | 64.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 10.8 | 44.9 |
| Language background other than English | 49% | 40% |
| Indigenous students | 10% | 1% |
| Suburb | Nightcliff 0810 | Rapid Creek 0810 |
| Council area | Darwin | Darwin |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | www.nightcliffprimary.nt.edu.au/ | www.essington.nt.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •The Essington School scores higher on the Success Index (71.1 vs 62.2).
- •The Essington School has the higher ICSEA (1128 vs 1063), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •The Essington School has fewer students per teacher (12.2 vs 16.4).
- •The Essington School is the larger school with 782 students compared with 478.
- •The Essington School has grown faster over five years (-11% vs -17%).
- •Nightcliff Primary 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 Primary School better than The Essington School?
On the Success Index, The Essington School ranks higher (71.1 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 The Essington School?
About 669 m 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 The Essington School has 12.2.
How do Nightcliff Primary School and The Essington School rank in NT?
Nightcliff Primary School is 5th of 52 and The Essington School is 2nd of 40 among primary schools in Northern Territory on the 2025 Success Index.