Parap Primary School vs St John's Catholic College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Northern Territory, 1.4 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Parap Primary School
Parap · Government primary · T-6
405 students · ICSEA 1066
St John's Catholic College
The Gardens · Catholic high school · 7-12
287 students · ICSEA 957
| Measure | Parap Primary School Parap NT | St John's Catholic College The Gardens NT |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 63 Top 50% | 54 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #4 of 52 | #6 of 23 |
| National rank (type) | #1645 of 4,908 | #649 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
| Year range | T-6 | 7-12 |
| Students | 405 | 287 |
| Girls / boys | 206 / 199 | 132 / 155 |
| Foundation intake | 51 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 57 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 33 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -8% | +50% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1066 | 957 |
| ICSEA percentile | 74th | 28th |
| Top SEA quarter | 33% | 18% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 9% | 32% |
| Students per teacher | 15.4 | 10.7 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 26.2 | 26.7 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 12.8 | 23.1 |
| Language background other than English | 34% | 59% |
| Indigenous students | 6% | 27% |
| Suburb | Parap 0820 | The Gardens 0820 |
| Council area | Darwin | Darwin |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | www.parapprimary.com.au | www.stjohnsnt.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Parap Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (63.0 vs 54.3).
- •Parap Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1066 vs 957), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St John's Catholic College has fewer students per teacher (10.7 vs 15.4).
- •Parap Primary School is the larger school with 405 students compared with 287.
- •St John's Catholic College has grown faster over five years (50% vs -8%).
- •Parap Primary School is a government school while St John's 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 Parap Primary School better than St John's Catholic College?
On the Success Index, Parap Primary School ranks higher (63.0 vs 54.3 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 Parap Primary School and St John's Catholic College?
About 1.4 km in a straight line, between Parap and The Gardens in Northern Territory.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Parap Primary School has 15.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St John's Catholic College has 10.7.
How do Parap Primary School and St John's Catholic College rank in NT?
Parap Primary School is 4th of 52 and St John's Catholic College is 6th of 23 among primary schools in Northern Territory on the 2025 Success Index.