Barkly Highway State School vs Good Shepherd Catholic College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 1.7 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Barkly Highway State School
Soldiers Hill · Government primary · Prep-6
266 students · ICSEA 935
Good Shepherd Catholic College
Mount Isa · Catholic high school · 7-12
434 students · ICSEA 978
| Measure | Barkly Highway State School Soldiers Hill QLD | Good Shepherd Catholic College Mount Isa QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 26 Lower 50% | 46 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #672 of 804 | #128 of 269 |
| National rank (type) | #4429 of 4,908 | #815 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | 7-12 |
| Students | 266 | 434 |
| Girls / boys | 129 / 137 | 215 / 219 |
| Foundation intake | 47 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 84 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 56 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -33% | -6% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 935 | 978 |
| ICSEA percentile | 19th | 37th |
| Top SEA quarter | 5% | 13% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 42% | 27% |
| Students per teacher | 12.6 | 11.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 21.1 | 39.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 11.5 | 15.7 |
| Language background other than English | 14% | 17% |
| Indigenous students | 22% | 20% |
| Suburb | Soldiers Hill 4825 | Mount Isa 4825 |
| Council area | Mount Isa | Mount Isa |
| Remoteness | Remote | Remote |
| Website | barklyhighwayss.eq.edu.au | www.goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Good Shepherd Catholic College scores higher on the Success Index (46.3 vs 26.0).
- •Good Shepherd Catholic College has the higher ICSEA (978 vs 935), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Good Shepherd Catholic College has fewer students per teacher (11.0 vs 12.6).
- •Good Shepherd Catholic College is the larger school with 434 students compared with 266.
- •Good Shepherd Catholic College has grown faster over five years (-6% vs -33%).
- •Barkly Highway State School is a government school while Good Shepherd 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 Barkly Highway State School better than Good Shepherd Catholic College?
On the Success Index, Good Shepherd Catholic College ranks higher (46.3 vs 26.0 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 Barkly Highway State School and Good Shepherd Catholic College?
About 1.7 km in a straight line, between Soldiers Hill and Mount Isa in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Barkly Highway State School has 12.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Good Shepherd Catholic College has 11.0.
How do Barkly Highway State School and Good Shepherd Catholic College rank in QLD?
Barkly Highway State School is 672nd of 804 and Good Shepherd Catholic College is 128th of 269 among primary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.