Barkly Highway State School vs Mount Isa School of the Air
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 2.6 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
Mount Isa School of the Air
Pioneer · Government combined · Prep-10
175 students · ICSEA 1009
| Measure | Barkly Highway State School Soldiers Hill QLD | Mount Isa School of the Air Pioneer QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 26 Lower 50% | 53 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #672 of 804 | #112 of 275 |
| National rank (type) | #4429 of 4,908 | #582 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Primary | Combined |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-10 |
| Students | 266 | 175 |
| Girls / boys | 129 / 137 | 83 / 92 |
| Foundation intake | 47 | 13 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 6 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -33% | +21% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 935 | 1009 |
| ICSEA percentile | 19th | 51th |
| Top SEA quarter | 5% | 16% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 42% | 26% |
| Students per teacher | 12.6 | 7.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 21.1 | 24.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 11.5 | 6.4 |
| Language background other than English | 14% | 6% |
| Indigenous students | 22% | 12% |
| Suburb | Soldiers Hill 4825 | Pioneer 4825 |
| Council area | Mount Isa | Mount Isa |
| Remoteness | Remote | Remote |
| Website | barklyhighwayss.eq.edu.au | mtisasde.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Mount Isa School of the Air scores higher on the Success Index (53.3 vs 26.0).
- •Mount Isa School of the Air has the higher ICSEA (1009 vs 935), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Mount Isa School of the Air has fewer students per teacher (7.1 vs 12.6).
- •Barkly Highway State School is the larger school with 266 students compared with 175.
- •Mount Isa School of the Air has grown faster over five years (21% vs -33%).
The Success Index summarises community advantage, resourcing and momentum from ACARA data. It does not measure teaching quality, results or fit. Methodology.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Your nearest centre: Success Tutoring North Lakes
Frequently asked questions
Is Barkly Highway State School better than Mount Isa School of the Air?
On the Success Index, Mount Isa School of the Air ranks higher (53.3 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 Mount Isa School of the Air?
About 2.6 km in a straight line, between Soldiers Hill and Pioneer in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Barkly Highway State School has 12.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Mount Isa School of the Air has 7.1.
How do Barkly Highway State School and Mount Isa School of the Air rank in QLD?
Barkly Highway State School is 672nd of 804 and Mount Isa School of the Air is 112th of 275 among primary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.