Barkly Highway State School vs St Kieran's Catholic School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Queensland, 2.0 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
St Kieran's Catholic School
Mount Isa · Catholic primary · Prep-6
140 students · ICSEA 858
| Measure | Barkly Highway State School Soldiers Hill QLD | St Kieran's Catholic School Mount Isa QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 26 Lower 50% | 21 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #672 of 804 | #744 of 804 |
| National rank (type) | #4429 of 4,908 | #4747 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 266 | 140 |
| Girls / boys | 129 / 137 | 74 / 66 |
| Foundation intake | 47 | 15 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -33% | -14% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 935 | 858 |
| ICSEA percentile | 19th | 5th |
| Top SEA quarter | 5% | 3% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 42% | 51% |
| Students per teacher | 12.6 | 10.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 21.1 | 13.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 11.5 | 14.6 |
| Language background other than English | 14% | 21% |
| Indigenous students | 22% | 50% |
| Suburb | Soldiers Hill 4825 | Mount Isa 4825 |
| Council area | Mount Isa | Mount Isa |
| Remoteness | Remote | Remote |
| Website | barklyhighwayss.eq.edu.au | www.skmtsv.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Barkly Highway State School scores higher on the Success Index (26.0 vs 20.6).
- •Barkly Highway State School has the higher ICSEA (935 vs 858), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Kieran's Catholic School has fewer students per teacher (10.5 vs 12.6).
- •Barkly Highway State School is the larger school with 266 students compared with 140.
- •St Kieran's Catholic School has grown faster over five years (-14% vs -33%).
- •Barkly Highway State School is a government school while St Kieran's Catholic 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 Barkly Highway State School better than St Kieran's Catholic School?
On the Success Index, Barkly Highway State School ranks higher (26.0 vs 20.6 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 St Kieran's Catholic School?
About 2.0 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 St Kieran's Catholic School has 10.5.
How do Barkly Highway State School and St Kieran's Catholic School rank in QLD?
Barkly Highway State School is 672nd of 804 and St Kieran's Catholic School is 744th of 804 among primary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.