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Barkly Highway State School vs Sunset State School

A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Queensland, 2.2 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.

MeasureBarkly Highway State School
Soldiers Hill QLD
Sunset State School
Sunset QLD
Success Index
26
Lower 50%
13
Lower 50%
State rank (type)#672 of 804#804 of 804
National rank (type)#4429 of 4,908#4905 of 4,908
SectorGovernmentGovernment
TypePrimaryPrimary
Year rangePrep-6Prep-6
Students266257
Girls / boys129 / 137136 / 121
Foundation intake4734
Year 7 cohort––
Year 12 cohort––
VCE median study score
VCAA, latest year
––
VCE study scores 40+––
5-year enrolment growth-33%-5%
ICSEA
Average 1000
935727
ICSEA percentile19th2th
Top SEA quarter5%1%
Bottom SEA quarter42%81%
Students per teacher12.614.1
Teaching staff (FTE)21.118.2
Non-teaching staff (FTE)11.512.2
Language background other than English14%12%
Indigenous students22%81%
SuburbSoldiers Hill 4825Sunset 4825
Council areaMount IsaMount Isa
RemotenessRemoteRemote
Websitebarklyhighwayss.eq.edu.ausunsetss.eq.edu.au

The verdict

  • •Barkly Highway State School scores higher on the Success Index (26.0 vs 13.2).
  • •Barkly Highway State School has the higher ICSEA (935 vs 727), indicating a more advantaged community.
  • •Barkly Highway State School has fewer students per teacher (12.6 vs 14.1).
  • •Barkly Highway State School is the larger school with 266 students compared with 257.
  • •Sunset State School has grown faster over five years (-5% vs -33%).

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 Sunset State School?

On the Success Index, Barkly Highway State School ranks higher (26.0 vs 13.2 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 Barkly Highway State School and Sunset State School?

About 2.2 km in a straight line, between Soldiers Hill and Sunset in Queensland.

Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?

Barkly Highway State School has 12.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Sunset State School has 14.1.

How do Barkly Highway State School and Sunset State School rank in QLD?

Barkly Highway State School is 672nd of 804 and Sunset State School is 804th of 804 among primary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.