Good Shepherd Catholic College vs Happy Valley State School
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.
Good Shepherd Catholic College
Mount Isa · Catholic high school · 7-12
434 students · ICSEA 978
Happy Valley State School
Happy Valley · Government primary · Prep-6
387 students · ICSEA 927
| Measure | Good Shepherd Catholic College Mount Isa QLD | Happy Valley State School Happy Valley QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 46 Lower 50% | 23 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #128 of 269 | #710 of 804 |
| National rank (type) | #815 of 1,472 | #4609 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 434 | 387 |
| Girls / boys | 215 / 219 | 178 / 209 |
| Foundation intake | – | 67 |
| Year 7 cohort | 84 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 56 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -6% | -1% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 978 | 927 |
| ICSEA percentile | 37th | 17th |
| Top SEA quarter | 13% | 5% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 27% | 43% |
| Students per teacher | 11.0 | 14.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 39.4 | 26.5 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 15.7 | 11.8 |
| Language background other than English | 17% | 17% |
| Indigenous students | 20% | 22% |
| Suburb | Mount Isa 4825 | Happy Valley 4825 |
| Council area | Mount Isa | Mount Isa |
| Remoteness | Remote | Remote |
| Website | www.goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au/ | happyvalleyss.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Good Shepherd Catholic College scores higher on the Success Index (46.3 vs 23.2).
- •Good Shepherd Catholic College has the higher ICSEA (978 vs 927), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Good Shepherd Catholic College has fewer students per teacher (11.0 vs 14.6).
- •Good Shepherd Catholic College is the larger school with 434 students compared with 387.
- •Happy Valley State School has grown faster over five years (-1% vs -6%).
- •Good Shepherd Catholic College is a catholic school while Happy Valley State School is a government 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 Good Shepherd Catholic College better than Happy Valley State School?
On the Success Index, Good Shepherd Catholic College ranks higher (46.3 vs 23.2 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 Good Shepherd Catholic College and Happy Valley State School?
About 2.6 km in a straight line, between Mount Isa and Happy Valley in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Good Shepherd Catholic College has 11.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Happy Valley State School has 14.6.
How do Good Shepherd Catholic College and Happy Valley State School rank in QLD?
Good Shepherd Catholic College is 128th of 269 and Happy Valley State School is 710th of 804 among secondary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.