Happy Valley State School vs Spinifex State College - Mount Isa Education and Training Precinct
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 1.2 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Happy Valley State School
Happy Valley · Government primary · Prep-6
387 students · ICSEA 927
Spinifex State College - Mount Isa Education and Training Precinct
Parkside · Government high school · 7-12
926 students · ICSEA 866
| Measure | Happy Valley State School Happy Valley QLD | Spinifex State College - Mount Isa Education and Training Precinct Parkside QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 23 Lower 50% | 18 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #710 of 804 | #258 of 269 |
| National rank (type) | #4609 of 4,908 | #1438 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | 7-12 |
| Students | 387 | 926 |
| Girls / boys | 178 / 209 | 488 / 438 |
| Foundation intake | 67 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 195 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 142 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -1% | -5% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 927 | 866 |
| ICSEA percentile | 17th | 6th |
| Top SEA quarter | 5% | 3% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 43% | 56% |
| Students per teacher | 14.6 | 11.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 26.5 | 83.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 11.8 | 75.0 |
| Language background other than English | 17% | 21% |
| Indigenous students | 22% | 42% |
| Suburb | Happy Valley 4825 | Parkside 4825 |
| Council area | Mount Isa | Mount Isa |
| Remoteness | Remote | Remote |
| Website | happyvalleyss.eq.edu.au | spinifexsc.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Happy Valley State School scores higher on the Success Index (23.2 vs 17.5).
- •Happy Valley State School has the higher ICSEA (927 vs 866), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Spinifex State College - Mount Isa Education and Training Precinct has fewer students per teacher (11.1 vs 14.6).
- •Spinifex State College - Mount Isa Education and Training Precinct is the larger school with 926 students compared with 387.
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 Happy Valley State School better than Spinifex State College - Mount Isa Education and Training Precinct?
On the Success Index, Happy Valley State School ranks higher (23.2 vs 17.5 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 Happy Valley State School and Spinifex State College - Mount Isa Education and Training Precinct?
About 1.2 km in a straight line, between Happy Valley and Parkside in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Happy Valley State School has 14.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Spinifex State College - Mount Isa Education and Training Precinct has 11.1.
How do Happy Valley State School and Spinifex State College - Mount Isa Education and Training Precinct rank in QLD?
Happy Valley State School is 710th of 804 and Spinifex State College - Mount Isa Education and Training Precinct is 258th of 269 among primary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.