Independent Schools in the Northern Territory

Independent  Schools play a crucial role in the educational framework of Australia, coexisting with Government and Catholic Schools to actively contribute to the well-being, safety and learning of Australian children.


Independent Schools in the Northern Territory offer diverse educational alternatives, providing parents and students with choice of a range of teaching philosophies, curricula, and extracurricular activities. This diversity contributes to a more dynamic and adaptable educational system.


Independent Schools  in the Northern Territory provide parents with the option to choose a school that aligns with their values, teaching philosophies, priorities and individual needs of their children. This emphasis on choice promotes a personalized approach to schooling.


There are 25 Independent Schools in the Northern Territory.   


AISNT has an international Member School located in Dili Timor Leste.

All Independent Schools in the Northern Territory are co-educational.

There are two Independent School systems - Christian and Lutheran.

There are 10 Independent Majority Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Schools located across the Northern Territory.

There are 6 Independent Boarding Schools.

Independent Schools

  • Individual Independent Schools

    Individual Independent Schools in the Northern Territory are:


    • Australian International Islamic College, Darwin Campus

    • Dhupuma Barker, Gunyangara, East Arnhem Land

    • The Essington School Darwin, Nightcliff

    • Haileybury Rendall School, Berrimah

    • Mäpuru Yirralka College, Mäpuru Homeland, North East Arnhem

    • Narwarrdeken Academy Kabulwarnamyo School, West Arnhem Land

    • Narwarrdeken Academy Mamadewere School, West Arnhem Land

    • Narwarrdeken Academy Manmoyi School, West Arnhem Land

    • Nyangatjatjara College, Yulara

    • Tiwi College, Pickertaramoor, Melville Island

    • St Philip's College, Alice Springs

    • Yipirinya School, Alice Springs 

    • SEDA College NT, Fannie Bay


  • Steiner Schools

    Steiner education balances academic, artistic, practical & social aspects by educating the whole child. It prepares our children for an unpredictable future through a process of nurturing the child from within. Steiner Education is designed to meet the changing needs of children, aiming to enable each stage of growth to be fully and vividly enjoyed and experienced. The academic, artistic and social practical aspects or ‘head, heart and hands’ are treated as complementary elements of a single learning program allowing each to throw light on the other.

    Steiner Education’s curriculum is responsive to the developmental phases of childhood. It is permeated with the arts, encourages creativity, and cultivates children’s imagination, as well as cognitive growth and a sense of responsibility for nature and its inhabitants. Academic subjects, including writing and reading are taught differently to mainstream educational methods. This requires awareness by parents of processes used within the Steiner system and tolerance for students to be at levels that differ from mainstream peers. 


    Steiner Schools in the Northern Territory:


    • Milkwood Steiner School - Berrimah

    • The Alice Springs Steiner School - Alice Springs

  • Christian Schools (Northern Territory Christian Schools)

    Northern Territory Christian Schools (NTCS) delivers and promotes high quality education based on Christian principles. 


    NTCS is committed to supporting parents in the nurturing of their children and promotion of a strong partnership between parents and staff in each of its school communities.


    The core objectives of NTCS are to provide quality Christian education, training and care to young Territorians.


    Christian Schools in the Northern Territory:


    • Araluen Christian College - Alice Springs

    • Gäwa Christian School - Elcho Island

    • Marrara Christian College - Darwin

    • Sattler Christian College - Bees Creek

    • The Northern Territory Christian College - Darwin

    • Nhulunbuy Christian College - Gove Peninsula

    • Palmerston Christian School - Palmerston 

  • Lutheran Schools (LESNW)

    Lutheran schools are independently operated and the education program they offer can be tailored to serve the needs of their local communities. 


    Lutheran schools gear their resources to ensure they remain faithful to their mission and are accessible to the community.


    Lutheran schools are strongly linked by a common ethos, aiming to provide quality education in which the gospel of Jesus Christ informs all learning and teaching, all human relationships and all activities.


    Lutheran Schools in the Northern Territory include:


    • Good Shepherd Lutheran College - Palmerston/Howard Springs/Leanyer

    • Living Waters Lutheran School - Alice Springs

    • Yirara College of the Finke River Mission - Alice Springs 


  • Aboriginal Schools

    There are ten Aboriginal Independent Community Schools in the Northern Territory. These school are located in remote and very remote communities throughout the Northern Territory. Each schools is autonomous and has a governing body, comprising of members of the community in which the school is located, that is responsible for staffing, curriculum, school buildings, staff housing and financial accountability. These schools comply with the regulatory obligations under the Northern Territory Education Act and the Australian Education Act, however, they are independent of government and belong to the community they serve. This enables the school to be responsive to local community requirements, circumstances and aspirations. 

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