Biala Special School vs Emmanuel Anglican College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 3.1 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Biala Special School
Ballina · Independent special · U
33 students · ICSEA 898
Emmanuel Anglican College
Ballina · Independent combined · K-12
878 students · ICSEA 1113
| Measure | Biala Special School Ballina NSW | Emmanuel Anglican College Ballina NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 66 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | – | #107 of 314 |
| National rank (type) | – | #342 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Independent | Independent |
| Type | Special | Combined |
| Year range | U | K-12 |
| Students | 33 | 878 |
| Girls / boys | 11 / 22 | 435 / 443 |
| Foundation intake | – | 47 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 100 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 55 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +14% | +23% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 898 | 1113 |
| ICSEA percentile | 10th | 87th |
| Top SEA quarter | 10% | 45% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 54% | 5% |
| Students per teacher | 4.9 | 12.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 6.7 | 67.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 10.3 | 42.3 |
| Language background other than English | 9% | 10% |
| Indigenous students | 36% | 2% |
| Suburb | Ballina 2478 | Ballina 2478 |
| Council area | Ballina | Ballina |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.biala.org.au | www.eac.nsw.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Emmanuel Anglican College has the higher ICSEA (1113 vs 898), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Biala Special School has fewer students per teacher (4.9 vs 12.9).
- •Emmanuel Anglican College is the larger school with 878 students compared with 33.
- •Emmanuel Anglican College has grown faster over five years (23% vs 14%).
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 Biala Special School better than Emmanuel Anglican College?
The two schools are very close on the Success Index. Differences in sector, size, year range and distance from home will matter more than the score.
How far apart are Biala Special School and Emmanuel Anglican College?
About 3.1 km in a straight line, between Ballina and Ballina in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Biala Special School has 4.9 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Emmanuel Anglican College has 12.9.
How do Biala Special School and Emmanuel Anglican College rank in NSW?
Biala Special School is unranked and Emmanuel Anglican College is 107th of 314 among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.