Highlands School vs Tangara School
A head-to-head comparison of two special schools in New South Wales, 712 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Highlands School
Mittagong · Government special · U
37 students · ICSEA 860
Tangara School
Mittagong · Government special · U
48 students · ICSEA 971
| Measure | Highlands School Mittagong NSW | Tangara School Mittagong NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | – | – |
| National rank (type) | – | – |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Special | Special |
| Year range | U | U |
| Students | 37 | 48 |
| Girls / boys | 14 / 23 | 10 / 38 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +12% | +92% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 860 | 971 |
| ICSEA percentile | 6th | 34th |
| Top SEA quarter | 5% | 16% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 74% | 40% |
| Students per teacher | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 8.9 | 11.5 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 9.0 | 11.5 |
| Language background other than English | 8% | 10% |
| Indigenous students | 27% | 19% |
| Suburb | Mittagong 2575 | Mittagong 2575 |
| Council area | Wingecarribee | Wingecarribee |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | highlands-s.schools.nsw.gov.au | tangara-s.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Tangara School has the higher ICSEA (971 vs 860), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Tangara School is the larger school with 48 students compared with 37.
- •Tangara School has grown faster over five years (92% vs 12%).
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 Highlands School better than Tangara School?
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 Highlands School and Tangara School?
About 712 m in a straight line, between Mittagong and Mittagong in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Highlands School has 4.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Tangara School has 4.2.
How do Highlands School and Tangara School rank in NSW?
Highlands School is unranked and Tangara School is unranked among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.