Minerva School vs The Beach School
A head-to-head comparison of two special schools in New South Wales, 35 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Minerva School
Sutherland · Government special · U
47 students · ICSEA 1039
The Beach School
Allambie Heights · Government special · U
35 students · ICSEA 1039
| Measure | Minerva School Sutherland NSW | The Beach School Allambie Heights NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | – | – |
| National rank (type) | – | – |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Special | Special |
| Year range | U | U |
| Students | 47 | 35 |
| Girls / boys | 10 / 37 | 18 / 17 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +7% | -19% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1039 | 1039 |
| ICSEA percentile | 64th | 64th |
| Top SEA quarter | 20% | 24% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 25% | 21% |
| Students per teacher | 3.7 | 3.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 12.7 | 8.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 12.5 | 9.0 |
| Language background other than English | 32% | 26% |
| Indigenous students | 4% | 6% |
| Suburb | Sutherland 2232 | Allambie Heights 2100 |
| Council area | Sutherland | Northern Beaches |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | minerva-s.schools.nsw.gov.au | beach-s.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Minerva School is the larger school with 47 students compared with 35.
- •Minerva School has grown faster over five years (7% vs -19%).
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 Minerva School better than The Beach 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 Minerva School and The Beach School?
About 35 km in a straight line, between Sutherland and Allambie Heights in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Minerva School has 3.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and The Beach School has 3.9.
How do Minerva School and The Beach School rank in NSW?
Minerva School is unranked and The Beach School is unranked among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.