Aquinas College vs Southport Special School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 1.9 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Aquinas College
Ashmore · Catholic high school · 7-12
805 students · ICSEA 1058
Southport Special School
Southport · Government special · Prep-12
212 students · ICSEA 1027
| Measure | Aquinas College Ashmore QLD | Southport Special School Southport QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 60 Top 50% | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | #62 of 269 | – |
| National rank (type) | #509 of 1,472 | – |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Special |
| Year range | 7-12 | Prep-12 |
| Students | 805 | 212 |
| Girls / boys | 407 / 398 | 59 / 153 |
| Foundation intake | – | 24 |
| Year 7 cohort | 143 | 23 |
| Year 12 cohort | 116 | 10 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -12% | -27% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1058 | 1027 |
| ICSEA percentile | 71th | 59th |
| Top SEA quarter | 20% | 19% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 11% | 26% |
| Students per teacher | 12.8 | 3.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 62.8 | 54.7 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 35.1 | 53.0 |
| Language background other than English | 9% | 30% |
| Indigenous students | 2% | 6% |
| Suburb | Ashmore 4214 | Southport 4215 |
| Council area | Gold Coast | Gold Coast |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.aquinas.qld.edu.au | southportspecs.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Aquinas College has the higher ICSEA (1058 vs 1027), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Southport Special School has fewer students per teacher (3.9 vs 12.8).
- •Aquinas College is the larger school with 805 students compared with 212.
- •Aquinas College has grown faster over five years (-12% vs -27%).
- •Aquinas College is a catholic school while Southport Special School is a government school, so fees and enrolment rules differ.
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 Aquinas College better than Southport Special 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 Aquinas College and Southport Special School?
About 1.9 km in a straight line, between Ashmore and Southport in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Aquinas College has 12.8 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Southport Special School has 3.9.
How do Aquinas College and Southport Special School rank in QLD?
Aquinas College is 62nd of 269 and Southport Special School is unranked among secondary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.