Arethusa College vs Carinity Education - Southside
A head-to-head comparison of two special schools in Queensland, 45 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Arethusa College
Deception Bay · Independent special · 7-12
1,733 students · ICSEA 938
Carinity Education - Southside
Sunnybank · Independent special · 7-12
121 students · ICSEA 936
| Measure | Arethusa College Deception Bay QLD | Carinity Education - Southside Sunnybank QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | – | – |
| National rank (type) | – | – |
| Sector | Independent | Independent |
| Type | Special | Special |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 1,733 | 121 |
| Girls / boys | 807 / 926 | 121 / 0 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 169 | 9 |
| Year 12 cohort | 179 | 19 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +260% | +4% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 938 | 936 |
| ICSEA percentile | 21th | 20th |
| Top SEA quarter | 6% | 8% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 52% | 45% |
| Students per teacher | 11.4 | 9.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 152.1 | 12.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 257.6 | 14.9 |
| Language background other than English | 5% | 13% |
| Indigenous students | 21% | 30% |
| Suburb | Deception Bay 4508 | Sunnybank 4109 |
| Council area | Moreton Bay | Brisbane |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | arethusa.qld.edu.au/ | www.southside.qld.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Arethusa College has the higher ICSEA (938 vs 936), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Carinity Education - Southside has fewer students per teacher (9.8 vs 11.4).
- •Arethusa College is the larger school with 1,733 students compared with 121.
- •Arethusa College has grown faster over five years (260% vs 4%).
The Success Index summarises community advantage, resourcing and momentum from ACARA data. It does not measure teaching quality, results or fit. Methodology.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Your nearest centre: Success Tutoring North Lakes
Frequently asked questions
Is Arethusa College better than Carinity Education - Southside?
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 Arethusa College and Carinity Education - Southside?
About 45 km in a straight line, between Deception Bay and Sunnybank in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Arethusa College has 11.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Carinity Education - Southside has 9.8.
How do Arethusa College and Carinity Education - Southside rank in QLD?
Arethusa College is unranked and Carinity Education - Southside is unranked among special schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.