Brisbane School of Distance Education vs Narbethong State Special School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 1.4 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Brisbane School of Distance Education
Coorparoo · Government combined · Prep-12
3,100 students · ICSEA 1038
Narbethong State Special School
Woolloongabba · Government special · Prep-12
53 students · ICSEA 1018
| Measure | Brisbane School of Distance Education Coorparoo QLD | Narbethong State Special School Woolloongabba QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 52 Top 50% | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | #123 of 275 | – |
| National rank (type) | #616 of 1,259 | – |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Combined | Special |
| Year range | Prep-12 | Prep-12 |
| Students | 3,100 | 53 |
| Girls / boys | 1,883 / 1,217 | 15 / 38 |
| Foundation intake | 10 | 4 |
| Year 7 cohort | 128 | 3 |
| Year 12 cohort | 776 | 8 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -13% | +15% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1038 | 1018 |
| ICSEA percentile | 63th | 55th |
| Top SEA quarter | 22% | 23% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 22% | 29% |
| Students per teacher | 9.7 | 1.7 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 221.6 | 30.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 65.9 | 37.5 |
| Language background other than English | 17% | 17% |
| Indigenous students | 6% | 9% |
| Suburb | Coorparoo 4151 | Woolloongabba 4102 |
| Council area | Brisbane | Brisbane |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | brisbanesde.eq.edu.au | narbethongspecs.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Brisbane School of Distance Education has the higher ICSEA (1038 vs 1018), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Narbethong State Special School has fewer students per teacher (1.7 vs 9.7).
- •Brisbane School of Distance Education is the larger school with 3,100 students compared with 53.
- •Narbethong State Special School has grown faster over five years (15% vs -13%).
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 Brisbane School of Distance Education better than Narbethong State 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 Brisbane School of Distance Education and Narbethong State Special School?
About 1.4 km in a straight line, between Coorparoo and Woolloongabba in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Brisbane School of Distance Education has 9.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Narbethong State Special School has 1.7.
How do Brisbane School of Distance Education and Narbethong State Special School rank in QLD?
Brisbane School of Distance Education is 123rd of 275 and Narbethong State Special School is unranked among combined schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.