Cairns State Special School vs Mount Isa Special School
A head-to-head comparison of two special schools in Queensland, 777 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Cairns State Special School
Woree · Government special · Prep-12
130 students · ICSEA 913
Mount Isa Special School
Pioneer · Government special · Prep-12
35 students · ICSEA 877
| Measure | Cairns State Special School Woree QLD | Mount Isa Special School Pioneer QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | – | – |
| National rank (type) | – | – |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Special | Special |
| Year range | Prep-12 | Prep-12 |
| Students | 130 | 35 |
| Girls / boys | 38 / 92 | 10 / 25 |
| Foundation intake | 9 | 3 |
| Year 7 cohort | 10 | 9 |
| Year 12 cohort | 15 | 1 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +67% | +0% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 913 | 877 |
| ICSEA percentile | 14th | 7th |
| Top SEA quarter | 8% | 9% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 43% | 48% |
| Students per teacher | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 32.8 | 8.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 42.5 | 8.6 |
| Language background other than English | 24% | 28% |
| Indigenous students | 42% | 54% |
| Suburb | Woree 4868 | Pioneer 4825 |
| Council area | Cairns | Mount Isa |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Remote |
| Website | cairnsstatespecs.eq.edu.au | mtisaspecs.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Cairns State Special School has the higher ICSEA (913 vs 877), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Cairns State Special School is the larger school with 130 students compared with 35.
- •Cairns State Special School has grown faster over five years (67% vs 0%).
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 Cairns State Special School better than Mount Isa 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 Cairns State Special School and Mount Isa Special School?
About 777 km in a straight line, between Woree and Pioneer in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Cairns State Special School has 4.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Mount Isa Special School has 4.0.
How do Cairns State Special School and Mount Isa Special School rank in QLD?
Cairns State Special School is unranked and Mount Isa Special School is unranked among special schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.