Cairns State Special School vs Woree State High School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 266 m 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
Woree State High School
Woree · Government high school · 7-12
750 students · ICSEA 854
| Measure | Cairns State Special School Woree QLD | Woree State High School Woree QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 14 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #267 of 269 |
| National rank (type) | – | #1465 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Special | Secondary |
| Year range | Prep-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 130 | 750 |
| Girls / boys | 38 / 92 | 370 / 380 |
| Foundation intake | 9 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 10 | 118 |
| Year 12 cohort | 15 | 120 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +67% | -24% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 913 | 854 |
| ICSEA percentile | 14th | 5th |
| Top SEA quarter | 8% | 2% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 43% | 62% |
| Students per teacher | 4.0 | 11.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 32.8 | 68.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 42.5 | 45.9 |
| Language background other than English | 24% | 40% |
| Indigenous students | 42% | 48% |
| Suburb | Woree 4868 | Woree 4868 |
| Council area | Cairns | Cairns |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | cairnsstatespecs.eq.edu.au | woreeshs.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Cairns State Special School has the higher ICSEA (913 vs 854), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Cairns State Special School has fewer students per teacher (4.0 vs 11.0).
- •Woree State High School is the larger school with 750 students compared with 130.
- •Cairns State Special School has grown faster over five years (67% vs -24%).
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 Woree State High 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 Woree State High School?
About 266 m in a straight line, between Woree and Woree in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Cairns State Special School has 4.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Woree State High School has 11.0.
How do Cairns State Special School and Woree State High School rank in QLD?
Cairns State Special School is unranked and Woree State High School is 267th of 269 among special schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.