Carinity Education - Southside vs Sunnybank Special School
A head-to-head comparison of two special schools in Queensland, 955 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Carinity Education - Southside
Sunnybank · Independent special · 7-12
121 students · ICSEA 936
Sunnybank Special School
Sunnybank · Government special · Prep-12
112 students · ICSEA 1028
| Measure | Carinity Education - Southside Sunnybank QLD | Sunnybank Special School Sunnybank QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | – | – |
| National rank (type) | – | – |
| Sector | Independent | Government |
| Type | Special | Special |
| Year range | 7-12 | Prep-12 |
| Students | 121 | 112 |
| Girls / boys | 121 / 0 | 25 / 87 |
| Foundation intake | – | 15 |
| Year 7 cohort | 9 | 8 |
| Year 12 cohort | 19 | 4 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +4% | +90% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 936 | 1028 |
| ICSEA percentile | 20th | 59th |
| Top SEA quarter | 8% | 21% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 45% | 27% |
| Students per teacher | 9.8 | 3.7 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 12.4 | 30.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 14.9 | 35.0 |
| Language background other than English | 13% | 42% |
| Indigenous students | 30% | 4% |
| Suburb | Sunnybank 4109 | Sunnybank 4109 |
| Council area | Brisbane | Brisbane |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.southside.qld.edu.au | sunnybankspecs.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Sunnybank Special School has the higher ICSEA (1028 vs 936), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Sunnybank Special School has fewer students per teacher (3.7 vs 9.8).
- •Carinity Education - Southside is the larger school with 121 students compared with 112.
- •Sunnybank Special School has grown faster over five years (90% vs 4%).
- •Carinity Education - Southside is a independent school while Sunnybank 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 Carinity Education - Southside better than Sunnybank 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 Carinity Education - Southside and Sunnybank Special School?
About 955 m in a straight line, between Sunnybank and Sunnybank in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Carinity Education - Southside has 9.8 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Sunnybank Special School has 3.7.
How do Carinity Education - Southside and Sunnybank Special School rank in QLD?
Carinity Education - Southside is unranked and Sunnybank Special School is unranked among special schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.