Carmel College vs Redland District Special School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 1.8 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Carmel College
Thornlands · Catholic high school · 7-12
1,220 students · ICSEA 1045
Redland District Special School
Thornlands · Government special · Prep-12
236 students · ICSEA 1004
| Measure | Carmel College Thornlands QLD | Redland District Special School Thornlands QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 56 Top 50% | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | #82 of 269 | – |
| National rank (type) | #607 of 1,472 | – |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Special |
| Year range | 7-12 | Prep-12 |
| Students | 1,220 | 236 |
| Girls / boys | 658 / 562 | 74 / 162 |
| Foundation intake | – | 17 |
| Year 7 cohort | 210 | 13 |
| Year 12 cohort | 172 | 21 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -1% | +40% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1045 | 1004 |
| ICSEA percentile | 67th | 49th |
| Top SEA quarter | 16% | 17% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 13% | 30% |
| Students per teacher | 14.4 | 4.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 85.0 | 58.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 37.1 | 50.8 |
| Language background other than English | 6% | 5% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 14% |
| Suburb | Thornlands 4164 | Thornlands 4164 |
| Council area | Redland | Redland |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.carmelcollege.qld.edu.au | redlanddistrictspecs.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Carmel College has the higher ICSEA (1045 vs 1004), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Redland District Special School has fewer students per teacher (4.1 vs 14.4).
- •Carmel College is the larger school with 1,220 students compared with 236.
- •Redland District Special School has grown faster over five years (40% vs -1%).
- •Carmel College is a catholic school while Redland District 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 Carmel College better than Redland District 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 Carmel College and Redland District Special School?
About 1.8 km in a straight line, between Thornlands and Thornlands in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Carmel College has 14.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Redland District Special School has 4.1.
How do Carmel College and Redland District Special School rank in QLD?
Carmel College is 82nd of 269 and Redland District Special School is unranked among secondary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.