Currimundi Special School vs Pacific Lutheran College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 3.7 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Currimundi Special School
Dicky Beach · Government special · Prep-12
177 students · ICSEA 1006
Pacific Lutheran College
Meridan Plains · Independent combined · Prep-12
1,204 students · ICSEA 1114
| Measure | Currimundi Special School Dicky Beach QLD | Pacific Lutheran College Meridan Plains QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 68 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | – | #46 of 275 |
| National rank (type) | – | #305 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Special | Combined |
| Year range | Prep-12 | Prep-12 |
| Students | 177 | 1,204 |
| Girls / boys | 65 / 112 | 599 / 605 |
| Foundation intake | 9 | 67 |
| Year 7 cohort | 14 | 131 |
| Year 12 cohort | 31 | 90 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -17% | +20% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1006 | 1114 |
| ICSEA percentile | 49th | 88th |
| Top SEA quarter | 20% | 46% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 29% | 4% |
| Students per teacher | 3.3 | 13.2 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 53.5 | 91.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 42.7 | 55.4 |
| Language background other than English | 6% | 13% |
| Indigenous students | 8% | 3% |
| Suburb | Dicky Beach 4551 | Meridan Plains 4551 |
| Council area | Sunshine Coast | Sunshine Coast |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | currimundispecs.eq.edu.au | www.pacificlutheran.qld.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Pacific Lutheran College has the higher ICSEA (1114 vs 1006), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Currimundi Special School has fewer students per teacher (3.3 vs 13.2).
- •Pacific Lutheran College is the larger school with 1,204 students compared with 177.
- •Pacific Lutheran College has grown faster over five years (20% vs -17%).
- •Currimundi Special School is a government school while Pacific Lutheran College is an independent 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 Currimundi Special School better than Pacific Lutheran College?
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 Currimundi Special School and Pacific Lutheran College?
About 3.7 km in a straight line, between Dicky Beach and Meridan Plains in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Currimundi Special School has 3.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Pacific Lutheran College has 13.2.
How do Currimundi Special School and Pacific Lutheran College rank in QLD?
Currimundi Special School is unranked and Pacific Lutheran College is 46th of 275 among special schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.