Currumbin Community Special School vs Redland District Special School
A head-to-head comparison of two special schools in Queensland, 70 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Currumbin Community Special School
Currumbin Waters · Government special · Prep-12
95 students · ICSEA 1003
Redland District Special School
Thornlands · Government special · Prep-12
236 students · ICSEA 1004
| Measure | Currumbin Community Special School Currumbin Waters QLD | Redland District Special School Thornlands 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 | 95 | 236 |
| Girls / boys | 24 / 71 | 74 / 162 |
| Foundation intake | 6 | 17 |
| Year 7 cohort | 11 | 13 |
| Year 12 cohort | 8 | 21 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -4% | +40% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1003 | 1004 |
| ICSEA percentile | 48th | 49th |
| Top SEA quarter | 13% | 17% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 31% | 30% |
| Students per teacher | 3.5 | 4.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 27.1 | 58.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 25.2 | 50.8 |
| Language background other than English | 13% | 5% |
| Indigenous students | 9% | 14% |
| Suburb | Currumbin Waters 4223 | Thornlands 4164 |
| Council area | Gold Coast | Redland |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | currumbinspecs.eq.edu.au | redlanddistrictspecs.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Redland District Special School has the higher ICSEA (1004 vs 1003), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Currumbin Community Special School has fewer students per teacher (3.5 vs 4.1).
- •Redland District Special School is the larger school with 236 students compared with 95.
- •Redland District Special School has grown faster over five years (40% vs -4%).
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 Currumbin Community Special School 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 Currumbin Community Special School and Redland District Special School?
About 70 km in a straight line, between Currumbin Waters and Thornlands in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Currumbin Community Special School has 3.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Redland District Special School has 4.1.
How do Currumbin Community Special School and Redland District Special School rank in QLD?
Currumbin Community Special School is unranked and Redland District Special School is unranked among special schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.