Good Samaritan College vs Toowoomba West Special School
A head-to-head comparison of two special schools in Queensland, 2.1 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Good Samaritan College
Toowoomba · Catholic special · 7-12
79 students · ICSEA 950
Toowoomba West Special School
Newtown · Government special · Prep-6
140 students · ICSEA 953
| Measure | Good Samaritan College Toowoomba QLD | Toowoomba West Special School Newtown QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | – | – |
| National rank (type) | – | – |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Special | Special |
| Year range | 7-12 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 79 | 140 |
| Girls / boys | 43 / 36 | 42 / 98 |
| Foundation intake | – | 15 |
| Year 7 cohort | 11 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 5 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +61% | +35% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 950 | 953 |
| ICSEA percentile | 25th | 26th |
| Top SEA quarter | 8% | 13% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 42% | 42% |
| Students per teacher | 11.3 | 3.7 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 7.0 | 37.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 7.3 | 42.2 |
| Language background other than English | 6% | 11% |
| Indigenous students | 20% | 27% |
| Suburb | Toowoomba 4350 | Newtown 4350 |
| Council area | Toowoomba | Toowoomba |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.gsctwb.catholic.edu.au/ | toowoombawestspecs.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Toowoomba West Special School has the higher ICSEA (953 vs 950), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Toowoomba West Special School has fewer students per teacher (3.7 vs 11.3).
- •Toowoomba West Special School is the larger school with 140 students compared with 79.
- •Good Samaritan College has grown faster over five years (61% vs 35%).
- •Good Samaritan College is a catholic school while Toowoomba West 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 Good Samaritan College better than Toowoomba West 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 Good Samaritan College and Toowoomba West Special School?
About 2.1 km in a straight line, between Toowoomba and Newtown in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Good Samaritan College has 11.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Toowoomba West Special School has 3.7.
How do Good Samaritan College and Toowoomba West Special School rank in QLD?
Good Samaritan College is unranked and Toowoomba West Special School is unranked among special schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.