Good Shepherd Catholic College vs Mount Isa Special School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 1.9 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Good Shepherd Catholic College
Mount Isa · Catholic high school · 7-12
434 students · ICSEA 978
Mount Isa Special School
Pioneer · Government special · Prep-12
35 students · ICSEA 877
| Measure | Good Shepherd Catholic College Mount Isa QLD | Mount Isa Special School Pioneer QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 46 Lower 50% | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | #128 of 269 | – |
| National rank (type) | #815 of 1,472 | – |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Special |
| Year range | 7-12 | Prep-12 |
| Students | 434 | 35 |
| Girls / boys | 215 / 219 | 10 / 25 |
| Foundation intake | – | 3 |
| Year 7 cohort | 84 | 9 |
| Year 12 cohort | 56 | 1 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -6% | +0% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 978 | 877 |
| ICSEA percentile | 37th | 7th |
| Top SEA quarter | 13% | 9% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 27% | 48% |
| Students per teacher | 11.0 | 4.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 39.4 | 8.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 15.7 | 8.6 |
| Language background other than English | 17% | 28% |
| Indigenous students | 20% | 54% |
| Suburb | Mount Isa 4825 | Pioneer 4825 |
| Council area | Mount Isa | Mount Isa |
| Remoteness | Remote | Remote |
| Website | www.goodshepherd.catholic.edu.au/ | mtisaspecs.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Good Shepherd Catholic College has the higher ICSEA (978 vs 877), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Mount Isa Special School has fewer students per teacher (4.0 vs 11.0).
- •Good Shepherd Catholic College is the larger school with 434 students compared with 35.
- •Mount Isa Special School has grown faster over five years (0% vs -6%).
- •Good Shepherd Catholic College is a catholic school while Mount Isa 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.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Your nearest centre: Success Tutoring North Lakes
Frequently asked questions
Is Good Shepherd Catholic College better than Mount Isa 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 Shepherd Catholic College and Mount Isa Special School?
About 1.9 km in a straight line, between Mount Isa and Pioneer in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Good Shepherd Catholic College has 11.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Mount Isa Special School has 4.0.
How do Good Shepherd Catholic College and Mount Isa Special School rank in QLD?
Good Shepherd Catholic College is 128th of 269 and Mount Isa Special School is unranked among secondary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.