Ipswich West Special School vs St Mary's College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 1.1 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Ipswich West Special School
West Ipswich · Government special · Prep-12
135 students · ICSEA 950
St Mary's College
Ipswich · Catholic high school · 7-12
730 students · ICSEA 1033
| Measure | Ipswich West Special School West Ipswich QLD | St Mary's College Ipswich QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 57 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #80 of 269 |
| National rank (type) | – | #582 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Special | Secondary |
| Year range | Prep-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 135 | 730 |
| Girls / boys | 34 / 101 | 730 / 0 |
| Foundation intake | 12 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 11 | 157 |
| Year 12 cohort | 10 | 101 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +35% | +13% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 950 | 1033 |
| ICSEA percentile | 25th | 61th |
| Top SEA quarter | 7% | 14% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 49% | 16% |
| Students per teacher | 4.2 | 12.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 32.2 | 56.5 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 28.4 | 28.1 |
| Language background other than English | 15% | 7% |
| Indigenous students | 19% | 5% |
| Suburb | West Ipswich 4305 | Ipswich 4305 |
| Council area | Ipswich | Ipswich |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | ipswwestspecs.eq.edu.au | www.stmarys.qld.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Mary's College has the higher ICSEA (1033 vs 950), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Ipswich West Special School has fewer students per teacher (4.2 vs 12.9).
- •St Mary's College is the larger school with 730 students compared with 135.
- •Ipswich West Special School has grown faster over five years (35% vs 13%).
- •Ipswich West Special School is a government school while St Mary's College is a catholic 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 Mount Gravatt East
Frequently asked questions
Is Ipswich West Special School better than St Mary's 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 Ipswich West Special School and St Mary's College?
About 1.1 km in a straight line, between West Ipswich and Ipswich in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Ipswich West Special School has 4.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's College has 12.9.
How do Ipswich West Special School and St Mary's College rank in QLD?
Ipswich West Special School is unranked and St Mary's College is 80th of 269 among special schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.