Josiah College vs William Duncan State School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 3.6 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Josiah College
Carrara · Independent special · U
102 students · ICSEA 1084
William Duncan State School
Highland Park · Government primary · Prep-6
580 students · ICSEA 975
| Measure | Josiah College Carrara QLD | William Duncan State School Highland Park QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 41 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #453 of 804 |
| National rank (type) | – | #3333 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Independent | Government |
| Type | Special | Primary |
| Year range | U | Prep-6 |
| Students | 102 | 580 |
| Girls / boys | 26 / 76 | 276 / 304 |
| Foundation intake | – | 73 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +200% | -2% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1084 | 975 |
| ICSEA percentile | 80th | 35th |
| Top SEA quarter | 29% | 6% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 8% | 39% |
| Students per teacher | 7.7 | 13.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 13.2 | 44.3 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 14.6 | 17.6 |
| Language background other than English | 7% | 13% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 11% |
| Suburb | Carrara 4211 | Highland Park 4211 |
| Council area | Gold Coast | Gold Coast |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.josiah.qld.edu.au/ | williamduncanss.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Josiah College has the higher ICSEA (1084 vs 975), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Josiah College has fewer students per teacher (7.7 vs 13.1).
- •William Duncan State School is the larger school with 580 students compared with 102.
- •Josiah College has grown faster over five years (200% vs -2%).
- •Josiah College is a independent school while William Duncan State 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 Josiah College better than William Duncan State 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 Josiah College and William Duncan State School?
About 3.6 km in a straight line, between Carrara and Highland Park in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Josiah College has 7.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and William Duncan State School has 13.1.
How do Josiah College and William Duncan State School rank in QLD?
Josiah College is unranked and William Duncan State School is 453rd of 804 among special schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.