Mackay District Special School vs Mackay Northern Beaches State High School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 3.2 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Mackay District Special School
Beaconsfield · Government special · Prep-12
82 students · ICSEA 949
Mackay Northern Beaches State High School
Rural View · Government high school · 7-12
1,012 students · ICSEA 950
| Measure | Mackay District Special School Beaconsfield QLD | Mackay Northern Beaches State High School Rural View QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 27 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #220 of 269 |
| National rank (type) | – | #1258 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Special | Secondary |
| Year range | Prep-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 82 | 1,012 |
| Girls / boys | 22 / 60 | 464 / 548 |
| Foundation intake | 7 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 3 | 192 |
| Year 12 cohort | 6 | 137 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +0% | +0% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 949 | 950 |
| ICSEA percentile | 24th | 25th |
| Top SEA quarter | 8% | 3% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 49% | 44% |
| Students per teacher | 4.0 | 12.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 20.4 | 80.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 21.7 | 40.8 |
| Language background other than English | 9% | 10% |
| Indigenous students | 18% | 13% |
| Suburb | Beaconsfield 4740 | Rural View 4740 |
| Council area | Mackay | Mackay |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | mackaydistrictspecs.eq.edu.au | macknorthbeachesshs.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Mackay Northern Beaches State High School has the higher ICSEA (950 vs 949), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Mackay District Special School has fewer students per teacher (4.0 vs 12.5).
- •Mackay Northern Beaches State High School is the larger school with 1,012 students compared with 82.
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 Mackay District Special School better than Mackay Northern Beaches State High 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 Mackay District Special School and Mackay Northern Beaches State High School?
About 3.2 km in a straight line, between Beaconsfield and Rural View in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Mackay District Special School has 4.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Mackay Northern Beaches State High School has 12.5.
How do Mackay District Special School and Mackay Northern Beaches State High School rank in QLD?
Mackay District Special School is unranked and Mackay Northern Beaches State High School is 220th of 269 among special schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.