Mackay District Special School vs Whitsunday Anglican School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 672 m 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
Whitsunday Anglican School
Beaconsfield · Independent combined · Prep-12
1,151 students · ICSEA 1102
| Measure | Mackay District Special School Beaconsfield QLD | Whitsunday Anglican School Beaconsfield QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 67 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | – | #57 of 275 |
| National rank (type) | – | #328 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Special | Combined |
| Year range | Prep-12 | Prep-12 |
| Students | 82 | 1,151 |
| Girls / boys | 22 / 60 | 616 / 535 |
| Foundation intake | 7 | 74 |
| Year 7 cohort | 3 | 105 |
| Year 12 cohort | 6 | 70 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +0% | +70% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 949 | 1102 |
| ICSEA percentile | 24th | 85th |
| Top SEA quarter | 8% | 43% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 49% | 8% |
| Students per teacher | 4.0 | 13.2 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 20.4 | 86.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 21.7 | 43.4 |
| Language background other than English | 9% | 41% |
| Indigenous students | 18% | 3% |
| Suburb | Beaconsfield 4740 | Beaconsfield 4740 |
| Council area | Mackay | Mackay |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | mackaydistrictspecs.eq.edu.au | www.was.qld.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Whitsunday Anglican School has the higher ICSEA (1102 vs 949), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Mackay District Special School has fewer students per teacher (4.0 vs 13.2).
- •Whitsunday Anglican School is the larger school with 1,151 students compared with 82.
- •Whitsunday Anglican School has grown faster over five years (70% vs 0%).
- •Mackay District Special School is a government school while Whitsunday Anglican School is an independent 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 Mackay District Special School better than Whitsunday Anglican 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 Whitsunday Anglican School?
About 672 m in a straight line, between Beaconsfield and Beaconsfield in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Mackay District Special School has 4.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Whitsunday Anglican School has 13.2.
How do Mackay District Special School and Whitsunday Anglican School rank in QLD?
Mackay District Special School is unranked and Whitsunday Anglican School is 57th of 275 among special schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.