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Mapleton State School vs Nambour Special School

A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 8.0 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.

MeasureMapleton State School
Mapleton QLD
Nambour Special School
Burnside QLD
Success Index
61
Top 50%
–
Not rated
State rank (type)#206 of 804–
National rank (type)#1869 of 4,908–
SectorGovernmentGovernment
TypePrimarySpecial
Year rangePrep-6Prep-12
Students177132
Girls / boys79 / 9840 / 92
Foundation intake216
Year 7 cohort–8
Year 12 cohort–9
VCE median study score
VCAA, latest year
––
VCE study scores 40+––
5-year enrolment growth-2%-11%
ICSEA
Average 1000
10481002
ICSEA percentile67th48th
Top SEA quarter23%15%
Bottom SEA quarter16%34%
Students per teacher15.43.5
Teaching staff (FTE)11.537.5
Non-teaching staff (FTE)7.036.1
Language background other than English13%7%
Indigenous students6%9%
SuburbMapleton 4560Burnside 4560
Council areaSunshine CoastSunshine Coast
RemotenessInner RegionalMajor Cities
Websitemapletonss.eq.edu.aunambourspecs.eq.edu.au

The verdict

  • •Mapleton State School has the higher ICSEA (1048 vs 1002), indicating a more advantaged community.
  • •Nambour Special School has fewer students per teacher (3.5 vs 15.4).
  • •Mapleton State School is the larger school with 177 students compared with 132.
  • •Mapleton State School has grown faster over five years (-2% vs -11%).

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 Mapleton State School better than Nambour 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 Mapleton State School and Nambour Special School?

About 8.0 km in a straight line, between Mapleton and Burnside in Queensland.

Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?

Mapleton State School has 15.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Nambour Special School has 3.5.

How do Mapleton State School and Nambour Special School rank in QLD?

Mapleton State School is 206th of 804 and Nambour Special School is unranked among primary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.