Mount Isa School of the Air vs Mount Isa Special School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 459 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Mount Isa School of the Air
Pioneer · Government combined · Prep-10
175 students · ICSEA 1009
Mount Isa Special School
Pioneer · Government special · Prep-12
35 students · ICSEA 877
| Measure | Mount Isa School of the Air Pioneer QLD | Mount Isa Special School Pioneer QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 53 Top 50% | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | #112 of 275 | – |
| National rank (type) | #582 of 1,259 | – |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Combined | Special |
| Year range | Prep-10 | Prep-12 |
| Students | 175 | 35 |
| Girls / boys | 83 / 92 | 10 / 25 |
| Foundation intake | 13 | 3 |
| Year 7 cohort | 6 | 9 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 1 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +21% | +0% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1009 | 877 |
| ICSEA percentile | 51th | 7th |
| Top SEA quarter | 16% | 9% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 26% | 48% |
| Students per teacher | 7.1 | 4.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 24.6 | 8.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 6.4 | 8.6 |
| Language background other than English | 6% | 28% |
| Indigenous students | 12% | 54% |
| Suburb | Pioneer 4825 | Pioneer 4825 |
| Council area | Mount Isa | Mount Isa |
| Remoteness | Remote | Remote |
| Website | mtisasde.eq.edu.au | mtisaspecs.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Mount Isa School of the Air has the higher ICSEA (1009 vs 877), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Mount Isa Special School has fewer students per teacher (4.0 vs 7.1).
- •Mount Isa School of the Air is the larger school with 175 students compared with 35.
- •Mount Isa School of the Air has grown faster over five years (21% vs 0%).
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 Mount Isa School of the Air better than Mount Isa 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 Mount Isa School of the Air and Mount Isa Special School?
About 459 m in a straight line, between Pioneer and Pioneer in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Mount Isa School of the Air has 7.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Mount Isa Special School has 4.0.
How do Mount Isa School of the Air and Mount Isa Special School rank in QLD?
Mount Isa School of the Air is 112th of 275 and Mount Isa Special School is unranked among combined schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.