Mount Isa Special School vs Sunset State School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 1.7 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Mount Isa Special School
Pioneer · Government special · Prep-12
35 students · ICSEA 877
Sunset State School
Sunset · Government primary · Prep-6
257 students · ICSEA 727
| Measure | Mount Isa Special School Pioneer QLD | Sunset State School Sunset QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 13 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #804 of 804 |
| National rank (type) | – | #4905 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Special | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-12 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 35 | 257 |
| Girls / boys | 10 / 25 | 136 / 121 |
| Foundation intake | 3 | 34 |
| Year 7 cohort | 9 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 1 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +0% | -5% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 877 | 727 |
| ICSEA percentile | 7th | 2th |
| Top SEA quarter | 9% | 1% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 48% | 81% |
| Students per teacher | 4.0 | 14.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 8.8 | 18.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 8.6 | 12.2 |
| Language background other than English | 28% | 12% |
| Indigenous students | 54% | 81% |
| Suburb | Pioneer 4825 | Sunset 4825 |
| Council area | Mount Isa | Mount Isa |
| Remoteness | Remote | Remote |
| Website | mtisaspecs.eq.edu.au | sunsetss.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Mount Isa Special School has the higher ICSEA (877 vs 727), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Mount Isa Special School has fewer students per teacher (4.0 vs 14.1).
- •Sunset State School is the larger school with 257 students compared with 35.
- •Mount Isa Special School has grown faster over five years (0% vs -5%).
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 Mount Isa Special School better than Sunset 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 Mount Isa Special School and Sunset State School?
About 1.7 km in a straight line, between Pioneer and Sunset in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Mount Isa Special School has 4.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Sunset State School has 14.1.
How do Mount Isa Special School and Sunset State School rank in QLD?
Mount Isa Special School is unranked and Sunset State School is 804th of 804 among special schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.