Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School vs Toowoomba West Special School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 1.3 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School
Toowoomba · Catholic primary · Prep-6
454 students · ICSEA 1029
Toowoomba West Special School
Newtown · Government special · Prep-6
140 students · ICSEA 953
| Measure | Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School Toowoomba QLD | Toowoomba West Special School Newtown QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 55 Top 50% | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | #273 of 804 | – |
| National rank (type) | #2359 of 4,908 | – |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Primary | Special |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 454 | 140 |
| Girls / boys | 236 / 218 | 42 / 98 |
| Foundation intake | 72 | 15 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +10% | +35% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1029 | 953 |
| ICSEA percentile | 59th | 26th |
| Top SEA quarter | 17% | 13% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 18% | 42% |
| Students per teacher | 16.3 | 3.7 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 27.9 | 37.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 11.9 | 42.2 |
| Language background other than English | 10% | 11% |
| Indigenous students | 11% | 27% |
| Suburb | Toowoomba 4350 | Newtown 4350 |
| Council area | Toowoomba | Toowoomba |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | ollourdesps.schoolzineplus.com/ | toowoombawestspecs.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1029 vs 953), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Toowoomba West Special School has fewer students per teacher (3.7 vs 16.3).
- •Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School is the larger school with 454 students compared with 140.
- •Toowoomba West Special School has grown faster over five years (35% vs 10%).
- •Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School is a catholic school while Toowoomba West Special School is a government 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 Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School better than Toowoomba West 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 Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School and Toowoomba West Special School?
About 1.3 km in a straight line, between Toowoomba and Newtown in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School has 16.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Toowoomba West Special School has 3.7.
How do Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School and Toowoomba West Special School rank in QLD?
Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School is 273rd of 804 and Toowoomba West Special School is unranked among primary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.