Queensland Academy for Health Sciences vs Southport 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.
Queensland Academy for Health Sciences
Southport · Government high school · 10-12
468 students · ICSEA 1109
Southport Special School
Southport · Government special · Prep-12
212 students · ICSEA 1027
| Measure | Queensland Academy for Health Sciences Southport QLD | Southport Special School Southport QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 84 Top 5% | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | #5 of 269 | – |
| National rank (type) | #34 of 1,472 | – |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Special |
| Year range | 10-12 | Prep-12 |
| Students | 468 | 212 |
| Girls / boys | 274 / 194 | 59 / 153 |
| Foundation intake | – | 24 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 23 |
| Year 12 cohort | 154 | 10 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +11% | -27% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1109 | 1027 |
| ICSEA percentile | 87th | 59th |
| Top SEA quarter | 43% | 19% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 5% | 26% |
| Students per teacher | 10.4 | 3.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 45.0 | 54.7 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 19.7 | 53.0 |
| Language background other than English | 75% | 30% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 6% |
| Suburb | Southport 4215 | Southport 4215 |
| Council area | Gold Coast | Gold Coast |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | qahs.eq.edu.au | southportspecs.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Queensland Academy for Health Sciences has the higher ICSEA (1109 vs 1027), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Southport Special School has fewer students per teacher (3.9 vs 10.4).
- •Queensland Academy for Health Sciences is the larger school with 468 students compared with 212.
- •Queensland Academy for Health Sciences has grown faster over five years (11% vs -27%).
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 Queensland Academy for Health Sciences better than Southport 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 Queensland Academy for Health Sciences and Southport Special School?
About 1.3 km in a straight line, between Southport and Southport in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Queensland Academy for Health Sciences has 10.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Southport Special School has 3.9.
How do Queensland Academy for Health Sciences and Southport Special School rank in QLD?
Queensland Academy for Health Sciences is 5th of 269 and Southport Special School is unranked among secondary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.