Southport Flexible School vs Southport Special School
A head-to-head comparison of two special schools in Queensland, 272 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Southport Flexible School
Southport · Catholic special · 7-12
90 students · ICSEA 935
Southport Special School
Southport · Government special · Prep-12
212 students · ICSEA 1027
| Measure | Southport Flexible School Southport QLD | Southport Special School Southport QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | – | – |
| National rank (type) | – | – |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Special | Special |
| Year range | 7-12 | Prep-12 |
| Students | 90 | 212 |
| Girls / boys | 36 / 54 | 59 / 153 |
| Foundation intake | – | 24 |
| Year 7 cohort | 4 | 23 |
| Year 12 cohort | 12 | 10 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +8% | -27% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 935 | 1027 |
| ICSEA percentile | 20th | 59th |
| Top SEA quarter | 4% | 19% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 56% | 26% |
| Students per teacher | 14.1 | 3.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 6.4 | 54.7 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 7.5 | 53.0 |
| Language background other than English | 5% | 30% |
| Indigenous students | 18% | 6% |
| Suburb | Southport 4215 | Southport 4215 |
| Council area | Gold Coast | Gold Coast |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | southport.flexi.edu.au/ | southportspecs.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Southport Special School has the higher ICSEA (1027 vs 935), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Southport Special School has fewer students per teacher (3.9 vs 14.1).
- •Southport Special School is the larger school with 212 students compared with 90.
- •Southport Flexible School has grown faster over five years (8% vs -27%).
- •Southport Flexible School is a catholic school while Southport 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 Southport Flexible School 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 Southport Flexible School and Southport Special School?
About 272 m in a straight line, between Southport and Southport in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Southport Flexible School has 14.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Southport Special School has 3.9.
How do Southport Flexible School and Southport Special School rank in QLD?
Southport Flexible School is unranked and Southport Special School is unranked among special schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.