Southport Special School vs Southport State High School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 765 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Southport Special School
Southport · Government special · Prep-12
212 students · ICSEA 1027
Southport State High School
Southport · Government high school · 7-12
2,231 students · ICSEA 1031
| Measure | Southport Special School Southport QLD | Southport State High School Southport QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 58 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #78 of 269 |
| National rank (type) | – | #570 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Special | Secondary |
| Year range | Prep-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 212 | 2,231 |
| Girls / boys | 59 / 153 | 1,115 / 1,116 |
| Foundation intake | 24 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 23 | 428 |
| Year 12 cohort | 10 | 298 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -27% | +17% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1027 | 1031 |
| ICSEA percentile | 59th | 60th |
| Top SEA quarter | 19% | 16% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 26% | 21% |
| Students per teacher | 3.9 | 14.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 54.7 | 153.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 53.0 | 59.6 |
| Language background other than English | 30% | 34% |
| Indigenous students | 6% | 4% |
| Suburb | Southport 4215 | Southport 4215 |
| Council area | Gold Coast | Gold Coast |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | southportspecs.eq.edu.au | southportshs.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Southport State High School has the higher ICSEA (1031 vs 1027), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Southport Special School has fewer students per teacher (3.9 vs 14.5).
- •Southport State High School is the larger school with 2,231 students compared with 212.
- •Southport State High School has grown faster over five years (17% 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 Southport Special School better than Southport State High 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 Special School and Southport State High School?
About 765 m in a straight line, between Southport and Southport in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Southport Special School has 3.9 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Southport State High School has 14.5.
How do Southport Special School and Southport State High School rank in QLD?
Southport Special School is unranked and Southport State High School is 78th of 269 among special schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.