Southport Special School vs St Hilda's 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.
Southport Special School
Southport · Government special · Prep-12
212 students · ICSEA 1027
St Hilda's School
Southport · Independent combined · Prep-12
1,258 students · ICSEA 1135
| Measure | Southport Special School Southport QLD | St Hilda's School Southport QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 74 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | – | #19 of 275 |
| National rank (type) | – | #198 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Special | Combined |
| Year range | Prep-12 | Prep-12 |
| Students | 212 | 1,258 |
| Girls / boys | 59 / 153 | 1,258 / 0 |
| Foundation intake | 24 | 61 |
| Year 7 cohort | 23 | 118 |
| Year 12 cohort | 10 | 110 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -27% | +14% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1027 | 1135 |
| ICSEA percentile | 59th | 92th |
| Top SEA quarter | 19% | 54% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 26% | 3% |
| Students per teacher | 3.9 | 12.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 54.7 | 100.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 53.0 | 69.0 |
| Language background other than English | 30% | 36% |
| Indigenous students | 6% | 2% |
| Suburb | Southport 4215 | Southport 4215 |
| Council area | Gold Coast | Gold Coast |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | southportspecs.eq.edu.au | www.sthildas.qld.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Hilda's School has the higher ICSEA (1135 vs 1027), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Southport Special School has fewer students per teacher (3.9 vs 12.5).
- •St Hilda's School is the larger school with 1,258 students compared with 212.
- •St Hilda's School has grown faster over five years (14% vs -27%).
- •Southport Special School is a government school while St Hilda's School is an independent 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 Special School better than St Hilda's 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 St Hilda's School?
About 1.7 km 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 St Hilda's School has 12.5.
How do Southport Special School and St Hilda's School rank in QLD?
Southport Special School is unranked and St Hilda's School is 19th of 275 among special schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.