Southport Special School vs Sunnybank Special School
A head-to-head comparison of two special schools in Queensland, 55 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
Sunnybank Special School
Sunnybank · Government special · Prep-12
112 students · ICSEA 1028
| Measure | Southport Special School Southport QLD | Sunnybank Special School Sunnybank QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | – | – |
| National rank (type) | – | – |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Special | Special |
| Year range | Prep-12 | Prep-12 |
| Students | 212 | 112 |
| Girls / boys | 59 / 153 | 25 / 87 |
| Foundation intake | 24 | 15 |
| Year 7 cohort | 23 | 8 |
| Year 12 cohort | 10 | 4 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -27% | +90% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1027 | 1028 |
| ICSEA percentile | 59th | 59th |
| Top SEA quarter | 19% | 21% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 26% | 27% |
| Students per teacher | 3.9 | 3.7 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 54.7 | 30.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 53.0 | 35.0 |
| Language background other than English | 30% | 42% |
| Indigenous students | 6% | 4% |
| Suburb | Southport 4215 | Sunnybank 4109 |
| Council area | Gold Coast | Brisbane |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | southportspecs.eq.edu.au | sunnybankspecs.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Sunnybank Special School has the higher ICSEA (1028 vs 1027), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Southport Special School is the larger school with 212 students compared with 112.
- •Sunnybank Special School has grown faster over five years (90% 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 Sunnybank 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 Special School and Sunnybank Special School?
About 55 km in a straight line, between Southport and Sunnybank in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Southport Special School has 3.9 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Sunnybank Special School has 3.7.
How do Southport Special School and Sunnybank Special School rank in QLD?
Southport Special School is unranked and Sunnybank Special School is unranked among special schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.