Emerson School vs South Gippsland Specialist School
A head-to-head comparison of two special schools in Victoria, 87 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Emerson School
Dandenong · Government special · U
371 students · ICSEA 953
South Gippsland Specialist School
Leongatha · Government special · U
67 students · ICSEA 952
| Measure | Emerson School Dandenong VIC | South Gippsland Specialist School Leongatha VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | – | – |
| National rank (type) | – | – |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Special | Special |
| Year range | U | U |
| Students | 371 | 67 |
| Girls / boys | 114 / 257 | 20 / 47 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -10% | +14% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 953 | 952 |
| ICSEA percentile | 26th | 26th |
| Top SEA quarter | 8% | 6% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 54% | 55% |
| Students per teacher | 5.9 | 5.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 62.7 | 11.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 50.2 | 23.9 |
| Language background other than English | 52% | 9% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 10% |
| Suburb | Dandenong 3175 | Leongatha 3953 |
| Council area | Greater Dandenong | South Gippsland |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.emersonsc.vic.edu.au/ | www.vrqa.vic.gov.au/StateRegister/Provider.aspx/DetailsProvider?AccountID=53535524-ed32-de11-9c94-002185cd8e5c |
The verdict
- •Emerson School has the higher ICSEA (953 vs 952), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Emerson School is the larger school with 371 students compared with 67.
- •South Gippsland Specialist School has grown faster over five years (14% vs -10%).
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 Emerson School better than South Gippsland Specialist 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 Emerson School and South Gippsland Specialist School?
About 87 km in a straight line, between Dandenong and Leongatha in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Emerson School has 5.9 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and South Gippsland Specialist School has 5.5.
How do Emerson School and South Gippsland Specialist School rank in VIC?
Emerson School is unranked and South Gippsland Specialist School is unranked among special schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.