Furlong Park School For Deaf Children vs Western Autistic School
A head-to-head comparison of two special schools in Victoria, 11 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Furlong Park School For Deaf Children
Sunshine North · Government special · U
67 students · ICSEA 1043
Western Autistic School
Laverton · Government special · U
290 students · ICSEA 1042
| Measure | Furlong Park School For Deaf Children Sunshine North VIC | Western Autistic School Laverton VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | – | – |
| National rank (type) | – | – |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Special | Special |
| Year range | U | U |
| Students | 67 | 290 |
| Girls / boys | 32 / 35 | 69 / 221 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +6% | -27% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1043 | 1042 |
| ICSEA percentile | 66th | 65th |
| Top SEA quarter | 24% | 21% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 24% | 24% |
| Students per teacher | 4.4 | 3.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 12.3 | 73.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 10.4 | 83.5 |
| Language background other than English | 71% | 70% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 1% |
| Suburb | Sunshine North 3020 | Laverton 3028 |
| Council area | Brimbank | Hobsons Bay |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.furlongpark.vic.edu.au | www.westernautisticschool.vic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Furlong Park School For Deaf Children has the higher ICSEA (1043 vs 1042), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Western Autistic School has fewer students per teacher (3.8 vs 4.4).
- •Western Autistic School is the larger school with 290 students compared with 67.
- •Furlong Park School For Deaf Children has grown faster over five years (6% 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 Furlong Park School For Deaf Children better than Western Autistic 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 Furlong Park School For Deaf Children and Western Autistic School?
About 11 km in a straight line, between Sunshine North and Laverton in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Furlong Park School For Deaf Children has 4.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Western Autistic School has 3.8.
How do Furlong Park School For Deaf Children and Western Autistic School rank in VIC?
Furlong Park School For Deaf Children is unranked and Western Autistic School is unranked among special schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.