Alta-1 College vs South West Community College - Bunbury Campus
A head-to-head comparison of two special schools in Western Australia, 175 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Alta-1 College
Joondalup · Independent special · 7-12
845 students · ICSEA 950
South West Community College - Bunbury Campus
Bunbury · Independent special · 10-12
170 students · ICSEA 950
| Measure | Alta-1 College Joondalup WA | South West Community College - Bunbury Campus Bunbury WA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | – | – |
| National rank (type) | – | – |
| Sector | Independent | Independent |
| Type | Special | Special |
| Year range | 7-12 | 10-12 |
| Students | 845 | 170 |
| Girls / boys | 483 / 362 | 103 / 67 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 29 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 77 | 48 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +7% | +28% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 950 | 950 |
| ICSEA percentile | 25th | 25th |
| Top SEA quarter | 4% | 5% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 56% | 48% |
| Students per teacher | 9.4 | 11.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 89.8 | 15.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 87.0 | 27.8 |
| Language background other than English | 3% | 0% |
| Indigenous students | 7% | 12% |
| Suburb | Joondalup 6027 | Bunbury 6231 |
| Council area | Joondalup | Bunbury |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.alta-1.wa.edu.au | www.brcc.org.au/ |
The verdict
- •Alta-1 College has fewer students per teacher (9.4 vs 11.3).
- •Alta-1 College is the larger school with 845 students compared with 170.
- •South West Community College - Bunbury Campus has grown faster over five years (28% vs 7%).
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 Alta-1 College better than South West Community College - Bunbury Campus?
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 Alta-1 College and South West Community College - Bunbury Campus?
About 175 km in a straight line, between Joondalup and Bunbury in Western Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Alta-1 College has 9.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and South West Community College - Bunbury Campus has 11.3.
How do Alta-1 College and South West Community College - Bunbury Campus rank in WA?
Alta-1 College is unranked and South West Community College - Bunbury Campus is unranked among special schools in Western Australia on the 2025 Success Index.