Communicare Academy vs SMYL Community College
A head-to-head comparison of two special schools in Western Australia, 33 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Communicare Academy
Kenwick · Independent special · 7-12
70 students · ICSEA 896
SMYL Community College
Rockingham · Independent special · 9-12
252 students · ICSEA 905
| Measure | Communicare Academy Kenwick WA | SMYL Community College Rockingham WA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | – | – |
| National rank (type) | – | – |
| Sector | Independent | Independent |
| Type | Special | Special |
| Year range | 7-12 | 9-12 |
| Students | 70 | 252 |
| Girls / boys | 33 / 37 | 152 / 100 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 5 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 11 | 59 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -17% | -52% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 896 | 905 |
| ICSEA percentile | 10th | 12th |
| Top SEA quarter | 1% | 1% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 74% | 70% |
| Students per teacher | 5.8 | 8.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 12.0 | 28.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 10.2 | 51.9 |
| Language background other than English | 0% | 1% |
| Indigenous students | 9% | 13% |
| Suburb | Kenwick 6107 | Rockingham 6168 |
| Council area | Gosnells | Rockingham |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.communicare.wa.edu.au/ | www.smylcollege.wa.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •SMYL Community College has the higher ICSEA (905 vs 896), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Communicare Academy has fewer students per teacher (5.8 vs 8.9).
- •SMYL Community College is the larger school with 252 students compared with 70.
- •Communicare Academy has grown faster over five years (-17% vs -52%).
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 Communicare Academy better than SMYL Community College?
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 Communicare Academy and SMYL Community College?
About 33 km in a straight line, between Kenwick and Rockingham in Western Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Communicare Academy has 5.8 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and SMYL Community College has 8.9.
How do Communicare Academy and SMYL Community College rank in WA?
Communicare Academy is unranked and SMYL Community College is unranked among special schools in Western Australia on the 2025 Success Index.