Fairbridge College vs SMYL Community College
A head-to-head comparison of two special schools in Western Australia, 41 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Fairbridge College
Pinjarra · Independent special · 7-12
167 students · ICSEA 912
SMYL Community College
Rockingham · Independent special · 9-12
252 students · ICSEA 905
| Measure | Fairbridge College Pinjarra 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 | 167 | 252 |
| Girls / boys | 78 / 89 | 152 / 100 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 16 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 12 | 59 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +34% | -52% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 912 | 905 |
| ICSEA percentile | 13th | 12th |
| Top SEA quarter | 3% | 1% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 64% | 70% |
| Students per teacher | 9.5 | 8.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 17.6 | 28.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 17.7 | 51.9 |
| Language background other than English | 3% | 1% |
| Indigenous students | 19% | 13% |
| Suburb | Pinjarra 6208 | Rockingham 6168 |
| Council area | Murray | Rockingham |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Major Cities |
| Website | www.fairbridge.wa.edu.au/ | www.smylcollege.wa.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Fairbridge College has the higher ICSEA (912 vs 905), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •SMYL Community College has fewer students per teacher (8.9 vs 9.5).
- •SMYL Community College is the larger school with 252 students compared with 167.
- •Fairbridge College has grown faster over five years (34% 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 Fairbridge College 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 Fairbridge College and SMYL Community College?
About 41 km in a straight line, between Pinjarra and Rockingham in Western Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Fairbridge College has 9.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and SMYL Community College has 8.9.
How do Fairbridge College and SMYL Community College rank in WA?
Fairbridge College is unranked and SMYL Community College is unranked among special schools in Western Australia on the 2025 Success Index.