Port School vs SMYL Community College
A head-to-head comparison of two special schools in Western Australia, 21 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Port School
Hamilton Hill · Independent special · 8-12
156 students · ICSEA 906
SMYL Community College
Rockingham · Independent special · 9-12
252 students · ICSEA 905
| Measure | Port School Hamilton Hill 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 | 8-12 | 9-12 |
| Students | 156 | 252 |
| Girls / boys | 88 / 68 | 152 / 100 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 49 | 59 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +10% | -52% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 906 | 905 |
| ICSEA percentile | 12th | 12th |
| Top SEA quarter | 3% | 1% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 59% | 70% |
| Students per teacher | 8.0 | 8.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 19.4 | 28.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 31.0 | 51.9 |
| Language background other than English | 6% | 1% |
| Indigenous students | 19% | 13% |
| Suburb | Hamilton Hill 6163 | Rockingham 6168 |
| Council area | Cockburn | Rockingham |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.portschool.wa.edu.au/ | www.smylcollege.wa.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Port School has the higher ICSEA (906 vs 905), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Port School has fewer students per teacher (8.0 vs 8.9).
- •SMYL Community College is the larger school with 252 students compared with 156.
- •Port School has grown faster over five years (10% 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 Port School 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 Port School and SMYL Community College?
About 21 km in a straight line, between Hamilton Hill and Rockingham in Western Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Port School has 8.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and SMYL Community College has 8.9.
How do Port School and SMYL Community College rank in WA?
Port School is unranked and SMYL Community College is unranked among special schools in Western Australia on the 2025 Success Index.