Best Schools on the Gold Coast

Top schools on the Gold Coast

1. A B Paterson College
   Arundel · Independent · Combined — Academic 73/100
2. The Southport School
   Southport · Independent · Combined — Academic 72/100
3. Somerset College
   Mudgeeraba · Independent · Combined — Academic 72/100
4. All Saints Anglican School
   Merrimac · Independent · Combined — Academic 70/100
5. St Hilda's School
   Southport · Independent · Combined — Academic 70/100
6. Broadbeach State School
   Broadbeach · Government · Primary — Academic 68/100
7. Emmanuel College
   Carrara · Independent · Combined — Academic 67/100
8. Tallebudgera State School
   Tallebudgera · Government · Primary — Academic 66/100

Most-listed suburbs on the Gold Coast

• Southport (7 schools) · avg academic 55/100
• Coomera (6 schools) · avg academic 48/100
• Pimpama (6 schools) · avg academic 45/100
• Upper Coomera (5 schools) · avg academic 50/100
• Ashmore (5 schools) · avg academic 57/100
• Mudgeeraba (5 schools) · avg academic 57/100
• Nerang (4 schools) · avg academic 40/100
• Merrimac (4 schools) · avg academic 56/100
• Pacific Pines (4 schools) · avg academic 51/100
• Robina (3 schools) · avg academic 56/100

Schools on the Gold Coast: a closer look

The Gold Coast is one of Australia's fastest-growing school markets, with new government and independent schools opening regularly to keep pace with population growth in the northern corridor from Coomera through Pimpama to Ormeau. This stretch has seen multiple new state primary and secondary schools built since 2018, and more are planned as the population of the northern Gold Coast pushes past 100,000.

The established southern suburbs from Burleigh Heads through Palm Beach to Coolangatta have a more settled school mix. Miami State High School, Palm Beach Currumbin State High School and Elanora State High School are among the stronger government secondaries, while The Southport School (TSS), St Hilda's and Somerset College anchor the independent sector. All Saints Anglican School in Merrimac and A.B. Paterson College in Arundel serve the central Gold Coast. Benowa State High School, which sits behind the central Gold Coast's hinterland fringe, consistently posts among the city's strongest NAPLAN results.

The Catholic system operates several well-regarded colleges including Marymount College in Burleigh Waters, Aquinas College in Ashmore, Guardian Angels in Southport and St Michael's College in Merrimac. Marymount is the strongest Catholic secondary performer on the Gold Coast, with NAPLAN results that sit comfortably above both city and state averages.

NAPLAN results on the Gold Coast vary more widely than in Brisbane or Sydney, reflecting the city's diverse demographic profile from Surfers Paradise high-rises to hinterland acreage. Families in the hinterland suburbs of Mudgeeraba, Robina and Varsity Lakes have access to both coastal and inland school options within short commute distances. The Gold Coast's rapid population growth means school capacity is under constant pressure, particularly in the northern corridor where new estates regularly outpace school construction.