Benowa State High School vs Josiah College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 1.9 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Benowa State High School
Benowa · Government high school · 7-12
2,129 students · ICSEA 1064
Josiah College
Carrara · Independent special · U
102 students · ICSEA 1084
| Measure | Benowa State High School Benowa QLD | Josiah College Carrara QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 66 Top 50% | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | #36 of 269 | – |
| National rank (type) | #385 of 1,472 | – |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Secondary | Special |
| Year range | 7-12 | U |
| Students | 2,129 | 102 |
| Girls / boys | 1,113 / 1,016 | 26 / 76 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 405 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 309 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +8% | +200% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1064 | 1084 |
| ICSEA percentile | 73th | 80th |
| Top SEA quarter | 25% | 29% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 13% | 8% |
| Students per teacher | 13.9 | 7.7 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 152.7 | 13.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 55.2 | 14.6 |
| Language background other than English | 45% | 7% |
| Indigenous students | 2% | 1% |
| Suburb | Benowa 4217 | Carrara 4211 |
| Council area | Gold Coast | Gold Coast |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | benowashs.eq.edu.au | www.josiah.qld.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Josiah College has the higher ICSEA (1084 vs 1064), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Josiah College has fewer students per teacher (7.7 vs 13.9).
- •Benowa State High School is the larger school with 2,129 students compared with 102.
- •Josiah College has grown faster over five years (200% vs 8%).
- •Benowa State High School is a government school while Josiah College is an independent school, so fees and enrolment rules differ.
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 Benowa State High School better than Josiah 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 Benowa State High School and Josiah College?
About 1.9 km in a straight line, between Benowa and Carrara in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Benowa State High School has 13.9 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Josiah College has 7.7.
How do Benowa State High School and Josiah College rank in QLD?
Benowa State High School is 36th of 269 and Josiah College is unranked among secondary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.