Josiah College vs Merrimac State School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 3.1 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Josiah College
Carrara · Independent special · U
102 students · ICSEA 1084
Merrimac State School
Merrimac · Government primary · Prep-6
600 students · ICSEA 1020
| Measure | Josiah College Carrara QLD | Merrimac State School Merrimac QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 49 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #346 of 804 |
| National rank (type) | – | #2793 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Independent | Government |
| Type | Special | Primary |
| Year range | U | Prep-6 |
| Students | 102 | 600 |
| Girls / boys | 26 / 76 | 307 / 293 |
| Foundation intake | – | 67 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +200% | -23% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1084 | 1020 |
| ICSEA percentile | 80th | 56th |
| Top SEA quarter | 29% | 11% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 8% | 22% |
| Students per teacher | 7.7 | 14.2 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 13.2 | 42.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 14.6 | 19.9 |
| Language background other than English | 7% | 27% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 5% |
| Suburb | Carrara 4211 | Merrimac 4226 |
| Council area | Gold Coast | Gold Coast |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.josiah.qld.edu.au/ | merrimacss.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Josiah College has the higher ICSEA (1084 vs 1020), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Josiah College has fewer students per teacher (7.7 vs 14.2).
- •Merrimac State School is the larger school with 600 students compared with 102.
- •Josiah College has grown faster over five years (200% vs -23%).
- •Josiah College is a independent school while Merrimac State School is a government 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.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Your nearest centre: Success Tutoring Mount Gravatt East
Frequently asked questions
Is Josiah College better than Merrimac State School?
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 Josiah College and Merrimac State School?
About 3.1 km in a straight line, between Carrara and Merrimac in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Josiah College has 7.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Merrimac State School has 14.2.
How do Josiah College and Merrimac State School rank in QLD?
Josiah College is unranked and Merrimac State School is 346th of 804 among special schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.