Merrimac State High School vs Miami State High School
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in Queensland, 3.4 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Merrimac State High School
Mermaid Waters · Government high school · 7-12
930 students · ICSEA 1029
Miami State High School
Miami · Government high school · 7-12
1,542 students · ICSEA 1032
| Measure | Merrimac State High School Mermaid Waters QLD | Miami State High School Miami QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 58 Top 50% | 58 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #77 of 269 | #75 of 269 |
| National rank (type) | #566 of 1,472 | #558 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 930 | 1,542 |
| Girls / boys | 458 / 472 | 806 / 736 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 148 | 246 |
| Year 12 cohort | 119 | 199 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -25% | +16% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1029 | 1032 |
| ICSEA percentile | 59th | 61th |
| Top SEA quarter | 13% | 15% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 21% | 20% |
| Students per teacher | 11.7 | 13.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 79.7 | 114.7 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 41.8 | 46.0 |
| Language background other than English | 28% | 16% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 4% |
| Suburb | Mermaid Waters 4218 | Miami 4220 |
| Council area | Gold Coast | Gold Coast |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | merrimacshs.eq.edu.au | miamishs.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (57.6 vs 58.1).
- •Miami State High School has the higher ICSEA (1032 vs 1029), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Merrimac State High School has fewer students per teacher (11.7 vs 13.4).
- •Miami State High School is the larger school with 1,542 students compared with 930.
- •Miami State High School has grown faster over five years (16% vs -25%).
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 Merrimac State High School better than Miami State High 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 Merrimac State High School and Miami State High School?
About 3.4 km in a straight line, between Mermaid Waters and Miami in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Merrimac State High School has 11.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Miami State High School has 13.4.
How do Merrimac State High School and Miami State High School rank in QLD?
Merrimac State High School is 77th of 269 and Miami State High School is 75th of 269 among secondary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.