Top private schools in Gold Coast, 2026

Somerset College is one of Mudgeeraba's most established independent (non-denominational) co-educational school. Founded 1983. ICSEA 1155 (well above the national average of 1,000). IB World School offering both Primary Years Programme and IB Diploma. Tuition: $22,260/year (Year 12, 2026).

Best for: Academic families wanting an IB Diploma pathway

All Saints Anglican School (Gold Coast) sits among Merrimac's top anglican co-educational schools. Founded 1987. ICSEA 1137 (well above the national average of 1,000). Three sub-schools (Junior, Middle, Senior) on a 40-hectare campus. Tuition: $13,566/year (Year 12, 2026).

Best for: Families wanting a service-leadership and faith formation focus

Note: Resource fees, levies, camps and excursions billed separately.

St Hilda's School Southport, in Southport, is a long-standing anglican girls school. Founded 1912. ICSEA 1126 (well above the national average of 1,000). Only girls' school on the Gold Coast; full and weekly boarding from Year 6. Tuition: $27,284/year (Year 12, 2026).

Boarding: $28,912/yr (additional to tuition)

Best for: Music-strong students and families

Emmanuel College Gold Coast (Carrara) is recognised as a leading christian (multi-denominational) co-educational school. Founded 1985. ICSEA 1126 (well above the national average of 1,000). On-site kindergarten through Year 12. Tuition: $14,780/year (Year 12, 2026).

Best for: Academic families wanting an IB Diploma pathway

A.B. Paterson College is one of Arundel's most established independent co-ed school. Founded 1991. ICSEA 1089 (well above the national average of 1,000). First Queensland school to offer full-time Prep when it opened in January 1991. Tuition: $17,400/year (Year 12, 2026).

Best for: Co-educational families looking for a broad, balanced curriculum

Note: Fee year 2026. Year 7-Year 12 tuition $17,400/yr per the 2026 fee schedule sourced from the College via Good Schools Guide. ICSEA 1089 (speakingsame/MySchool). The College describes itself as non-denominational independent; some d

Trinity Lutheran College Ashmore sits among Ashmore's top lutheran co-educational schools. Founded 1981. ICSEA 1088 (well above the national average of 1,000). IB World School offering Primary Years Programme. Tuition: $10,400/year (Year 12, 2026).

Best for: Academic families wanting an IB Diploma pathway

King's Christian College, in Reedy Creek, is a long-standing christian co-educational school. Founded 1980. ICSEA 1086 (well above the national average of 1,000). Two campuses (Reedy Creek + Pimpama). Tuition: $6,753/year (Year 12, 2026).

Best for: Co-educational families looking for a broad, balanced curriculum

Coomera Anglican College (Upper Coomera) is recognised as a leading anglican co-educational school. Founded 1997. ICSEA 1076 (well above the national average of 1,000). Anglican Diocese of Brisbane school. Tuition: $12,100/year (Year 12, 2026).

Best for: STEM-leaning students and families

Note: CAC publishes fees only behind a portal. Contact (07) 5585 9900 for definitive 2026 schedule.

Marymount College is one of Burleigh Waters's most established catholic co-ed school. Founded 1968. ICSEA 1063 (well above the national average of 1,000). First co-educational non-state school in Queensland (opened 1968 as a girls' school, soon went co-ed). Tuition: $4,908/year (Year 12, 2026).

Best for: Families wanting a service-leadership and faith formation focus

Note: Fee year 2026. Years 11-12 tuition $4,908/yr and Year 7 $4,120/yr per Good Schools Guide (sourced from the College; the school publishes a 2026 Schedule of Fees, Levies and Charges PDF). Levies apply on top. ICSEA 1063 verified. F

Assisi Catholic College sits among Upper Coomera's top catholic co-ed schools. ICSEA 1057 (well above the national average of 1,000). Low-cost Catholic P-12 schooling: Senior (Years 10-12) tuition just $2,680/yr, among the most affordable in this group. Tuition: $2,680/year (Year 12, 2026).

Best for: Families wanting Catholic faith formation alongside academic outcomes

Note: Fee year 2026. Senior Years (10-12) tuition $670/term = $2,680/yr per the official 2026 Fees Schedule, plus levies (Capital ~$996/yr, Resource ~$2,456/yr, P&F ~$116) bringing the all-in to ~$6,248/yr. Year 7 tuition not separately

Aquinas College, in Ashmore, is a long-standing catholic co-ed school. Founded 1964. ICSEA 1051 (well above the national average of 1,000). Oldest co-educational Catholic college on the Gold Coast, set on 40 acres on the Southport/Ashmore border. Tuition: $6,300/year (Year 12, 2026).

Best for: Families wanting Catholic faith formation alongside academic outcomes

Note: Fee year 2026. Years 11-12 (Senior) tuition $1,575/term = $6,300/yr per the official 2026 Schedule of Fees; same tuition applies across year bands with additional levies (Capital ~$1,084/yr, IT ~$720/yr, P&F $110). ICSEA 1051. Cam

Livingstone Christian College (Ormeau) is recognised as a leading christian co-ed school. Founded 2002. ICSEA 1036 (well above the national average of 1,000). Generous sibling discounts: third and subsequent children attend tuition-free. Tuition: $7,900/year (Year 12, 2026).

Best for: Academic families wanting an IB Diploma pathway

Note: Fee year 2026. Years 11-12 tuition $7,900/yr and Year 7 $6,320/yr per Good Schools Guide (sourced from the College). Year levels scale: Prep-Yr6 $5,180, Yr8-9 $7,360, Yr10 $7,670, Yr11-12 $7,900. Third and subsequent children free

The Southport School is one of Southport's most established anglican boys school. Founded 1901. Largest boys' boarding facility in Queensland (276 boarders Years 7-12). Tuition: $31,773/year (Year 12, 2026).

Best for: Sport-focused families, especially rowing and water-sports

Note: TSS does not publish 2026 fees publicly; figures via Good Schools Guide.