Founded in 1979, Merrimac State High School is a coeducational, public school for students from 12 to 18 years of age.
The school has two phases of education; Junior Secondary for students in Years 7-9 and Senior Secondary for Years 10-12. During the Senior Secondary phase of learning students have an opportunity to choose either an academic and/or vocational program. The curriculum is based on eight key learning areas and enhanced in Years 11 and 12 with a choice of 51 subjects (registered with the Queensland Studies Authority), as well as Australian Quality Training certificates.
All teaching staff are fully qualified and share in the school’s values of respect, responsibility and reliability. Students are also supported by our Guidance Officers, Psychologists, Chaplain, Social Worker and Industry Liaison Officer.
The school has a current enrolment of 1240 students representing 42 nationalities with the largest groups being from Australia then New Zealand, followed by England, Japan and Thailand. Within the student population, which draws mostly from the surrounding neighbourhood, we have a strong International Student program including students from Asia, South America and Europe. 100 students are enrolled in special education classes.
The school is located in the geographical heart of the Gold Coast, close to beaches, public transport and shopping centres. The extensive 10.4 hectare site is well laid out with mature trees and gardens that offer outdoor eating areas and shaded meeting spaces. In addition to general classrooms the school also has a library, swimming pool, sport and assembly hall, gymnasium, tennis, basketball and netball courts, ovals, performing arts theatre, music rooms, home economics kitchen, hospitality centre, dance studio, art rooms, robotics laboratory, canteen and administration centre.