Schools on the Sunshine Coast: Guide for Families

Schools on the Sunshine Coast

The Sunshine Coast's rapid population growth has required significant school expansion. The region now has a full range of public, Catholic, and independent schools across its stretch from Caloundra in the south to Noosa in the north. Queensland's P-12 structure applies here as in Brisbane.

Government Schools

Notable government schools include Maroochydore State High School, Mountain Creek State High School, Caloundra State High School, and Noosa District State High School. The growing northern Sunshine Coast (Noosa Shire) and the southern Caloundra-Pelican Waters corridor are seeing new state schools open to keep pace with residential development. Sunshine Coast's state schools perform well on NAPLAN relative to the state average.

Catholic Schools

Sunshine Coast Catholic schools include St Andrew's Anglican College (Peregian Springs, Anglican, not Catholic but competes similarly), and within the Catholic system: Siena Catholic College (Sippy Downs, Years 7-12), Matthew Flinders Anglican College (Buderim), Montrose Access and others. Diocese of Rockhampton and Diocese of Brisbane both cover parts of the Sunshine Coast.

Independent Schools

Leading independent schools include Matthew Flinders Anglican College (Buderim, co-ed P-12), St Andrew's Anglican College (Peregian Springs, co-ed P-12), Sunshine Coast Grammar School (Forest Glen, co-ed K-12), and Immanuel Lutheran College (Buderim, co-ed P-12). The hinterland has several smaller alternative and faith-based schools.

Finding and Enrolling

Government school enrolments are through the Queensland Department of Education. Contact independent and Catholic schools directly. Open days are typically held in Term 2 and Term 3 for the following year's intake.

This article was compiled by AI and screened before publishing. See our editorial standards.