A B Paterson College vs The Southport School
A B Paterson College (Arundel) and The Southport School (Southport) are both independent schools on the Gold Coast. A B Paterson College is co-educational; The Southport School is a boys’ school. Both teach P-12. Only The Southport School takes boarders. A B Paterson College has 1,652 students and The Southport School has 1,621 (ACARA 2025). They are about 8.1 km apart in a straight line.
Photos: A B Paterson College (school website) · The Southport School (school website)
See both schools’ full fees, ATAR results and cost to Year 12
Every year level’s fees from each school’s own schedule, the results each school publishes, and the total cost to Year 12, side by side.
Compare these schools in full →A$9.99 a year, cancel anytimeSecure payment by Stripe
Key numbers
Students, ICSEA, students per teacher and girls/boys: ACARA My School 2025 (students per teacher is total enrolments divided by full-time-equivalent teaching staff; it isn’t class size).
Fees and results
Side by side
| Fact | A B Paterson College | The Southport School |
|---|---|---|
| Suburb | Arundel | Southport |
| Region | Gold Coast - North | Southport |
| Sector | Independent | Independent |
| Students | Co-ed | Boys |
| Year levels | P-12 | P-12 |
| Religion | Non-denominational (Christian ethos) | Anglican |
| Boarding | No | Yes |
| Senior years | QCE | QCE |
| Facilities and sport (school site) | Gym, Theatre / performing arts centre, Early learning centre, Library, Australian rules football, Soccer, Netball, Cricket, Basketball, Swimming, Athletics, Tennis, Hockey, Volleyball, Water polo | Swimming pool, Gym, Music centre, Boarding, Early learning centre, Australian rules football, Soccer, Cricket, Basketball, Rowing, Swimming, Tennis, Volleyball |
| Distance apart | About 8.1 km in a straight line | |
Facts from ACARA (2025) and each school’s own website.
Which suits whom
- Families wanting a co-educational school: A B Paterson College is co-ed.
- Families wanting a single-sex school for a son: The Southport School takes boys only.
- Families needing boarding: only The Southport School takes boarders.
- Families choosing by faith: A B Paterson College is Non-denominational (Christian ethos); The Southport School is Anglican.
- Location: A B Paterson College is in Arundel (Gold Coast - North); The Southport School is in Southport (Southport).
- Smaller ratio: The Southport School has fewer students per teacher (10.9 against 14.6, ACARA 2025).
- Listed by A B Paterson College but not The Southport School: Theatre / performing arts centre, Library, Netball, Athletics, Hockey and Water polo.
- Listed by The Southport School but not A B Paterson College: Swimming pool, Music centre, Boarding and Rowing.
History
A B Paterson College
A.B. Paterson College was founded in 1989 by a group of local business and community leaders who wanted an independent school grounded in strong values and an appreciation of Australian heritage. It is non-denominational with a Christian ethos and teaches Prep to Year 12 at Arundel.
Source: abpat.qld.edu.au
The Southport School
The Southport School was founded in 1901 by the Reverend Horace Dixon and has grown into a large Anglican school for boys, with a preschool and preparatory school as well as its senior campus at Southport.
Source: tss.qld.edu.au
Questions parents ask
What is the difference between A B Paterson College and The Southport School?
A B Paterson College is co-educational; The Southport School is a boys’ school. Both teach P-12. Only The Southport School takes boarders.
Is A B Paterson College or The Southport School co-ed?
A B Paterson College is co-educational and The Southport School is a boys’ school.
Which is bigger, A B Paterson College or The Southport School?
A B Paterson College is bigger: 1,652 students against 1,621 (ACARA 2025).
How many students per teacher do A B Paterson College and The Southport School have?
A B Paterson College has 14.6 students per teacher and The Southport School has 10.9 (ACARA My School 2025: total enrolments divided by full-time-equivalent teaching staff).
Which is older, A B Paterson College or The Southport School?
The Southport School is older. A B Paterson College was founded in 1989 and The Southport School in 1901.
Do A B Paterson College and The Southport School take boarders?
Only The Southport School takes boarders.
How far apart are A B Paterson College and The Southport School?
About 8.1 km in a straight line: A B Paterson College is in Arundel and The Southport School is in Southport.
How do A B Paterson College and The Southport School fees compare?
Each school publishes its own fee schedule. Members see both schedules year by year, the results each school reports and the total cost to Year 12. Always confirm current fees with the school.
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School profiles
Get the full picture: fees, ATAR results and cost to Year 12
Every year level’s fees from each school’s own schedule, the results each school publishes, and the total cost to Year 12, side by side.
Compare these schools in full →A$9.99 a year, cancel anytimeSecure payment by Stripe
Source and date
Enrolment, ICSEA, students per teacher and girls/boys: ACARA My School 2025. Other facts: each school’s website, checked 21 October 2026. Distance is a straight line between the schools’ map points, not travel distance. Check details with the schools before deciding. Methodology