Aquinas College vs Josiah College
Aquinas College (Ashmore) is a catholic school and Josiah College (Carrara) is a independent school. Both are co-educational. Aquinas College teaches 7-12 and Josiah College teaches P-12. Aquinas College has 805 students and Josiah College has 102 (ACARA 2025). They are about 4.5 km apart in a straight line.
Photos: Aquinas College (school website) · Josiah College (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 | Aquinas College | Josiah College |
|---|---|---|
| Suburb | Ashmore | Carrara |
| Region | Southport | Nerang |
| Sector | Catholic | Independent |
| Students | Co-ed | Co-ed |
| Year levels | 7-12 | P-12 |
| Religion | Catholic | Christian (multi-denominational) |
| Boarding | No | No |
| Senior years | QCE | QCE (applied and vocational courses) |
| Facilities and sport (school site) | Gym, Library, Australian rules football, Soccer, Netball, Basketball, Swimming, Athletics, Tennis, Volleyball | Swimming |
| Distance apart | About 4.5 km in a straight line | |
Facts from ACARA (2025) and each school’s own website.
Which suits whom
- Families choosing by faith: Aquinas College is Catholic; Josiah College is Christian (multi-denominational).
- Location: Aquinas College is in Ashmore (Southport); Josiah College is in Carrara (Nerang).
- Size: Aquinas College is the larger school, with 703 more students.
- Smaller ratio: Josiah College has fewer students per teacher (7.7 against 12.8, ACARA 2025).
- Listed by Aquinas College but not Josiah College: Gym, Library, Australian rules football, Soccer, Netball, Basketball, Athletics, Tennis and Volleyball.
History
Aquinas College
Aquinas College traces its roots to 1901, when the Sisters of Mercy opened Star of the Sea College at Southport. The Christian Brothers opened Aquinas as a boys’ college in 1964.
Source: aquinas.qld.edu.au
Josiah College
Josiah College is a multi-denominational Christian school for students on the autism spectrum, from Prep to Year 12. Classes have no more than 10 students, with a teacher and a full-time educational assistant in each.
Source: josiah.qld.edu.au
Questions parents ask
What is the difference between Aquinas College and Josiah College?
Both are co-educational. Aquinas College teaches 7-12 and Josiah College teaches P-12. Aquinas College has 805 students and Josiah College has 102 (ACARA 2025).
Is Aquinas College or Josiah College co-ed?
Both are co-educational.
Which is bigger, Aquinas College or Josiah College?
Aquinas College is bigger: 805 students against 102 (ACARA 2025).
How many students per teacher do Aquinas College and Josiah College have?
Aquinas College has 12.8 students per teacher and Josiah College has 7.7 (ACARA My School 2025: total enrolments divided by full-time-equivalent teaching staff).
Do Aquinas College and Josiah College take boarders?
Neither takes boarders.
How far apart are Aquinas College and Josiah College?
About 4.5 km in a straight line: Aquinas College is in Ashmore and Josiah College is in Carrara.
How do Aquinas College and Josiah College 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