FULL LIST: The Gold Coast’s most improved OP schools outpace Queensland rankings

An analysis of QCAA data over the past decade reveals some Gold Coast schools are outpacing the rest. How does your local school rate?

GOLD COAST public schools have proven to be the city’s fastest learners, topping the region as the most improved when it comes to OP results.

An analysis of Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) data over the past decade reveals that on average Gold Coast state schools have boosted their number of top tier performers by 13.7 per cent, compared to a 2.3 per cent rate of improvement for private schools.

Top tier performers are considered to be eligible student students who achieved an OP (Overall Position) between 1 and 5.

The most improved school on the Gold Coast is Benowa State High School, which improved its percentage of top achieving students by 52.7 per cent.

HOW GOLD COAST PUBLIC SCHOOLS BEAT THE STATE’S ELITE

Jasmine Richards, Sophia Mepham and Zung Dang with Senior School Principal Ben Weeks at Southport State School. Picture: Tertius Pickard

In 2009, 20 per cent of the school’s OP eligible students received an OP of 1 to 5, last year the rate of success grew to 72.7 per cent.

Benowa State High School had the highest percentage of high achievers in the state in 2019.

Tamborine Mountain State High School was the second most improved school on the Gold Coast boosting its success from 18.5 per cent to 55.2.

Southport State High School was the third most improved with a jump from 4.5 per cent to 38.5.

Trinity Lutheran College was the fourth most improved on the Gold Coast and the only private school in the top five.

Students at the Ashmore school more than doubled their rate of top tier OP students with a jump from 12 per cent in 2009 to 38.1 per cent last year.

Southport State High School graduate Zung Dang said his success as an OP 3 student was thanks to the passion of his teachers.

COAST STUDENTS AMONG THE STATE’S SMARTEST

Zung Dang, Jasmine Richards, Ben Weeks and Sophia Mepham at Southport State School. Picture: Tertius Pickard

WHAT THIS OP1 STUDENT PLANS TO STUDY

About to start his engineering degree at QUT next week, Mr Dang hopes to eventually work in aerospace and space exploration.

“Hell yeah, space is the goal,” Mr Dang said.

“I am happy with my results and when it comes down to it don’t think it matters if it is a private or a public school. I think it is the teaching staff.”

Juggling medical complications and a leadership role in his final year of school, Mr Dang said he was lucky to have teachers who focused on his success.

“I was fortunate enough to have very supportive and amazing teachers help me though the process., sit down and do revision with me the day before the test,” Mr Dang said.

“I think it is that focus on our individual education that has improved the school's OP results.”

“My school was very supportive and explored every option to elevate students.”