Miami State High School
History of the School
Miami State High School, a proud Independent State High School, located only a block away from the Gold Coasts’ iconic beachfront has a strong tradition steeped in its 53 year history.
The school continues to embrace their rich education and cultural heritage every day through its innovative learning initiatives for both domestic and international students.
With a rich history of academic achievement, the school provides outstanding opportunities for performing arts and offers numerous sports to choose from as a subject or co-curricular program. Miami State High provides cutting edge learning for students in Years 7 - 12. This is achieved by a supportive network, innovative and caring teachers and an environment of creativity with learning opportunities that develop young people of character.
Few would argue Miami’s most iconic landmark is our school’s ‘Hollywood-style’ sign, the 1979 brainchild of former principal, William Callinan OAM. The vibrant yellow letters are now heritage-listed, considered 'historically significant in demonstrating the important fun and fantasy phase of development on the Gold Coast.’
Curriculum
Miami State High School offers a wide and varied selection of subjects to suit most students.
The school also has a learning support program and an excellence program.
Miami has also been the first school to offer Aerospace Studies on the Gold Coast for the past 10 years. Through its subjects and industry partners, the school has strong vocational pathways with industry groups giving students the opportunity to gain practical traineeships while still completing their schooling.
Co-curricular
As the first venue on the Gold Coast that could seat more than 1000 people, Miami High’s now school hall, ‘Great Hall’ played host to some of this nation’s most successful rock bands, such as AC/DC, Sherbet, and Skyhooks, along with British soul sensation Hot Chocolate. Our commitment to music and creative arts education is rooted in these hip beginnings.
The school has an outstanding music program with many opportunities with symphonic band, strings, percussion and vocal.
Our Annual Surf Competition is further evidence learning can be fun, and relevant to student’s interests. Miami High has embraced the region’s love of hitting the waves, hosting the longest running school surfing competition on the Gold Coast. Our past students include Wayne Rabbit Bartholomew, Dean Morrison and past world body board champion, Mitch Rawlins.
International Students
Miami State High also offers exciting opportunities for international students, keen to improve their English language skills, in a fun and stimulating environment. The school’s reputation for excellence already attracts up to 50 international students’ from 12 countries every year, including Germany, Brazil, Italy, Mexico, Finland, Norway, China and Japan.
Sports Excellence Program
The Miami High PE Excellence Program provides opportunities and experiences for like-minded and motivated students within the school community. High achieving sport specific students are tracked and supported in their chosen sports and competitions, while providing them with additional experiences and knowledge to improve performance. Throughout the three year program, students will be engaged in challenging and fun learning experiences while developing a positive attitude towards lifelong health fitness. The content covered is varied and dynamic from fitness, dance, soccer, basketball, surfing, specialised tennis, netball, self defence, athletics, diving and snorkelling, volleyball and aquatics.
Miami is also the first public school to offer Rugby 7s as a subject in 2016.