Founded in 1979, Merrimac is a coeducational, non-selective, public school for students from 12 to 18 years of age.
The school has a current enrolment of close to 1300 students representing 44 nationalities with the largest groupings being Australian, then New Zealanders, followed by Chinese, English and Brazilian. Within the student population, which draws mostly from the surrounding neighbourhood, there are currently about 50 international students mainly from Asia, South America and Europe. A similar number of students are enrolled in special education classes.
The school is located in the geographical heart of the Gold Coast, close to beaches, public transport and shopping centres. The extensive 10.4 hectare site is well laid out with mature trees and gardens that offer outdoor eating areas and shaded meeting spaces. In addition to general classrooms the school also has a Library, Swimming Pool, Sport and Assembly Hall, Gymnasium, Tennis, Basketball and Netball Courts, Ovals, Performing Arts Theatre, Music rooms, Home Economics kitchen, Hospitality Centre, Dance Studio, Art rooms, Robotics laboratory, Canteen and Administration Centre.
