[3] St Columba's Primary School for girls was opened in 1876 by the Sisters of Mercy (a Catholic order).

Later these schools were operated by the Sisters of the Good Samaritan (another Catholic order).

On 14 April 1902 the Christian Brothers (also a Catholic order) opened Mount Carmel College for boys.

[5] The Presbyterian and Methodist Churches opened Thornburgh College as a boys boarding school on 1 June 1919.

In 1921 St Gabriel’s School for girls was established by the Sisters of the Sacred Advent (also an Anglican order).

[13] Mount Carmel campus of Columba Catholic College is a Catholic secondary (7–12) school for boys and girls at 6–8 Hackett Terrace (20°03′41″S 146°16′22″E / 20.0614°S 146.2728°E / -20.0614; 146.2728 (Columba Catholic College))[11][15] The college's primary school (St Mary's campus) is at 59-69 Mary Street in Charters Towers City.