[6] The school is located in the land of the Kombumerri people, within the wider Bujalung language nation, recognising Ngarahngwal and Yugambeh.

[8] It started a French Immersion program in 1985 and was the first school to offer Marine Biology as a subject in the Queensland curriculum.

The STEM program at Benowa aims for students to excel in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Each and every STEM student receives extra lessons in those categories and various opportunities including 3D printing, Rocket Launching, Coding, and more.

The school also has an athletics-inclined stream called "Sports Excellence", which is aimed at Year 7, 8 and 9 students who wish to pursue a career in athletics.

[11][12][13] The school is included within the Gold Coast Branch of the "Modern Language Teachers Association of Queensland".