Additional guidance on specialism schools and programs, including a full list of specialism settings, and guidance on the establishment and modification of special entry criteria at specialism settings, will be available in 2025.
Policy
The purpose of this policy is to outline the various types of Victorian government specialism schools and programs available to students.
Summary
- Specialism schools and programs focus on a specialist subject or activity and have special entry criteria.
- Specialism schools and programs must ensure that special entry criteria for enrolment or attendance are consistently applied when selecting students.
- There are a broad range of specialism schools and programs – refer to each school’s website for specific enrolment criteria.
Details
Specialism schools and programs focus on a specialist subject or activity and have special entry criteria that students must satisfy to be considered for enrolment or participation in the school or program.
Special entry criteria must be approved by the Deputy Secretary of Schools and Regional Services or the regional director, as authorised delegates of the Minister for Education (Education and Training Reform Act 2006, s2.2.16).
Specialism schools (and programs) must ensure that special entry criteria for enrolment or attendance are consistently applied when selecting students.
Centre for Higher Education Studies
Centre for Higher Education Studies (CHES) provides high-achieving and high-ability senior-secondary aged students with stretch and challenge opportunities through partnerships with universities. The centre supports students to gain a head start on their tertiary pathways or undertake specialised VCE subjects, including virtual learning for rural and regional students. Further information on course entry is available via the CHES website. Visit: Centre for Higher Education .
Virtual School Victoria
Provides tuition from Prep to Year 12 for students who cannot access regular schools. Visit: Virtual School .
English language schools and centres
The English language schools and centres, and the Virtual New Arrivals Program (VNAP), provide intensive English language instruction for newly arrived students for whom English is an additional language.
Refer to: EAL – Provision for Newly Arrived Students.
Flying Fruit Fly Circus School
Supports circus and performing arts and produces quality circus performers and requires a satisfactory completion of the selection process. Visit: Flying Fruit Fly Circus .
John Monash Science School
Provides specialist studies in sciences, mathematics and associated technologies. The school has a selective entry process for Years 10 to 12 students. Visit: John Monash Science .
Maribyrnong Sports Academy
Supports aspiring young athletes balance their academic and sporting endeavours. Visit: Maribyrnong Sports .
Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School
Prepares students for a career in performing arts of music and dance. The school conducts auditions to determine eligibility. Visit: Victorian College of the Arts Secondary .
Victorian School of Languages (VSL)
Provides language classes in:
- over 40 languages through centres
- 10 languages through distance education.
Access is open to all students wishing to study a language not offered at their regular school, subject to the availability of places:
- in each class
- at particular centres.
Distance education information is also available on request from the principal of the VSL. Visit: Victorian School of Languages .
Related policies
Relevant legislation
Contact
For queries about individual specialism schools or program, schools may contact the individual school or the relevant Area Executive Director in the applicable regional office. Refer to Office for contact details for each regional office.
For general queries or feedback about this policy please contact the Designated Purpose Settings Unit, Statewide Programs and Technical Schools Division on:
Phone: 03 7022 1521
Email: dps@education.vic.gov.au
Reviewed 19 February 2025