Supporting High-Ability Students

Schools and settings targeted to high-ability students

Many government schools offer within-school programs designed to support high-ability students enrolled at the school.

There are also a number of specialist settings that provide extension and enrichment opportunities for high-ability students in the sciences, mathematics, circus, performing arts and music, sports and physical activity.

The settings below have specific selection criteria, as outlined in the Specialism Schools and Programs policy.

Centre for Higher Education Studies

The Centre for Higher Education Studies (CHES) is a registered government school providing programs for high-achieving senior secondary students in Victorian government schools.

In partnership with Victorian universities, CHES offers students challenging opportunities to accelerate into university pathways and engage in several VCE subjects and Year 10 enrichment electives.

Students participate both on-site and remotely through a combination of hybrid online and in-person participation and flexible scheduling known as ‘Hy-Flex’.

For further information, visit Centre for Higher Education Studies.

Selective entry high schools

Victoria has four selective entry high schools that provide a specialist environment for academically high-achieving students in Years 9 to 12.

These schools are:

• The Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School (girls’ school)
• Melbourne High School (boys’ school)
• Nossal High School (co-educational)
• Suzanne Cory High School (co-educational).

A centralised selection process, including an entrance examination, is used to determine entry to the schools at Year 9. A small number of places may become available at Years 10 and 11, and entrance at these year levels is managed directly by the schools

Further information on the selective entry high schools is available at Selective entry high schools.

John Monash Science School

John Monash Science School (JMSS) is a specialist science school for students in Years 10-12, located on Monash University’s Clayton campus in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs.

Enrolment is managed directly by the school. For further information, visit John Monash Science School.

Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School

The Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School is a selective entry school for the education and training of talented dancers, musicians, theatre and visual art students in years 7 to 12.

Enrolment is managed directly by the school. For further information, visit Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School.

Elizabeth Blackburn Sciences

A campus of University High School, Elizabeth Blackburn Sciences is for students in Years 11 and 12 with an academic program focussed on the sciences and mathematics.

Enrolment is managed directly by the school. For further information, visit Elizabeth Blackburn Sciences – University High School.

Maribyrnong Sports Academy

The Maribyrnong Sports Academy is a selective entry program run by Maribyrnong College, providing a high-performance environment for athletes in Years 7 to 12 across a range of sports.

Enrolment is managed directly by the school. For further information, visit Maribyrnong Sports Academy.

Flying Fruit Fly Circus

A specialist campus supporting educational opportunities for students aged 8 and over with high-ability in the physical and creative domains, with academic and pastoral care provided by Wodonga Middle Years College and Wodonga Secondary Senior College. The purpose-built circus facility is a campus of Wodonga Middle Years College.

Enrolment is managed directly by the school. For further information, visit Fruit Fly Circus.