Approved Specialist Programs

Approved Specialist Programs

There are more than 100 Approved Specialist Programs at 56 schools across Western Australia.

Sports, arts, academic and applied Approved Specialist Programs give children real-world skills and a head start in reaching their career goals.

Many programs are linked to sporting and industry bodies and training organisations, allowing children to gain industry recognised qualifications. Teachers and coaches are adept at recognising and developing children’s skills in their areas of interest.

Children can select pathways that prepare them for full-time employment or trades, or future study at training organisations or university.

From aviation to music and from engineering to cricket, the programs are challenging and exciting. Graduates have gone on to become professional athletes, pilots, cinematographers, fashion designers, marine biologists, sports coaches and more.

View the full list of Approved Specialist Programs and the schools that offer them below.

There are a number of programs including information and communication technology (ICT), agriculture, aviation, marine studies, environmental life studies and hospitality to name just a few.

Many programs include workplace learning which will allow your children to achieve nationally accredited qualifications which can be used in the workplace, in a trade or for further study.

Programs are enriched and endorsed by leading organisations creating essential links to the workforce and tertiary education.

List of programs available:

Program School
Advanced curriculum enrichment
This program promotes higher level thinking skills and academic achievement in English, mathematics, society and environment and science.
Ballajura Community College
Advanced technology and design
This program enables children to develop their academic skills and demonstrate their creativity by teaching them to design and create industry standard products.
Warnbro Community High School
Agriculture
The agriculture program provides children with an in-depth background in farming and agricultural science.

Kelmscott Senior High School

Kiara College

Aviation
The aviation program teaches children skills including engineering, learning to fly and the skills needed to enter the aviation industry.

Greenwood College

Kent Street Senior High School

Melville Senior High School

Morley Senior High School

Engineering
Children gain the knowledge and skills to develop and design electrical machines, products and systems.

Governor Stirling Senior High School

Newton Moore Senior High School

Enriched mathematics, information technology and science (EMiTS)
EMiTS is an academic based program specialising in science and mathematics and is designed for children with above average ability in these areas. The program aims to build children’s knowledge and prepare them for further studies at university.
Como Secondary College
Environmental life sciences
Children combine hands on experiences with academic learning, teaching them to become the environmental advocates, scientists and politicians of the future.
Lynwood Senior High School
Health and medical program
Children with an interest in the health profession are given a realistic picture of what it is like to work in the industry. They have the opportunity to study mathematics, science and health subjects with a medical focus.
Manea Senior College
Information and communication technology
This program gives children access to the latest technology, methods, content delivery and opportunities to explore this exciting fast paced industry.

Armadale Senior High School

Ashdale Secondary College

Fremantle College

Hampton Senior High School

Japanese program
Children expand their knowledge, skills and understanding of the Japanese language and culture in this program.
Leeming Senior High School
LEAP (Lesmurdie extension and acceleration (science and mathematics))
LEAP provides academic and practical extension in science and mathematics, including problem solving, model making and field work.
Lesmurdie Senior High School
Marine studies
Children combine theoretical and practical programs in marine studies including oceanography, navigation, marine biology and sustainability, as well as giving children the opportunity to obtain scuba qualifications.

Fremantle College

Ocean Reef Senior High School

Maritime studies
Children develop an understanding of the maritime environment with study including aquatics, snorkelling, boating and kayaking.
Rockingham Senior High School
Mathematics program
Children who have an exceptional aptitude in mathematics will thrive in this program.
Rossmoyne Senior High School
Mathematics and philosophy
This program embeds philosophical concepts in the context of a structured lower school mathematics program.
Australind Senior High School
Mining alliance program
Children gain the skills and experience to work in the mining industry before continuing their studies in an apprenticeship or at university.
Newman Senior High School
Science and technology program
Children in this program become members of the Science and Technology Academy, providing them with opportunities to participate in programs, competitions and research projects.
Leeming Senior High School
Science horizons
This academic based program provides extensions in science and mathematics. It is for children with above average abilities in these areas who are encouraged to think ‘outside the box’.
Newton Moore Senior High School
Surf science
This program extends children’s knowledge in the areas of mathematics and science. The program is for children with above average ability in these areas. There is a strong focus on preparing children for further study.
John Tonkin College

There is a huge selection of Approved Specialist Arts Programs to exercise your children’s talents and stretch their individuality and creative boundaries.

Imagine your child being a world-class fashion designer or a renowned television producer! Or perhaps music, broadcasting, visual and performing arts or photography might hold the key for success.

The learning environment provides outstanding facilities. Classes can include workshops, studio work, competitions, enrichment opportunities and mentoring sessions by visiting professionals who provide real insight into the life of the artistic professional.

List of subjects available:

Program School
Arts media
Children who enjoy working with, and want to develop, their film, multimedia, visual arts and animation skills will thrive in this program. It integrates visual arts and media into a practical focus, using digital tools and computer technology.
Governor Stirling Senior High School
Contemporary drama - arts
Contemporary drama introduces children to the practical world of theatre, including acting, stage management and production design.
Belmont City College

Classical music
This program is for children who are currently learning a musical instrument and wish to continue to develop their skills and learn composition, arrangement and production.

Rossmoyne Senior High School
Contemporary music
This program is for children who play a musical instrument and wish to develop their performance skills (solo and ensemble).

Como Secondary College

Fremantle College

Ocean Reef Senior High School

Creative arts
Children explore 2 types of creative arts: studio work (media, multimedia and visual arts) and performance (dance, drama and music).
Warnbro Community High School
Dance
The dance program gives children the freedom to express and learn dance forms and techniques. Children develop skills in contemporary dance, choreography, improvisation, jazz and classical dance.
Balcatta Senior High School
Digital film and technology
This program offers an in-depth study of the theoretical and practical world of film and television such as cinematography, editing, writing for screen and acting for screen.
Roleystone Community College
Drama
Children are provided with an outline of all elements of theatre including acting and production design.
Swan View Senior High School
Fashion design
Children have the opportunity to develop their knowledge, skills and creativity in fashion, as well as apply and link these skills to practical applications.

Belridge Secondary College

Kent Street Senior High School

Geographe Bay Music
This program is for children who are currently learning a musical instrument and wish to continue to develop their skills and learn composition, arrangement and production.
Busselton Senior High School
Graphic design media
This program develops children’s knowledge, skills and creativity in design through the use of state-of-the-art computer software programs and practical applications to tackle real-life situations.
Melville Senior High School
Instrumental music and voice
This program provides opportunities for both ongoing and beginner instrumental or voice students to develop their skills to a high level in the areas of performance, theory, composition and music literature.
Ellenbrook Secondary College
Jazz music
The jazz music program develops children’s appreciation of jazz music at a high level.

Australind Senior High School

Mount Lawley Senior High School

Media Arts Design Academy
Children engage in drawing, digital photography, multimedia design and television production.
Morley Senior High School
Music
This program is for children who are currently learning a musical instrument and wish to continue to develop their skills and learn composition, arrangement and production.

Canning Vale College

Eastern Hills Senior High School

John Forrest Secondary College

Kelmscott Senior High School

Woodvale Secondary College

Music technology
This program aims to create the recording artists and music industry professionals of the future. It teaches students all aspects of the modern music industry including theory and analysis, performance, recording, sound editing and sound design for film and music.
Lakeland Senior High School
Performing arts
This program provides children with the opportunity to develop skills and creativity in dance, drama and music.

Cecil Andrews College

Hampton Senior High School

Wanneroo Secondary College

Special arts program
This collaborative and integrated arts program includes music, dance, drama and visual arts.
Hedland Senior High School
Visual arts
This comprehensive program allows children to learn a range of visual arts styles including drawing, painting and graphic design.

Armadale Senior High School

Bunbury Senior High School

Visual and performing arts
This program teaches a broad array of visual and performing arts including drama, music and visual arts.
Mount Lawley Senior High School

If your child is ready to take up the challenge of sports, they will get more than just physical activity.

Our Approved Specialist Sports Programs develop character, teach technical skills and self-discipline, and nurture a love of sport.

When your child graduates, they will have the opportunity and skills to pursue a career in sports science, physiotherapy, coaching, teaching, human movement, exercise science and, with determination and commitment, become a professional athlete.

These programs enable children to compete at the highest levels and develop their skills as athletes both on the field and in the classroom. In addition, they can choose to complete nationally recognised qualifications, such as umpiring, first aid, sports medicine and sports strategy.

And just to show how serious we are about developing young athletes, all programs have strong links to, or are endorsed by, peak sporting bodies.

List of subjects available:

Program School
Adventure recreation program
This program uses the great Australian outdoors as its classroom. Children develop leadership and self-esteem while also fostering an awareness of environmental issues.
Warnbro Community High School
Outdoor adventure program
Children are given the skills and knowledge to participate in a wide range of outdoor activities. It is for children who have a strong interest in physical activity and learning about our unique environment.
Kalamunda Senior High School
Bunbury Elite Sports Training (BEST) program
BEST targets athletic conditioning and performance for a range of sporting fields, by applying sports science. As well as physical development, the program offers an understanding of nutrition, injury management, play strategies, sports psychology and coaching.
Bunbury Senior High School
Individual sports programs

These individual sports programs not only teach children to play the chosen sport to the best of their ability, but also game strategy, umpiring, coaching, fitness, event and team management and sports first aid.

Program School
Australian rules football

Cecil Andrews College

Comet Bay College

Darling Range Sports College

Governor Stirling Senior High School

Wanneroo Secondary College

Warwick Senior High School

Baseball

Darling Range Sports College

Basketball

Denmark Senior High School

Kiara College

Rockingham Senior High School

Willetton Senior High School

Woodvale Secondary College

Cheer dance

Hampton Senior High School

Safety Bay Senior High School

Cricket

Belridge Secondary College

Dalyellup College

John Forrest Secondary College

Kent Street Senior High School

Golf Como Secondary College
Hockey Como Secondary College
Netball

Darling Range Sports College

John Forrest Secondary College

Melville Senior High School

Rockingham Senior High School

Warwick Senior High School

Rugby Thornlie Senior High School
Soccer

Darling Range Sports College

John Curtin College of the Arts

Lynwood Senior High School

Safety Bay Senior High School

Woodvale Secondary College

Surfing Margaret River Senior High School
Swimming Darling Range Sports College
Tennis

Applecross Senior High School

John Forrest Secondary College

Touch rugby Lakeland Senior High School
Triathlon Duncraig Senior High School
Volleyball

Greenwood College

Rossmoyne Senior High School

Children may apply for these programs no matter where they live in the state.

Selection into a program does not guarantee a place at the school if the child lives outside the local area.

All schools guarantee places for children in their local intake areas as the first priority. After taking local enrolments, a school may then take enrolments from children selected for Approved Specialist Programs who live outside the local area if the school has capacity.

To find out more about the programs that interest your child, including when applications open and entry processes, please contact the relevant school or check the school website for more information.

How to apply

Applications are made directly to schools. As every program is unique, application processes and closing dates vary.