SEAL schools being outperformed by regular public high schools

SEAL programs boast high marks from gifted pupils, but these public schools are giving them a run for their money. How does your school compare?

Schools offering exclusive programs for gifted students are being outperformed by regular secondary colleges across the state, the Herald Sun can reveal.

In some cases, local state high schools delivered median study scores that were up to four points higher than schools that offered specialist acceleration programs.

Analysis of the 2021 VCE data shows almost half of the state’s 46 Select Entry Accelerated Learning (SEAL) schools delivered lower study scores than the nearby local high school.

The median study score for Victorian SEAL schools sits at 28.

Average scores at Dromana Secondary College are competing with SEAL schools.

The Academy of Accredited SEAL Schools (TAASS) reports the alliance is designed for gifted students to be surrounded with like minded pupils during their education so they can excel academically and socially.

But figures show most regular colleges recorded study scores that were on average two points higher than their select entry counterparts.

McKinnon Secondary College’s average score sits at 32, while nearby SEAL school Brighton Secondary College reported a 29 study score average.

Meanwhile, Lalor Secondary College finished with an average score of 28, four points higher than Mill Park Secondary College’s 24 study score average.

SEAL schools Balwyn, Box Hill and Williamstown High Schools delivered the highest average study score of 32 out of all the schools that offered the specialist program in 2021, but their median results were on par with the closest regular secondary school.

A five minute’s drive from Balwyn, Mont Albert’s Koonung Secondary College also averaged a 32 study score last year.

Altona College also delivered a median study score of 31.

In regional Victoria, nine SEAL schools were outperformed by regular secondary schools.

Oberon High School in Armstrong Creek, near Geelong, averaged a 30 median study score while SEAL Bellarine Secondary College reported a 27 median score.

SEAL school Rosebud Secondary College delivered a 28 average study score while neighbouring Dromana Secondary College averaged a 31 median score.

The specialist program is a streamlined approach to education for gifted students, teaching years 7, 8, 9 and 10 in three years, giving students more flexibility by the time they enter their VCE years.

Students obtain a place in the programs after sitting a general aptitude test. Primary teacher evaluations, parent questionnaires and interviews are also taken into account.

Search the list below to see how each school stacks up.

Results at McKinnon Secondary College are on par with Victorian schools with selective programs. Picture: Nicole Cleary

FULL LIST OF SEAL SCHOOLS

METRO

• Albert Park College

• Auburn High

• Balwyn High

• Bayswater Secondary College

• Box Hill High

• Brighton Secondary College

• Brunswick Secondary College

• Canterbury Girls’ Secondary College

• Dandenong High

• Emerald Secondary College

• Fairhills High School

• Footscray High

• Gladstone Park Secondary College

• Glen Eira Secondary College

• Gleneagles Secondary College

• Kambrya College

• Keilor Downs Secondary College

• Lyndale Secondary College

• Mill Park Secondary College

• Mordialloc College

• Mount Erin Secondary College

• Pascoe Vale Girls’ College

• Reservoir High

• Springside West Secondary College

• Staughton College

• St Albans Secondary College

• University High

• Victoria University Secondary College

• Werribee Secondary College

• Williamstown High

REGIONAL

• Bellarine Secondary College

• Belmont High

• Chaffey Secondary College

• Horsham College

• Lilydale High

• Matthew Flinders Girls’ Secondary College

• McGuire College

• Mount Clear College

• Rosebud College

• Sale College

• Trafalgar High

• Wangaratta High

• Warrnambool College

• Wonthaggi Secondary College

Source: The Academy of SEAL Accredited Schools