English, German and specialty schools’ rapid rise in education
Schools in Melbourne are growing rapidly and it’s no different in the inner city, with some enrolments rising more than 200 per cent in five years. See which schools are the most popular.
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The inner Melbourne schools with a booming student population have been revealed.
Federal Government data shows St Joseph’s Flexible Learning Centre enrolments increased 218.8 per cent between 2013 and 2018, more than any other school in the area.
St Joseph’s principal Chloe Hand said they attributed the growth to being a new school and offering a unique environment.
The school, which opened in 2012, is for disadvantaged and disengaged youths and provides free education, meals and a Myki ticket to all students.
Ms Hand said the school had students enrol independently but also received referrals from various external services, government agencies and schools.
“At our school young people can participate in music, art, wood work, cooking, make up, skateboarding, aerosol art, basketball, music — you name it. The options change every year in response to young person voice,” she said.
Ms Hand said the biggest problem so far had been finding enough space to keep up with demand and had recently opened a 100-person campus in Geelong.
“We are always growing and changing so that we can meet the needs of an ever changing group of young people and this may include more campuses if a community welcomes and invites us to be part of the way that they support young people,” Ms Hand said.
The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority figures are the most up to date enrolment numbers that include all state and private schools nationally.
According to the latest public data that includes public and private schools, St Joseph’s student numbers have grown from 117 to 373.
The second fastest growing school was Ozford College, where the student body increased by 116.1 to 121 students.
Deutsche Schule Melbourne had the third biggest enrolment change in the area, a 109.4 per cent increase to 111 students.
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