Students with exceptional academic ability in the Great Southern will benefit from a new Gifted and Talented program at Albany Senior High School.
Students entering Year 7 in 2022 can apply for a place in the new program when applications for Gifted and Talented secondary selective entrance programs open later this year.
The first intake will see up to 32 selected Year 7 students join the program in 2022 before it expands to other year groups.
More than $250,000 will be provided for initial funding with a further $350,000 per year once the program is fully up and running with students from Years 7 to 12.
Students who live outside of Albany will be able to board at Albany Residential College.
The school currently has an online Gifted and Talented program for students. It becomes the second school in regional Western Australia to offer a Gifted and Talented program, joining Bunbury Senior High School.
Albany Senior High School has more than 1,000 students and has a long tradition of excellence in public education with an award-winning marine science program as well as a strong music and sports programs and community partnerships.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"Every Western Australian student should have the opportunity to thrive and have access to a comprehensive education no matter where they live.
"By introducing this new program, students with exceptional academic ability from Albany will now be able to reach their potential face-to-face with their teachers."
As stated by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:
"I'm pleased that we can provide talented students in Albany with greater opportunities to thrive in their home town and in nearby towns.
"The program will complement the school's strong track record with excellence in education and will benefit students for many years to come."
As stated by Albany MLA Peter Watson:
"It's crucial that we give local students all the support they need to reach their full potential.
"This is a fantastic opportunity for students in Albany and another example of the McGowan Government's strong investment in schools in the Great Southern region."
