We welcome your enrolment enquiry.
We welcome your enrolment enquiry. To streamline the process, please complete this online form.
Ballarat Specialist School provides educational programs for students aged from 5 and 18 years who have a diagnosed intellectual disability ranging from mild to profound. Every enrolment must be approved by the Department of Education on the basis of intellectual disability. To be eligible for enrolment, students must provide the following evidence:
- A cognitive assessment by a registered psychologist with a full-scale IQ score of 70 or below, that states that the student has an ongoing intellectual disability, not more than two years old.
- A Vineland composite score of 70 or below (usually included in the cognitive assessment), not more than one year old.
The Department of Education is able to refer students for a cognitive assessment. Please contact the school prior to organising a private assessment.
We find that the best way to get a feel of our school and to determine whether it is right for your child’s educational and developmental needs is through a visit to the school. We would be very happy to arrange a tour and to address any questions that you have about the school and its programs.
When eligibility criterion has been successfully met, then formal enrolment processes will commence and an official enrolment pack, including enrolment form, will be provided to the family for completion.
On receiving an enrolment offer, the intended commencement date will be at the start of the next Victorian school semester (unless transferring from another Victorian Specialist School) or when a suitable vacancy occurs at the discretion of the Principal.
When the student has been placed, the BSS team will conduct a Student Support Group meeting (SSG) with Parents/Guardians to establish short term goals and facilitate the creation of an Individual Education Plan (IEP). The SSG will determine any further need for allied health support or any further information about their child’s needs and/or specific health requirements in accordance with DE and BSS guidelines.
Our Early Learning Centre (three- and four-year-old kindergarten) is open to all students, regardless of disability. For more information, please see our ELC page.
Our school zone is available on findmyschool.vic.gov.au which hosts the most up-to-date information on school zones in Victoria.
