Specialist Schools - Independent

Independent Special Schools

Many teachers in independent schools are trained to use teaching and learning strategies to help students experiencing learning difficulties. The students are monitored individually.

Specialist teachers and integration aides work closely with class teachers and parents assisting more than 1,300 students with disabilities attending independent schools in Victoria. Since 1995, the number of students eligible for state support services because of disabilities has increased by 250 per cent, but Australian and Victorian Government financial support for independent schools with students iwith disability is very limited and schools must draw on their own resources.

Some Australian Independent Schools Victoria (AISV) members cater for students with language disorders, learning difficulties, social and emotional disorders, autism and intellectual disabilities and severe to profound hearing loss.

Victorian Independent Special Schools

Berengarra School (Secondary)
A co-educational school for students with social and emotional difficulties.

43 Harrison Street 
Box Hill North VIC 3129
Principal:  Mr Peter Hefferenan
Phone:  (03) 9898 9167 
Website:  www.berengarra.vic.edu.au

Frank Dando Sports Academy (Primary and Secondary)
The School aims to enroll intellectually able boys with poor self-images and by intensive physical education to raise their self-mage after which they return to mainstream schools.

33 Raymond Street
Ashwood 3147
Principal:  Mr Ziad Zakharia
Phone:  (03)  9807 0508
Website:  www.frankdando.com.au

Kamaruka (Years 5 – 10)
A non-denominational boys’ school with an intervention program to address social/emotional problems as well as academic and behavioural problems often exhibited by students with ADHD.

6 Prince Patrick Street
Richmond East  3121
Principal:  Mr Alfonso Scibilia
Phone:  (03) 9429 0564
Website:  www.kamaruka.vic.edu.au

Mansfield Autism State Wide Services (Primary and Secondary)
A small rural residential school that provides intensive programs in independence, communication, behaviour management for students with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.

81 Highett Street
Mansfield 3722
Principal:  Ms Jennifer Cleeland
Phone:  (03)  5775 2876
Website:  www.autismmansfield.org.au

Rossbourne School (Secondary)
An independent, co-educational nondenominational school for secondary students with identifiable learning disorders.

131 Power Street
Hawthorn 3122
Principal:  Mr Linden Hearn
Phone:     (03) 9819 4611
Website:  www.rossbourne.vic.edu.au