Creative and performing arts high schools
Supporting students with high potential and giftedness in the creative and performing arts.
What are creative and performing arts high schools?
These are specialist schools for students with high potential and giftedness in the creative and performing arts.
They support students to excel in creative fields – like dance, music, drama, visual and creative arts, and circus arts – while also studying the core curriculum.
Students benefit from:
- flexible education programs that support their creative activities
- specialist teachers
- performance and art spaces.
List of creative and performing arts high schools
Note that Hunter School of the Performing Arts is for students from Years 3 to 12.
| School | Street and email address | Specialist subjects | Phone no. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campbelltown Performing Arts High School | 90 Beverley Road |
|
4625 1403 |
| Conservatorium High School | Conservatorium Road |
|
9351 1350 |
| Dulwich High School of Visual Arts and Design | Seaview Street |
|
9560 7299 |
| Granville South Creative and Performing Arts High School | 53 Rowley Road |
|
9892 2654 |
| Hunter School of the Performing Arts* * For students from Years 3 to 12. |
109 Lambton Road |
|
4952 3355 |
| Ku-ring-gai Creative Arts High School | 403 Bobbin Head Road |
|
9144 3477 |
| Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School | 115-119 Great Western Highway |
|
4728 7200 |
| Newtown High School of the Performing Arts | King Street, |
|
9519 1544 |
| Northmead Creative and Performing Arts High School | 28 Campbell Street |
|
9630 4116 |
| Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts | Lysaght Street |
|
4229 6844 |
How do I apply?
Parents and carers should visit the school's website (linked above) to learn about their individual application process, audition requirements and deadlines. Each school has an individual enrolment process that should be accessed through their website.
The best education money can't buy
Across the creative industries, our Creative and Performing Arts High School graduates are excelling. From acclaimed actors, dancers, and musicians to leading artistic and creative directors. Imagine where a Creative and Performing Arts High School can take you.
High potential and gifted education
Watch the video below (or read the transcript) to learn more about how we support high potential and gifted students in all NSW public schools.
Video – What do we mean by high potential and gifted students? (duration 2:30)
[Female narrator]
The High Potential and Gifted Education Policy applies to all NSW Department of Education school staff and teachers.
The department is committed to supporting all students to achieve their educational potential.
The policy recognises that high potential and gifted students require support to optimise their growth and achievement.
So what do we mean by high potential and gifted?
Professor Françoys Gagné suggests that potential exists along a continuum, where given optimal conditions, high potential can lead to high performance and achievement.
Gagné outlines that students may exhibit potential in one or more domains including intellectual, creative, social-emotional, and physical.
High potential and gifted students are found across diverse family, socio-economic, language, cultural backgrounds and different geographic locations.
So what's the difference between high potential and gifted, or even highly gifted students? Well?
High potential students are those whose potential exceeds that of students of the same age They may benefit from an enriched or extended curriculum and learning opportunities beyond the typical level of their age peers.
Gifted students are those whose potential significantly exceeds that of students of the same age. They typically develop talent and achieve mastery notably faster than their age peers.
Highly gifted students are those whose potential vastly exceeds that of their age peers. Highly gifted students may require specific and significant curriculum adjustments to meet their learning and wellbeing needs.
When teachers and school leaders recognise high potential, providing optimal learning conditions will make a difference in supporting the development of talent.
So let's – find the potential, develop the talent, make the difference.
[End of transcript]