Creative and performing arts high schools

Supporting students with high potential and giftedness in the creative and performing arts.

Newtown High School of Performing students production of Legally Blonde Newtown High School of Performing students production of Legally Blonde
Image: Newtown High School of the Performing Arts student production of Legally Blonde

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.

Creative and Performing Arts High Schools
School Street and email address Specialist subjects Phone no.
Campbelltown Performing Arts High School

90 Beverley Road
Campbelltown NSW 2560

campbellto-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

  • Creative Arts
  • Dance
  • Drama
  • Music
  • Circus
4625 1403
Conservatorium High School

Conservatorium Road
Sydney NSW 2000

conservat-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

  • Music
  • Keyboard
  • Instrumental
  • Vocal
  • Composition (Year 10 entry only)
9351 1350
Dulwich High School of Visual Arts and Design

Seaview Street
Dulwich Hill NSW 2203

dulwich-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

  • Visual Art
  • Design
  • Music
  • Dance
  • Drama
  • Drumming
9560 7299
Granville South Creative and Performing Arts High School

53 Rowley Road
Guildford NSW 2161

granvilles-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

  • Creative Arts
  • Performing Arts
  • Music
  • Dance
  • Drama
  • Visual Arts
  • Drumming
9892 2654
Hunter School of the Performing Arts*

* For students from Years 3 to 12.

109 Lambton Road
Broadmeadow NSW 2292


huntperfor-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

  • Dance and Assistant Dance Teaching
  • Drama
  • Music and Music Industry
  • Production Technology Pathway
  • Creative Industries
  • Creative and Visual Arts
4952 3355
Ku-ring-gai Creative Arts High School

403 Bobbin Head Road
Turramurra North 2074


kuringgai-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

  • Music
  • Dance
  • Drama
  • Visual Arts
9144 3477
Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School

115-119 Great Western Highway
Emu Plains NSW 2750


nepean-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

  • Creative Arts

  • Circus Arts

  • Dance

  • Drama

  • Music

4728 7200
Newtown High School of the Performing Arts

King Street,
Newtown NSW 2042


newtown-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

  • Dance
  • Drama
  • Music
9519 1544
Northmead Creative and Performing Arts High School

28 Campbell Street
Northmead NSW 2152


northmead-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

  • Dance
  • Drama
  • Visual Arts
  • Music
  • Circus
9630 4116
Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts

Lysaght Street
Fairy Meadow NSW 2519

wollongong-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

  • Dance
  • Drama
  • Music
  • Visual Arts
4229 6844
Four students hanging upside performing a circus arts routine Four students hanging upside performing a circus arts routine
Image: Circus Arts at Northmead Creative and Performing Arts High School

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.

Student orchestra performance at Verbrugghen Hall at the Conservatorium High School Student orchestra performance at Verbrugghen Hall at the Conservatorium High School
Image: Student performance at Verbrugghen Hall at the Conservatorium High School
Four students hanging upside performing a circus arts routine Four students hanging upside performing a circus arts routine
Image: The Universal Language of Childhood by Sienna Cartwright, 2024 from the Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School
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)

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]

Category:

  • Teaching and learning

Topics:

  • Gifted students
  • HPGE Policy implementation
  • High expectations
  • Physical domain
  • Specialist schools

Business Unit:

  • Teaching and Learning Support
  • Teaching, Learning and Student Wellbeing
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