For more than 60 years, Ave Maria College has been committed to providing a dynamic and rigorous educational experience that supports students to succeed in any field they may choose.
Inspired by Helene de Chappotin’s vision of ‘learning for fullness of life for all’, Ave Maria’s approach to education is personal, collaborative, and grounded in meaningful engagement as we provide a holistic experience which works in partnership with the student and their family. Our focus on differentiated learning pathways ensures that each student’s skills, interests and aspirations are recognised, developed and celebrated, imparting them with the courage to excel in every aspect of college life. In 2024, 18.6 per cent of students achieved an ATAR above 90, with 35.6 per cent scoring above 80.
Sparking curiosity
At Ave Maria College, learning and teaching is a comprehensive and innovative experience which provides students with the skills to thrive in our ever-changing world. The College’s Charter for Education which underpins all learning experiences acknowledges the inherent connection between faith, learning and wellbeing to support each student’s unique educational journey. Striving to educate the whole person, students are armed with the necessary knowledge, skills and understanding to contribute to the world and a lifelong love of learning.
Students in Years 7-9 experience a broad curriculum that enables self-exploration through purposeful explicit teaching. With core and elective subjects spanning diverse fields, students are provided the opportunity to discover their interests and strengths, laying the foundation for their senior studies pathways. This continues into Year 10, where students work closely with our careers team and VCE teachers to select a senior pathway that aligns with their post-secondary aspirations.
Our pathways include a range of options to ensure that all students can reach their full potential:
- Victorian Certificate of Education – scored (ATAR) and non-scored pathways
- Accelerated VCE
- VCE Vocational Major – previously known as VCAL
- VCE VET pathway
- School-based apprenticeships
- Tertiary Preparation Program – a partnership with RMIT University
By offering these differentiated pathways, Ave Maria College graduates have access to a wide variety of tertiary study, apprenticeship and employment opportunities that allow them to pursue their true passions. Eighty-two per cent of the Class of 2024 secured their first or second preference of tertiary pathway across various fields, including Engineering, Law, Education, Biomedicine, Allied Health, Business, and Commerce.
Supporting learners at every stage
As part of the College’s commitment to supporting the needs and interests of each individual student, bespoke learning programs and opportunities are available to students to facilitate acceleration, enrichment and learning support. In 2025, the College continues to strengthen its Horizons program which provides challenging educational experiences to extend students beyond the classroom. This accelerated program allows students to collaborate across year levels, stimulating their critical and creative thinking skills.
Each semester, the College hosts an accelerated learners conference, opening its doors to the broader College community to allow students from Years 3-10 to learn and grow together through interdisciplinary challenges. These conferences have proven to be an incredible success, fostering curiosity, resilience and collaborative problem-solving for participants, empowering them to continue to excel and thrive. In the Senior years, students are also able to further accelerate their studies through a personalised VCE pathway tailored to maximise their growth and engagement.
Learning beyond the classroom
Learning is never confined to the classroom at Ave Maria College as demonstrated by the wide range of co-curricular opportunities for students across a variety of learning domains. Aiming to foster the creative, spiritual, academic, physical, and social abilities and talents of our students, the programs offer authentic experiences to complement their growth and development.
The College also offers a range of national and international learning tours that provide an authentic landscape for the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and understanding. These include, but are not limited to, tours associated with Language and Culture, STEM, Enterprise Skills, and Student Leadership.
The College is always actively seeking new opportunities to broaden our programs and offerings for students, ensuring that each and every student receives a well-rounded holistic education grounded in the Franciscan tradition.
Empowering future leaders
At Ave Maria College, students take centre stage as valued change-makers. From Year 7, students are encouraged to take on formal and informal leadership opportunities in all facets of College life. With over one hundred opportunities available at all year levels in portfolios such as College Captain, Year Level, Franciscan (Faith), Academic, Arts (Performing and Visual), House and Mentor leaders, student voice is heard and valued. Whether it is making a speech at a school assembly or volunteering for after-hours primary school programs, students are empowered to use their voice to make change in their community.
