Academic Excellence

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The Academic Excellence Program (ACE) aims to assist high achieving students to develop their academic potential through an engaging program designed to nurture a passion for learning.

At Southport State High School, the Academic Excellence Program challenges and engages students cognitively in a stimulating and rigorous learning environment. In Years 7 – 9, the ACE program is applied across the subject areas of English, Humanities and Social Science (HaSS), Maths and Science. The learning program aims to foster a deep understanding of the topics taught, develop higher order thinking skills, complex reasoning skills and the critical and creative thinking skills that will be required in the senior years of secondary schooling.

Opportunities in the ACE Program

The learning program in Academic Excellence promotes critical and creative thinking, by providing students with opportunities to extend and develop their capabilities as a learner. Specifically, students will have the opportunity to:

• Become active investigators;
• Take ownership of their work through being independent in their learning and self-directed in their study;
• Apply critical thinking a​nd problem-solving to real life scenarios;
• Participate in Learning Enrichment Days;
• Participate in Extension activities including STEM Club, Chess Club, Interact Club, Public Speaking and Debating; and
• Develop teamwork and effective communication skills.

How to Apply:

The Academic Excellence Program applicants are required to:

• Access the Southport State High Website​. All of the Excellence Program information, application details and forms can be found under the Curriculum tab on the website in ‘Excellence Programs’.
  
• Complete the Academic Excellence written application form and provide all documentation as outlined in the application checklist. The closing date for applications is 3.30pm Wednesday 26th February 2025. (Please do not submit originals, as all components of this application will remain the property of the school).
• If you reside out of the school catchment area, a $100 non-refundable out of catchment fee is payable upon application. The preferred method of payment is via the QKR app.
• Students must be available to attend the Academic Excellence exam on Saturday 15th March 2025. (Details will be emailed to parents the week prior to the exam with an arrival time of 8:15am and pick up at 10:30am at our Enterprise Centre).

Academic Excellence Program Important Dates:​

Cost:

The Academic Excellence Program fee is $180 per year (non-refundable). Standard school enrolment fees apply. The preferred method of payment is via the QKR app.​

Documents:​

Academic Excellence Application Form

Excellence Programs 2026 Application Guide

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