In junior secondary, students are able to participate in a number of excellence programs.
In senior secondary, students participate in student leadership roles, the Drive program, and our school's student council.
Drive program
Desire Resilient Intelligent Versatile Excellence - DRIVE
Maroochydore State High School runs a program to support its gifted and talented students called the DRIVE Class Program. This program identifies the top achieving individuals in years 10-12 and is designed to nurture the personal development and academic focus of our brightest students. The aim of the class is to also build a strong supportive network amongst students and create close mentoring relationships with staff.
Students in the DRIVE program meet with pastoral care teachers every morning during Roll/Care Class. The Deputy Principal, HOD Senior Secondary and Guidance Officers regularly attend this session. This gives staff and students regular contact and provides close monitoring and communication about assessment, events and other important information.
The performance and wellbeing of DRIVE class students is monitored closely and extra support is provided for exam preparation and other subjects when needed. Some gifted and talented opportunities arise throughout the year, but for the most part, the focus is on students attending every class, every day to achieve their personal best.
Selection of students
The academic performance of the whole year level is monitored closely by the Deputy Principal Senior Schooling and Head of Department Senior Secondary. If students demonstrate via their report card that they have achieved high academic outcomes at the end of each term, they will be asked to join the class. If students find the program too much or they are not maintaining high outcomes, they may be moved from the class to a mainstream Care Class. These students will be given support from the Head of Department Senior Secondary and the Guidance Officer to develop strategies to return to the class if they are motivated to do so. Therefore the class is fluid and rewards all students who are willing to work hard to achieve high outcomes.