Carrum Downs Secondary College is committed to offering a wide range of subjects and pathway options to ensure we are meeting the needs of each and every individual student.

Developing student's Literacy and Numeracy skills is prioritised across all subjects. In Year 7 students have the opportunity to gain insight into each subject and learning area and then from Year 8 onwards students undertake the core subjects of English, Maths, Humanities, Science and HPE. The core program is complimented with a comprehensive elective program that allows for more student choice over their subjects and pathways. 

Extensive support is provided to students and families to ensure that they are accessing subjects and pathways that align with their skills, interests and future aspirations.

It is the goal of Carrum Downs Secondary College that all students have a successful pathway to university, TAFE or full-time employment. It is essential that students transitioning to the senior years plan carefully and make informed decisions that enable them to fulfil both academic and personal goals. 

The best advice is to choose studies:

• which the student enjoys

• in which the student is likely to achieve success

• that the student may need for future study (prerequisites) or work

• which maintain and develop the student’s special skills and talents

The focus of our Year 10 program is to provide students with as much choice as possible. We aim to provide an enjoyable, relevant, broad and rigorous teaching and learning program that provides both preparation for Year 11 and 12 as well as the training and guidance for future careers. There is an opportunity for students to accelerate their studies with a VCE or VET subject.

Students in Senior VCE or VCE-VM Pathways undertake five subjects which can include offerings from the VET in Schools Program and subjects offered through the Centre for Higher Education Studies. 

Our VM program runs on-site Monday, Tuesday and Thursday with each individual student undertaking a VET course and Structured Workplace Learning on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Students in VCE are encouraged to undertake a unit 3 /4 subject in Year 11 to support them to access a sixth VCE subject, which provides them with an additional opportunity to maximise their ATAR. 

Course Guides for 2027

Year 8 and 9 Course Guide 2027