Mount Barker Community College is a Kindergarten to Year 12 campus with approximately 700 students. Our College is situated 50km north of Albany. It has been developed by joining the former Mount Barker Primary School (est. 1933) with the Mount Barker High School (est. 1962).
Our College is surrounded by our 237Ha mixed farm with vineyard. We are a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) offering senior students nationally recognised certificates in Rural Operations, Agrifoods, Hospitality and Engineering. We have an on-site Trade Training Centre for Engineering, a commercial kitchen in our canteen as well as our College farm, which is also a recognised Murray Gray Stud.
The College serves the area from South Stirling (70 km East) to Frankland River (70km West), and from Narrikup (35km South) to beyond Tenterden (40km North). This area is predominantly rural, although a full range of families work with the College. Aboriginal students make up about 8% of our college population, about 6% of students have English as a Second Language (principally Afghani students) and we have regular international exchange students visiting, mainly from Europe and Japan.
Our College has an excellent reputation for our senior secondary and ATAR performance, being awarded a ‘Top Performing Public School’ award many times in the past 10 years and in 2016 we were identified as the top performing regional school. We are proud of our strong partnership with parents and the community to support education and student success. In 2015 we became an Independent Public School, as recognition of our ability to respond to and develop great educational opportunities for our students and partnerships in our community.
Community Partnership
Strong partnerships with parents, helps students succeed in their learning. Community partnerships are most important in Mount Barker – links with parents, businesses, industry, training and further education are strengthening education for students and preparing them lifelong learning and a sustainable future.
Our College has a strong relationship with the Shire of Plantagenet working together to utilise the shared community Recreation Centre. Our Community Service Program provides links with many community groups and organisations, while our VET work placements creates connections with many local business and industry.