Skyline supports students who may be at risk of:
- leaving the school system early to support themselves and their families, or
- ‘falling through the cracks’ as they deal with financial hardship, emotional, family and other challenges.
In many cases, Skyline Program graduates are the first person in their family to complete secondary school.
The Foundation fulfils its mission for this student cohort through the unique Skyline Program. The Skyline model is a strong evidence based program, developed initially by John Cheetham in partnership with the DOXA Youth Foundation in 2001. In 2004 Skyline Education Foundation was founded off the back of the previous program, however it was not until 2006 when the program was re-badged as Skyline Education Foundation Australia that John, with a group of passionate supporters, offered the Skyline Program to gifted and talented, high resilience, government school students.
Since that inaugural year, 96% of our students who graduate from the Skyline Program, having completed their VCE studies, have transitioned to tertiary studies or careers of choice.
The Foundation also advocates more broadly for high ability students with resilience in the face of challenges in Victoria and the educational changes needed to identify and support them in achieving their potential and fulfilling their dreams through education.