At Burnside State High School, we pride ourselves on ensuring we uphold our values of care, consideration and cooperation in our school. Our school offers a range of unique programs including:
Arts program
- Dance (School production)
- Drama / Film, Television and New Media / Visual Art / Music
Offering a range of subjects in our new state-of-the-art Performing Arts building opened in 2025, the arts program is one of the highlights of our school. Students can also enrol in Instrumental music. Lessons are approximately 30 minutes in length and are held once a week in Music practice rooms. Students take part in public performances at assemblies and special occasions in the community such as the Arts Expo and Anzac Day ceremony.
Science program
- Marine Studies
- Chemistry / Biology / Physics / Psychology
Marine Studies is one of the most unique and popular subjects we offer at Burnside State High School. With our location close to some of the world's most beautiful beaches, students explore our ocean planet, the dynamic shore, marine ecology and biodiversity
Marine systems, ocean issues and resource management. There is also a Heron Island excursion offered to enrolled students each year.
Physical Education program
- Volleyball Excellence Program (years 7-10)
- Health / Physical Education
Our school offers a Volleyball Excellence Program, where students develop a strong set of values such as: self-discipline, leadership, responsibility, confidence, commitment and the ability to work as a team member towards common goals. Volleyball has been a major sport at Burnside State High School for over 20 years, and during this time Burnside has won State and National Gold Medals, and has produced many Regional, State and National players.
Other specialised subjects include:
- English (English / Literature / Essential English)
- Humanities (Ancient History / Business / Modern History / Legal Studies)
- Technology (Digital Solutions)
- Languages (Japanese / Indonesian)
- Applied subjects (Early Childhood Studies / Sport and Recreation / Social and Community Studies / Furnishing Skills / Industrial Graphics Skills / Dance in Practice / Media Arts in Practice / Visual Arts in Practice)
- Vocational Education (Aviation / Engineering Pathways / Active Volunteering / Business – Tourism / Fitness / Hospitality / Music / Creative Industries / Health)
- Horizons program (years seven-nine STEAM – Science / Technologies / Engaged / Arts / Maths)
*Please note enrolment in these subjects upon entry to Burnside State High School is dependent on the number of student per class.