Naranga is a Department of Education school for students who have a mild intellectual disability. The school is located in Naranga Crescent, Frankston, and shares its boundaries with Ballam Park Primary School, McClelland College and the Ballam Park complex. Kai Pukarinen is the Principal of the school. The school provides teachers, teacher aides, welfare, psychology and speech pathology services. The school was built in 1974 with a projected budget of $5150.00. It was built to accommodate 144 students in 3 brick classroom blocks, arranged around a central courtyard. Currently our school enrolment is under 200. Over time, modifications and new building works have increased the capacity of the school to provide a variety of engaging and motivating programs. In 2011 we welcomed the addition of the a new ‘Building The Education Revolution’ building which provides three new teaching spaces and a library/research zone. Mid 2019 celebrated the opening of a new Junior School building. It took seven months to build, including the demolishing of the old building. 

The school services the northern part of the Mornington Peninsula which extends south from Edithvale to Mornington. Students who live within the designated transport zone are transported to and from school on a daily basis on government-funded buses. Transport is not provided to students living outside the school zone. The school operates in two sections. The Junior School caters for students aged between 5 and 13 years of age. The Senior School caters to students aged 14-18. Students in their final two years of schooling join the Pathways program and have the option to undertake the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL). As students reach the end of their schooling years, opportunities such as the Futures for Young Adults Program are explored with students and their families. All teaching staff are qualified teachers, and many have additional a qualification in Special Education. The average class size in the Junior School is 8 – 13 students. The Senior School operates similarly to a mainstream secondary college, where students belong to a home group, and are then timetabled for various sessions, subjects and teachers on a weekly basis. Naranga School’s curriculum is based on the Victorian Essential Learning Standards (VELS), with a focus on Abilities-Based Learning and Educational Support (ABLES) for younger students. The Naranga Curriculum ensures an effective progression through the school in key learning areas. An emphasis is placed on independent living skills and – as students mature – on vocational programs. Students have the opportunity to take part in Work Experience placements within and outside the school.

Other programs which are a feature of the Naranga School Curriculum include Music, Dance, Art, Home Economics, Woodwork, Outdoor Education, Horticulture, Bike Education, Independent Travel and Community Awareness. There is an extensive computer network across the school which comprises small computer laboratories, as well as netbooks and iPads. Many classes now have interactive touch screen in the classroom. A comprehensive Physical Education/Sports program ensures all students are engaged in physical activity. The senior students have the opportunity to experience various sports such as basketball, football, cricket and soccer. There is a strong emphasis on the Performing Arts with students being involved in music as a specialist program and dance and drama integrated into the classroom learning. The students’ confidence and creativity are enhanced through their involvement in these programs. The Annual School Concert gives every student an opportunity to participate and perform the skills that they have developed throughout the year. 

Each student has an Individual Learning Plan (ILP), which identifies the educational goals. These goals are set at the beginning of the year with the input of parents at Student Support Group (SSG) meetings. Half-yearly reports, parent information sessions, parent/teacher meetings, student lead conferences and end of year reports provide formal communication and reporting opportunities. The school encourages parents to maintain a healthy communication channel with their child’s teacher through informal contact, such as communication books, phone calls, or personal visits.