- Explore passions and community problems.
- Conduct empathy research and define “How might we…?” challenges.
Launch
Where school meets the real world of work
A select-entry middle years programme that places students inside a living workplace ecosystem at Cubes.Co Academy. Students design real ventures, work with industry mentors, and build the capabilities they need to thrive in a world shaped by AI, innovation and human connection.
Positioned at the intersection of education, innovation and industry.
Positioned at the intersection of education, innovation and industry.
The Triple Engine
Three forces working together to turn possibility into practice.
Students
Drive the ideas
Teachers
Shape the learning
Industry Mentors
Bring the real world
At Cubes.Co Academy, this triple engine powers every project. Learners are not just attending a programme. They are working inside a real innovation ecosystem with expert educators and practising professionals by their side.
Preparing students for the real world
The Academy is purpose built for the world our young people are stepping into. Learning is anchored in real environments, guided by expert educators and shaped through genuine industry connection.
This approach is not an add-on. It is a deliberate alignment with the state’s most important educational frameworks, ensuring every student experiences learning that is relevant, future-facing and grounded in evidence-based practice.
The Academy is designed for
Students
- Middle years learners with high intent and curiosity.
- Who are ready to imagine what could be, explore unconventional ideas and pursue solutions and explorations.
Families
- Seeking meaningful extension beyond the traditional classroom.
- Who value enterprise skills and real-world networks.
Schools
- Seeking a high-quality, turnkey enterprise and design thinking offer.
- Teams wanting to lift engagement and pathways, without overloading staff.
For Industry and Community Partners
- That want to mentor, pose real problem briefs or support youth-led ventures
- Councils and community groups seeking impact through student-led innovation
Our Program
Students work with expert educators and industry mentors to design and launch real ventures and community innovations. Learning is focused and curriculum-aligned, building capability, confidence and creative discipline. Assessment is authentic and practical. Students capture evidence in enterprise portfolios, receive targeted mentor feedback and pitch their work in public showcases that put their learning on display.
Key Features
- Three days per week on site, two days at base school.
- Cohorts of about 60 middle years students from multiple schools.
- Select-entry through application and teacher endorsement.
The student experience journey
Students move through each stage with sharp guidance from educators paired with real corporate and industry mentors, giving every step purpose, pace and real-world power.
Discover
01
Design
- Generate and test ideas through structured design thinking sprints.
- Develop concepts using visual communication, storytelling and feedback.
02
Develop
- Prototype, cost and refine products or services with mentor support.
- Apply literacy, numeracy and digital skills in authentic contexts.
03
Deliver
- Prepare and deliver professional-standard pitches and showcases.
- Present to educators, families, industry and community partners.
04
Reflect & Pathways
- Capture learning in an enterprise portfolio.
- Plan realistic next steps into school subjects, pathways and community action.
05
What students experience at Cubes.Co Academy
Outcomes and Impact
Apply enterprise skills through real workplace projects.
Strengthen literacy and numeracy through purposeful industry-aligned tasks.
Earn micro credentials that validate emerging skills.
Build professional networks with sustained mentorship.
Progress toward VCE VM pathways through workplace-embedded skill development.
Develop core capabilities including Critical and Creative Thinking, Ethical understanding, Personal and Social capability, and Intercultural awareness.
About Cubes.Co Academy
Cubes.Co Academy is a metropolitan, workplace-embedded innovation hub for middle years students. It is enterprise-focused, located within Melbourne’s CreativeCubes.Co community.
Expert In Residence
Katrina Aralios
Katrina Aralios is an experienced school leader and curriculum innovator with over 25 years in education. With a double degree in Arts and Education, she brings a deep understanding of how students thrive academically, socially and emotionally. Student wellbeing and engagement sit at the heart of her work.
Katrina has led large-scale middle years reform, design thinking initiatives, interdisciplinary learning and community-based programmes. Her leadership has consistently strengthened capability development, lifted engagement and connected learning with real purpose.
She the expert in residence here at the Cubes.Co Academy to build a scalable, equity-focused model that places young people inside real workplaces, supported by teachers and industry mentors. The Academy empowers learners to create meaningful ventures, build networks and experience the genuine impact of their ideas in the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Cubes.Co Academy align with Victoria’s education priorities?
The Academy strengthens excellence, equity and future-skills development by giving students access to the kind of innovation ecosystems normally limited to higher-resourced areas. The programme directly supports state goals for enterprise learning, digital capability and post-school readiness.
Is this equivalent to a Tech School?
Yes, in function and intent. Cubes.Co Academy operates as a Tech-School-equivalent service that is lean, mobile and faster to scale. Schools gain access to industry-connected learning without needing major infrastructure investment.
How does the programme support equity?
Students from low-equity communities are placed inside a professional network and innovation environment that would otherwise be inaccessible. This lifts confidence, opportunity and exposure to real future pathways.
How do you ensure student safety?
All teaching staff hold current VIT registration and meet DET Child Safe Standards. All mentors and facilitators maintain valid Working With Children Checks. Duty of care, OHS and risk processes are co-designed with partner schools.
How do reporting and wellbeing processes work?
Attendance, wellbeing and incident reporting align directly with school systems. Schools retain enrolment and wellbeing oversight, ensuring continuity of care.
How is assessment handled?
Assessment evidence is provided back to schools, ready to be included in student reports. Students also build an enterprise portfolio that captures skills, reflections and growth.
What safeguards exist for governance and accountability?
A structured Memorandum of Understanding outlines roles and responsibilities for both Cubes.Co Academy and partner schools, covering delivery, safety, communication and expectations.
What does the partnership require from schools?
Schools endorse suitable students, maintain wellbeing oversight and collaborate on logistics, risk and curriculum alignment. The Academy delivers the programme, mentoring and workplace environment.
How is intellectual property managed?
The MoU protects the intellectual property and branding of Cubes.Co Academy. All partners commit to respectful use of materials and transparent communication.
Does the model place extra load on school staff?
No. The programme is designed as a turnkey solution. The Academy team delivers the curriculum, mentoring framework and industry integration. Schools remain engaged strategically without additional operational burden.
“People seek a village. We are that village. Here, possibility becomes reality”