John Monash Science School, which opened for the first time in 2010, is the first of its kind in Victoria and one of only three specialist science schools in Australia. The facilities and infrastructure are multi-storey and based on a ‘learning commons’ design to facilitate the variety of teaching and learning approaches characteristic of the school. Monash University leased the site for the school building at its Clayton campus. Monash has also provided project officer support and academic staff to liaise and work with the school to plan the innovative curriculum currently on offer. The founding cohort of 187 students came from 90 schools across the state, representative of all educational sectors and locations including rural Victoria. A 50-50 gender balance and a rich and diverse ethnic mix were evident. Students were selected after analysis of written assessments and interviews, and the school is continuing to refine these processes into the future. The founding staff members also came from all education sectors, comprising 3 Principal Class Officers, 5 Leading Teachers, 11 teachers, a Chaplain, a Business Manager and 4 education support officers. JMSS has created a range of curriculum options in science unique to Victorian schools. It will soon be able to share its programs and learnings with other teachers and providers, in fulfilling its mission to inform and enhance science provision in Victoria, therefore enabling more students to access tertiary science-based courses and hence careers in science.