To get there, you need to drive for almost three hours out of Melbourne, and along the windy, wild Great Ocean Road.

This year, Apollo Bay P-12 College was ranked 18th in the state for its impressive VCE results.

The school achieved a median study score of 36 and 21.4 per cent of its study scores were 40 or above.

Achieving a study score of 40 or above places students in the top 9 per cent of the state.

The small, rural school, which had just 16 students enrolled in Year 12, beat the results of many prestigious, high-fee private schools in the city.

Principal Tiffany Holt said the key to the school’s success was developing strong connections with students and letting them pursue their interests.

“We are a small school and know our students incredibly well,” she said.

“When students have an interest, we don't let any barriers stand in the way.”

The school is a five-minute walk from the beach, which teachers and students use as an outdoor classroom.

In sport, students are taught how to surf or they might glide through the ocean on kayaks.

And as part of the science curriculum, they study crabs, fish and other marine life lurking in rock pools.

“Our school motto is unique environment, extraordinary opportunities,” Ms Holt said.

Jackson Hayat had a busy schedule during the VCE.

Earlier this year, the Apollo Bay P-12 student established his own film company and he’s been busy making promotional videos for local festivals and tourist attractions as well as short films.

He also hosts a weekly radio program about films on Apollo Bay Radio.

Next year he hopes to study film and television at Swinburne University.

He said the best thing about school was his dedicated teachers.

“They are very invested in their students,” he said.

“I have lived in Apollo Bay for my whole life and have attended the school since prep. I know all the teachers really well.”

His classmate Ella Summers pursued her love of music throughout school, travelling to Geelong for violin lessons and to perform in an orchestra.

She achieved an ATAR of 97.2 and plans on taking a gap year next before studying applied science and music at Monash University. The 18-year-old said it’s been wonderful to grow up alongside her classmates.

“I have been there since prep. I have known most of my classmates since I was really young.”

While many of the school’s 280 students have grown up in Apollo Bay, Ms Holt said an increasing number of seachangers were moving into the area and enrolling their children at the local school.

“Some people have moved into their holiday homes,” she said. “Apollo Bay still offers a country lifestyle. Even though we have a high tourist trade, our community is all about looking after each other.”

The former principal of Daylesford Secondary College said she also moved to Apollo Bay because she wanted a change of scenery.

“I like P-12 environments and a smaller school,” Ms Holt said. “I wanted a sea change.”