Essex Heights will get $6million to rebuild most of the school.

The rebuild will be carried out over 18 months in two stages starting next year.

Students will attend lessons in half of the buildings while others are being demolished and constructed.

It was a big win for the school, which still uses rooms constructed in 1962 when the first students started.

Essex Heights now has about 470 students and is equipped to teach in alternative learning spaces. The school temporarily provided space for 172 students from Sussex Heights Primary School after a suspicious fire destroyed parts of that school in July 2008.

Essex Heights principal Chris Cotching said staff, students and parents were excited about the funding.

He said the rebuild would benefit the whole community and provide vibrant open learning spaces for the students, who came from across Melbourne to attend the school for its focus on individual learning.

"We're ready to go and move very quickly as soon as we receive the funding."

Two newer buildings at the school will not be rebuilt - the Ian Harrison Hall and an indoor sports facility under construction with funding from the federal government's Building the Education Revolution.

Mt Waverley state MP Maxine Morand said the school community had developed an innovative design for the new buildings that reflected the supportive, inclusive and stimulating teaching and learning environment of the school.

"The funding will allow the school to proceed with its plans for new school buildings including 16 classrooms,

administration area, amenities and a library."

The school council's vice-president, James Fitzpatrick, said council members were elated by the funding news.

"The funding will enable a total school rebuild with the very best learning opportunities for all students."