REMINDER: If you would like your child to apply for Selective High School Year 7 entry in 2025, you MUST apply online:  shsoc.education.nsw.gov.au

Detailed instructions on applying and the online form link are at the Selective high schools and Opportunity Classes Year 7 website. 

Selective high school Year 7 entry in 2025—applications open 9 October to 20 November 2023.

Dear families of students currently in Year 5,

Selective high schools cater for high-potential and academically gifted students who may otherwise be without sufficient classmates at their own academic standard. Selective high schools help these students learn by grouping them with students of similar ability, and by using specialised teaching methods. 

If you would like to have your child considered for Year 7 selective high school entry in 2025, you need to apply on the internet using a valid email address (not the student’s email address).

Detailed instructions on applying and the online form link are at the Selective high schools and Opportunity Classes Year 7 website. 

Applications opened on 9 October 2023 and close on 20 November 2023.  You must apply before the closing date. You must submit only ONE application for each student. 

The Selective High School Placement Test will be held on Thursday, 9 May 2024. 

What are Selective High Schools?

Selective high schools provide a learning environment designed for academically gifted and high potential students. They help students learn by:

• grouping them with other gifted students

• using specialised teaching methods so students can learn at a quicker pace and in more detail

• supporting their unique wellbeing needs.

Most students in selective high schools enjoy learning more when their classmates have similar abilities and interests. Research shows that students benefit both academically and socially from the learning environment in selective high schools. Selective high schools are unzoned so you can apply no matter where you live.

Where are they located?

There are 47 selective high schools for Year 7 entry in NSW with:

• 17 selective high schools

• 25 partially selective high schools

• 4 agricultural selective high schools (3 that offer boarding)

• Aurora College, for rural and remote students available in 182 authorised host schools.

Check the selective high school map to find one near you. Or look up the selective high schools list.

Is a selective high school the right fit for my child?

If your child learns quickly, asks complex questions, has a good memory or is intensely focused in their area of interest, then a selective high school might be a great fit. Discuss the opportunity with your child and look through the information together on Selective high schools – Year 7 and in the new student resource hub.

Fair and equitable access

The Equity Placement Model helps make access fairer for more high-potential students in our community. We know that some students may be missing out because they experience educational disadvantage. Under the Model, up to 20% of student places at each selective high school are held for:

• students from low socio-educational advantage backgrounds

• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students

• students from rural and remote locations

• students with disability.

These students can be offered a place if their test performance is within 10% of the lowest general applicant first-round offer for the school. Learn more at Equity Placement Model.

The application process

Complete the online application. Applications close on 20 November 2023.

Once the application has been submitted and processed your child will be allocated to a test centre to sit the Selective High School Placement Test on 9 May 2024. Selective high school places are offered based on students’ test performance (academic merit).

Learn more about the placement process and the placement test at Selective high schools and opportunity classes.

Ready to apply?

Apply online at shsoc.education.nsw.gov.au

Further information

Visit Selective High Schools and Opportunity Classes Year 7.

Contact the Selective Education Unit

Placement of students in selective high schools in Year 7 is administered by the Selective Education Unit. The SHS and OC schools’ site has a messaging feature that you can use to send and receive messages from the Unit at any time: https://shsoc-schools.education.nsw.gov.au/ 

Email: ssu@det.nsw.edu.au

Telephone: 1300 880 367.

The preferred way for parents to contact the Selective Education Unit is by sending messages through their application dashboard.

Website: https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/selective-high-schools-and-opportunity-classes

Kind regards

Dave Renshaw

Acting Deputy Principal