Parents and carers who are interested in having their child attend an opportunity class or a selective high school in 2028 can apply from this Thursday, 5 November.

Selective high schools and opportunity classes are some of the ways that the department supports high potential and gifted students. These are students whose intellectual potential exceeds that of students of the same age. Selective high schools are for students in Years 7 to 12, and opportunity classes are for students in Years 5 and 6.

The application period is from Thursday 5 November 2026 to Monday 15 February 2027. Parents and carers must apply during this application period – late applications will not be accepted.

• Students seeking placement in an opportunity class will be in Year 3 when applications open and in Year 4 when they close.
• Students seeking placement in a selective high school are in Year 5 when applications open and in Year 6 when they close.

How to apply

Complete the online application (approximately10 mins) – visit: Application process.

Where are selective high schools and opportunity classes located? 

Selective high schools and opportunity classes are located across NSW. You can apply for opportunity classes and selective high schools that are outside your local enrolment area.

Aurora College provides online opportunity classes and selective high schools for students living in rural and remote locations. These classes are available at over 600 public primary schools and 180 public high schools.

To search for a local host school near you visit Find an opportunity class and Find a a selective high school.

Placement test

Once you have submitted your application, your child will be allocated to sit the placement test. Test admission tickets are issued to parents and carers approximately 2 weeks before the test dates. The OC test dates are Tuesday 11 and Wednesday 12 May. The SHS test dates are Thursday 13 May and Friday 14 May. The placement tests are computer-based (laptops are provided by the department) and are mostly held in public high schools.

Following the test, places are offered based on a student’s test performance.

Fair and equitable access 

The department is committed to ensuring that all students have fair access to opportunity classes and selective high schools.

There is an equal number of selective places available for boys and girls at all co-educational and partially selective high schools and opportunity classes. Learn more at Fair access.

The Equity Placement Model holds up to 20 per cent of selective high school and opportunity class places for high potential or gifted students from the following under-represented groups:

• students from low socio-educational advantage areas
• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students
• students from rural or remote locations
• students with disability.

These students may be offered a place if their test performance is within 10 per cent of the minimum general applicant first-round offer for the school. Learn more at Fair access.

Does my gifted child need to go to a selective high school or opportunity class?

Selective high schools and opportunity classes are just some of the ways that the department supports high potential and gifted students. Gifted students are also supported to achieve their potential across all of our public schools through Inspire - High Potential and Gifted Education.

Visit your local public-school website to learn more. Find your local school on the School finder tool.

Where do I go for more information?

Visit our website selective high schools and opportunity classes.