Applications OPEN for Year 5 entry into an opportunity class in 2024

Opportunity classes cater for high potential and intellectually gifted students in Years 5 and 6.

Applying for Year 5 entry in 2024

Applications for Year 5 entry to an opportunity class in 2024 will open on Thursday 30 March 2023 and close on Monday 15 May 2023.  See below on how to apply.

Please return to the department's website during the application period to start your online application. 

What are the benefits?

Opportunity classes help students learn by:

• grouping them with other high potential and gifted students
• using special teaching methods so students can learn concepts in more detail and more quickly.
• supporting their wellbeing needs.

Most students in opportunity classes enjoy learning more when their classmates have similar abilities and interests.

Where are they located?

There are 76 primary schools with opportunity classes in NSW each year.

• 45 schools are located in metropolitan Sydney
• 30 schools are located in rural or regional centres; plus
• a virtual class, Aurora College, is available for rural and remote students in 618 authorised host schools

Opportunity classes are unzoned so you can apply no matter where you live in NSW.

Students successfully placed attend the opportunity class full time in Years 5 and 6 at the relevant public school.

In the majority of cases, students who have accepted a place in an opportunity class will leave their current school to attend the school with the opportunity class.

Is an opportunity class the right fit for my child?

First, discuss the opportunity with your child and look through the information together here on our website.

Your child may have high academic potential if they demonstrate some of the following:

• enjoy learning
• have intense curiosity
• display a good memory
• ask complex questions
• enjoy learning new and often complex ideas or skills
• require fewer repetitions when learning new things
• are creative
• become intensely focused in their area of interest or passion

Note: not all high potential and gifted learners will display all of these characteristics, for example, due to lack of opportunity, disability or disadvantage.

Learn more about the department’s High Potential and Gifted Education Policy.

The Equity Placement Model

The Equity Placement Model helps to make access to opportunity classes fairer for the following under-represented groups:

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

The model holds up to 20% of places at each school for students from these groups to help increase their participation.

These students may be considered for equity placement if their test performance is within 10% of general applicants' first round offers for each school.

Learn more at Equity Placement Model.

How do I apply?

Applications for entry into Year 5 opportunity classes in 2024 open on Thursday 30 March and close Monday 15 May, 2023.

The online application link will be available on this webpage during the application window.

View all key dates for Opportunity classes—Year 5 entry in 2024.