Apply for a Year 5 Opportunity Class in 2025

Opportunity classes

Information for parents and carers - please also refer to resources at the end of this article

What are opportunity classes?

Opportunity classes cater for intellectually gifted and high potential Year 5 and 6 students. There are 77 schools with opportunity classes (including virtual opportunity classes) across NSW which form part of the public education system.

What are the benefits of attending an opportunity class?

Research shows that high potential and gifted students have specific learning and wellbeing needs. In opportunity classes learning is designed to provide an appropriate level of challenge with children of similar ability. Many high potential and gifted students report feeling a sense of belonging and understanding when they are grouped with similar-ability peers.

How do I know if my child has high potential or is gifted?

Children who have high potential or are gifted tend to:

• be intensely curious
• learn new ideas or skills quickly and easily
• display a good memory
• ask complex questions
• be creative
• enjoy thinking in complex ways
• require fewer repetitions when learning new things
• be highly focused in their area of interest or passion.

If you observe your child demonstrating many of these characteristics it is recommended that you consider applying.

How do students qualify for entry?

Students sit a free placement test.

The opportunity class placement test has three consecutive components:

• reading
• mathematical reasoning
• thinking skills.

Equity Placement

The department has implemented an Equity Placement Model to increase representation of high potential and gifted students from under-represented groups. Under this model a percentage of places are held for:

students from communities of low socio educational advantage

• First Nations students
• students in rural and remote regions
• students with disability.

There is no separate application process for equity placement. Students from each of the equity groups will be identified using data from the application form and other data held by the department. For more information go to: Fair access (nsw.gov.au)

Do students need to practise for the test?

The placement test identifies students with exceptional critical thinking ability, rather than skills that can be coached through rote learning. Students should look at placement tests on the Department of Education website to ensure they are familiar with the test format. Parents should be aware that there is no credible evidence that extensive coaching for the test makes any difference.

You can see past opportunity class placement tests at: Placement test (nsw.gov.au)

Who can apply?

• enrolled in a NSW government primary school
• enrolled in a NSW non-government primary school
• home schooled in NSW; or
• enrolled in an interstate or overseas school – if they expect to meet residency requirements by the time offers are made, and they will live in NSW by the start of Term 1, 2025.

Age and school year

Students are usually in Year 4 at the time of applying and when sitting the test. They are usually born between 1 January 2014 and 1 August 2015. These students will be aged between 9 years and 5 months and 11 years at the time they start Year 5.

If your child is out of the age range or in another school Year when you apply, the online application will prompt you to explain why you want your child to skip or repeat a year. The selection committee reviews these applications and will carefully check the reasons you give. They may ask for more information or for an interview if the child is very young to determine whether there is specific support the school can provide.

Applications from parents/carers who wish to have their child repeat Year 5 may not be accepted even after the student has sat the test. The selection committee may also:

• decide not to accept students who are much older than the usual age range.
• consider that students doing the test for a second time have gained an unfair advantage from their previous test experience.
• require evidence of consultation with the school principal if seeking acceleration from Year 3 in 2024 to Year 5 in 2025. They may also consider acceleration inappropriate for some students.

When do applications open?

Applications open on Thursday, 4 April 2024 and close on Monday, 20 May 2024.

Key application dates and other information is available on the department’s website.: Selective high schools and opportunity classes – information for parents and carers (nsw.gov.au)

Opportunity Class Placement Test

Applications for opportunity class placement are considered on the results of the Opportunity Class Placement Test. Students who wish to be considered for placement are required to sit the Opportunity Class Placement Test on Thursday 1 August 2024.

How to apply

• Parents/carers apply online between Thursday 4 April and Monday 20 May 2024 at: Selective high school and opportunity class placement (nsw.gov.au).
• You must use your own email address and not one belonging to your child.
• You must submit only one application for each child.
• Late applications are not usually accepted.

If you do not have internet access you can apply at a public library or at your child’s school. If you have a disability that prevents you from using a computer, you can contact the Selective Education Unit for assistance after 4 April 2024.

If you intend to apply for opportunity class placement for your child, please cut along the dotted line of the Intention to apply form and return the completed slip to school by 13 May 2024.  Please note, the tear-off slip is NOT an application, it is advice to the school that you intend to apply. The school CAN NOT apply on your behalf.

The application must be completed in English.

Parents can nominate up to two schools with opportunity classes . They should list their choices in their preferred order on the application. Where students qualify for more than one school, they will be offered only their first choice of school.

Parents with disability that prevents them from completing the application online should contact the High Performing Students Team for assistance on 1300 880 367.

There is no cost to submit an application or for the placement test.

Where are opportunity classes?

Opportunity classes are located in NSW government schools across the state and are listed at: Opportunity classes (Year 5–6) (nsw.gov.au)

Where can I get more information?

Read the application information available on the website at: Selective high schools and opportunity classes – information for parents and carers (nsw.gov.au)

Contact the High Performing Students Team Email: ssu@det.nsw.edu.au

Telephone: 1300 880 367

OC Facebook: Opportunity Class Placement | Facebook

Telephone interpreter service

If you need an interpreter to assist with your enquiry please call the telephone interpreter service on 131 450, tell the operator the language you need and the phone number you want to call. The operator will call the number and get an interpreter on the line to assist you with your conversation. You will not be charged for this service.