13 Oct 2023
If your child is currently in Year 5, apply now for Year 7 entry in 2025. Applications close 20 November 2023.
Does your child have a passion for learning? Do they ...
- Display intense curiosity, focus or passion in areas of interest
- Learn new ideas or skills quickly and easily
- Have a good memory
- Ask complex questions
- Demonstrate creativity; or
- Enjoys thinking in complex ways?
If any of the above shoulds like your child, they may benefit from attending a NSW selective high school.
What are selective high schools?
Selective high schools cater for high-potential and intellectually gifted students.
They help students learn by:
- grouping them with other gifted students
- using special teaching methods so students can learn concepts in more detail and more quickly.
- supporting their well-being needs
Most students in selective high schools enjoy learning more when their classmates have similar abilities and interests.
As well as providing for students’ academic development, selective high schools also offer a broad range of classes and extra-curricular activities, such as:
- sports
- creative and performing arts
- music
- special interest clubs.
Selective high schools are unzoned so you can apply no matter where you live.
Key Dates
- Application website opens
9 October 2023
- Application website closes
20 November 2023
- Test centre and test authority advice released
25 April 2024
- Selective High School Placement Test
9 May 2024
- Illness/misadventure requests submitted
16 May 2024
- Placement outcome expected to be released
Late-August 2024
Want to find out more?
Please visit our website for updates and complete information about the placement process. Contact us through
- Email: ssu@det.nsw.edu.au
- Phone: 1300 880 367 (the phone system has updates at key stages of placement)
Ready to apply?
Please notify your school of your intention to apply by completing and returning the Intention to apply form - see below
Applications open on 9 October 2023 - apply online