Opportunity Class (Year 5-6)

Opportunity classes are offered in primary school from Years 5 to 6.

Parents apply when students are at the end Year 3 or the beginning of Year 4 for placement in Year 5. It is a 2-year program (Year 5 to 6). Parents cannot apply for Year 6 placement only.

Age and school year

For opportunity class placement, students are usually:

• at the end of Year 3 or the beginning of Year 4 at the time of applying
• in Year 4 when sitting the test.
• aged between 9 years and 5 months and 11 years at the time they start Year 5.

For Year 5 opportunity class entry in 2027, students would usually have their birth date between 1st January 2015 and 31st July 2017.

Is selective education the right fit for my child?

High potential and gifted students can be found across diverse family, socio-economic, language, cultural backgrounds and geographic locations.

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/s of interest.

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

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

How do I apply for entry into an opportunity class or selective high school for my child?

Parents/carers should visit the selective high schools and opportunity classes website to learn more about opportunity classes and selective high schools and complete an online application.

How are students placed in an opportunity class?

Places are offered to students based on their performance on the free computer-based placement test. Within each co-educational opportunity class and selective high school there will be an equal number of places available for girls and boys

We know that some high potential and gifted students are missing out because they experience educational disadvantage. The Equity Placement Model is designed to make entry fairer for these students by holding a percentage of places for high potential and gifted students:

·         from low socio educational advantage backgrounds

·         who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

·         from rural and remote areas

·         with disability.

How should my child prepare for the placement tests?

Students may like to do a small amount of preparation for the placement test using the department’s free resources so they know what to expect on test day:

·         Applying for an opportunity class: Student resource hub

·         Applying for a selective high school: Student resource hub.

Some practice helps students feel confident and prepared. Coaching is not necessary for sitting the OC and SHS placement tests nor is it endorsed by the NSW Department of Education.

Late applications

The application period cannot be extended. Make sure you submit your application before the closing date. For more information, check key dates.