Entry Criteria

As a school for gifted learners, there are a range of criteria we look at to ensure the applicant will thrive in our learning environment.

The first document we require is a psychologist’s report with cognitive ability test results.

We encourage families to seek a psychological assessment of cognitive ability as close as possible to the age of 5 or later, so that test results are more accurate. Please note that many psychologists have lengthy waitlists. In Australia, psychologists are registered with the Psychology Board of Australia.

In the Cognitive Ability category, our criteria include,

a General Ability Index, Full Scale score OR Nonverbal Index in the 97th percentile or higher

In the case of General Ability Index, working memory and processing speed are also considered.

OR at least two of the following:
- Verbal Comprehension in the 97^th percentile or higher.
- Visual Spatial in the 97^th percentile or higher.
- Fluid Reasoning in the 97^th percentile or higher. Note: working memory and processing speed are also considered.

We ask for the psychologist’s report in full as it contains relevant contextual information and the psychologist’s recommendations.

The remaining documents we require are the following and can be attached to an application as part of the submission of the application webform.

Achievement tests, if applicable, such as WIAT, UNSW, PAT Reading Comprehension, PAT Mathematics, ICAS competitions, Olympiad competitions, etc.
Current school report, if applicable.
NAPLAN results, if applicable.
Examples of work, if other learning documents lacking.
Explorers Application (for Foundation applications)
Characteristics Questionnaire
Teacher Questionnaire
Authority to Exchange Information – if you would like to authorise us to contact the psychologist, teacher, or another service provider for a reference or contextual information in support of the application, please fill out this form authorising us to contact them.

Every child is unique and we consider the whole student before making our final decision. The more information you can give us, the better an understanding we will have.

Applicants who meet all the criteria may be interviewed and will be considered for an offer of place. Places are limited, so meeting the criteria does not guarantee an offer of place.

If your child

is motivated to learn,

asks complex questions,

digs deeper than expected,

is very curious, and

expresses a strong sense of social justice

we encourage you to apply.

If your child will be 5 years old when they commence at Dara, please refer to the Foundation applications page.

If your child will be 6 years old or older when they commence at Dara, please refer to the Years 1-12 applications page.

Information Evening & Tour dates are available on the Information Evening page.