Darwin High School: how select entry works
Independent. Not affiliated with Darwin High School or the NT Department of Education.
Darwin High School in The Gardens, Darwin, runs 51Darwin High · 12 October 2026 · Published select entry programs, some needing an entrance test. Dates for 2028 entry are not published1Darwin High · 12 October 2026 · Not published; last round's applications closed 4 September 20261Darwin High · 12 October 2026 · Published.
How does select entry work at Darwin High?
Through one registration for five programs, each with its own entry. Entry differs by program: a test for some, an audition for one, an expression of interest for one1Darwin High · 12 October 2026 · Published.
Darwin High is in The Gardens, Darwin. It runs 51Darwin High · 12 October 2026 · Published select entry programs, with two entry points: Year 7 and Year 10.
| Program | Years | Who registers | How students are chosen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students of High Performance (SOHP) | Years 7 to 9 | for current Year 6 students intending to enrol in Year 72Darwin High · 12 October 2026 · Published | An entrance test, plus school reports 2Darwin High · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Dance Excellence and Band Excellence | Years 7 to 9 | Students starting Year 7 | an audition, not a test1Darwin High · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| Centre for Excellence (C4E), science and maths | Years 10 to 12 | Current Year 9 students 3Darwin High · 12 October 2026 · Published | A placement test, plus the Year 9 report 3Darwin High · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| SOHP English | Years 10 to 12 | Current Year 9 students 1Darwin High · 13 October 2026 · Published | A test 1Darwin High · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Centre for Skills and Training | Years 10 to 12 | current Year 9 to 11 students1Darwin High · 13 October 2026 · Published | no entrance test; entry by Expression of Interest1Darwin High · 13 October 2026 · Published |
The rules are the same for all: one closing date for every program, and no late registrations1Darwin High · 13 October 2026 · Published. You register online through CompassTix4Darwin High · 13 October 2026 · Published.
How does Year 7 entry work?
Your child sits an entrance test for SOHP, the Students of High Performance program. Registration is for current Year 6 students intending to enrol in Year 72Darwin High · 12 October 2026 · Published.
The school describes SOHP as a program for highly motivated, academically capable students who want to extend themselves2Darwin High · 13 October 2026 · Published. It enriches Mathematics, Science, English and Humanities2Darwin High · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Pay the test fee
A fee of A$102Darwin High · 12 October 2026 · Published applies to sit the SOHP test.
Have every document in first
The school needs every document in before testing2Darwin High · 13 October 2026 · Published: an application isn't assessed until they arrive.
Choose a test session
Last round, Year 7 testing ran on 8–10 September 20262Darwin High · 14 October 2026 · Published, and each applicant chose one 3 pm session.
Entry to SOHP in Years 8 and 9 is generally not by external application2Darwin High · 12 October 2026 · Published. Places then depend on achievement, teacher recommendation and vacancies, so Year 7 is the main way in.
How does Year 10 entry work?
Current Year 9 students register for one of three senior programs. Two need a test, and one takes an Expression of Interest.
The Centre for Excellence in science and maths
C4E is a selective science and maths program for Years 10 to 123Darwin High · 12 October 2026 · Published. It is open to students with demonstrated aptitude in Mathematics and Science3Darwin High · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Applicants sit a placement test for a limited number of places, with a fee of A$103Darwin High · 13 October 2026 · Published. They email the Year 9 Semester 1 report3Darwin High · 13 October 2026 · Published. Also needed: an enrolment form before the test, for students from other schools3Darwin High · 13 October 2026 · Published.
C4E classes follow the mainstream curriculum, plus additional topics3Darwin High · 13 October 2026 · Published. Students can take science, mathematics or both3Darwin High · 13 October 2026 · Published, and get workshops through a partnership with Charles Darwin University3Darwin High · 13 October 2026 · Published.
SOHP English
SOHP English is the senior English program. It runs as SOHP English in Year 10, then English Literary Studies in Years 11 and 124Darwin High · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Entry is by test. Students need a high level of performance to stay in the program4Darwin High · 13 October 2026 · Published. Results are reviewed at the end of Semester 1 each year4Darwin High · 13 October 2026 · Published, when students in mainstream classes can also gain a place.
The Centre for Skills and Training
This is the vocational route. There is no entrance test; entry by Expression of Interest1Darwin High · 13 October 2026 · Published, and it is open to current Year 9 to 11 students1Darwin High · 13 October 2026 · Published.
When are Darwin High's dates for 2028 entry?
The dates for 2028 entry are not published1Darwin High · 12 October 2026 · Not published. Last round, applications closed in early September, with tests the following week.
| Last round, 2027 entry | Date |
|---|---|
| All select entry applications closed | 4 September 20261Darwin High · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Year 7 SOHP testing, one 3 pm session each | 8–10 September 20262Darwin High · 14 October 2026 · Published |
| Year 10 C4E mathematics test | 8 September 20261Darwin High · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Year 10 C4E science test | 10 September 20261Darwin High · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Year 10 SOHP English test | 11 September 20261Darwin High · 12 October 2026 · Published |
Late registrations are not accepted, so the closing date matters most. 1Darwin High · 13 October 2026 · Published
Where is Darwin High, and how do families contact it?
Darwin High School is at 10 Atkins Drive, Bullocky Point, The Gardens NT 08201Darwin High · 13 October 2026 · Published. It has two front offices: one for the middle years and one for the senior years.
| Darwin High School | Details |
|---|---|
| Suburb | The Gardens NT 08201Darwin High · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Years 7 to 9 front office | Goyder Road, (08) 8942 52001Darwin High · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| Years 10 to 12 front office | Atkins Drive, (08) 8999 12221Darwin High · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| Office hours | 7:30 am to 3:30 pm on school days1Darwin High · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| Website | https://darwinhigh.nt.edu.au/1Darwin High · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Registration | online through CompassTix4Darwin High · 13 October 2026 · Published |
For bus routes and travel time from your home, use your own map app with the address. Ask the front office about anything the website doesn't cover.
Can children practise for Darwin High's tests?
Not with official material: practice papers and sample questions are not published1Darwin High · 13 October 2026 · Not published. The school gives fees, documents and dates only.
What the school does ask for is clear: reports, NAPLAN results and a registration on time. Keep the week of the test ordinary, with sleep and a calm afternoon before a 3 pm session. Your child is more than one test.
Is there a cut-off score for Darwin High?
Is Darwin High a fit for your child?
It suits children who want to stretch themselves in a subject they love. Use the checklist to think it through with your child.
SOHP covers Mathematics, Science, English and Humanities2Darwin High · 13 October 2026 · Published, and your child wants more challenge in them.
For Year 10 C4E, the school looks for students with demonstrated aptitude in Mathematics and Science3Darwin High · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Your child enjoys literature and could keep up a high level of performance to stay in the program4Darwin High · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Dance or band is the passion: that route is an audition, not a test1Darwin High · 13 October 2026 · Published.
A vocational path suits better: the Centre for Skills and Training has no entrance test; entry by Expression of Interest1Darwin High · 13 October 2026 · Published.
The journey to The Gardens each day works for your family.
Questions parents ask about Darwin High School
Is Darwin High a selective school?
It is a high school with 51Darwin High · 12 October 2026 · Published select entry programs. Each program has its own entry, and some need a test.
How much does the Darwin High test cost?
The SOHP test costs A$102Darwin High · 12 October 2026 · Published to sit, and the C4E tests also cost A$103Darwin High · 13 October 2026 · Published.
What if we miss the closing date?
You can't register late. The school's rule is one closing date for every program, and no late registrations1Darwin High · 13 October 2026 · Published, so watch the website well before last round's early-September close.
Can my child join SOHP in Year 8?
Rarely from outside. Entry in Years 8 and 9 is generally not by external application2Darwin High · 12 October 2026 · Published.
Do other states have selective schools?
Yes, most states run selective entry, with their own tests and ages. Compare selective tests in every state.