Aberfoyle Park High School: how IGNITE entry works
Independent. Not affiliated with Aberfoyle Park High School, the SA Department for Education or ACER.
Aberfoyle Park High School runs IGNITE as a Year 7 to Year 101Aberfoyle Park · 12 October 2026 · Published program for gifted students, open regardless of zone1Aberfoyle Park · 12 October 2026 · Published. Entry is through the ACER test, next on 20 February 20272Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published for Year 7 entry in 2028.
How does IGNITE entry to Aberfoyle Park work?
Through ACER's online portal and the IGNITE test. You apply through ACER's HAST portal3ACER · 12 October 2026 · Published and choose Aberfoyle Park's IGNITE entry, and you can apply to only one IGNITE school. 2Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published
Set up on ACER's portal
On the portal you create a parent account, add your child, then choose Apply for HAST3ACER · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Pick Aberfoyle Park
Select Aberfoyle Park's IGNITE entry from the list. Children are encouraged to sit at the school you most want2Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published.
Results by email
Results come by email; families shouldn't contact the school or ACER about them4The Heights · 13 October 2026 · Published, and places go on the ACER results.
Does your address matter for IGNITE at Aberfoyle Park?
No. Aberfoyle Park says its IGNITE program is open regardless of zone1Aberfoyle Park · 12 October 2026 · Published.
That is the clearest zone rule of the three IGNITE schools. The Heights limits out-of-zone IGNITE places to 405The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published. Glenunga is under a Capacity Management Plan6Glenunga · 13 October 2026 · Published and doesn't say how zone applies to IGNITE.
What is different about IGNITE at Aberfoyle Park?
Aberfoyle Park teaches IGNITE through big-picture themes that stretch across subjects1Aberfoyle Park · 13 October 2026 · Published, with music and languages built in. The core subjects are English, Mathematics, Science and Humanities1Aberfoyle Park · 12 October 2026 · Published.
Big ideas across subjects
Stretch and support
The program gives extension and support to suit each student's strengths and needs1Aberfoyle Park · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Specialist music
IGNITE includes a two-year specialist music program1Aberfoyle Park · 12 October 2026 · Published, with the chance to learn an instrument.
How long does IGNITE run at Aberfoyle Park?
IGNITE runs from Year 7 to Year 101Aberfoyle Park · 12 October 2026 · Published. After that, students move into the senior years with the rest of the school.
| Years | What Aberfoyle Park offers |
|---|---|
| Year 7 to Year 10 | IGNITE, with music and big-picture themes 1Aberfoyle Park · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Years 11 and 12 | The IB Diploma: the Department lists Aberfoyle Park, Glenunga, Norwood International and Roma Mitchell Secondary College8SA Education · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| Languages into the senior years | Spanish and Japanese, to Stage 1 and Stage 27Aberfoyle Park · 13 October 2026 · Published |
What else does Aberfoyle Park offer?
IGNITE is one program inside a big school, so there is more for your child to grow into. The school says IGNITE offers academic and personal development for life beyond school1Aberfoyle Park · 13 October 2026 · Published, with room to develop academic gifts alongside fundamental life skills1Aberfoyle Park · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Performing arts
Alongside IGNITE's music, the school has a performing arts centre with a stage and audio visual facilities7Aberfoyle Park · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Coding and making
Its facilities include a programming and robotics workshop7Aberfoyle Park · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Wellbeing
There is a student wellbeing team that supports students and families7Aberfoyle Park · 13 October 2026 · Published.
The IGNITE page also links to the IGNITE curriculum for each year level1Aberfoyle Park · 13 October 2026 · Published. Read it with your child, and ask the IGNITE team how the extras fit around the program.
When are Aberfoyle Park's IGNITE dates for the 2028 intake?
The IGNITE test is on 20 February 20272Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published, and registrations open 2 November 20262Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published. Aberfoyle Park also runs an information evening for the 2028 intake (register interest on the school's site)1Aberfoyle Park · 13 October 2026 · Published.
2 November 20262Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published
Registrations open on ACER's portal
Before then, you can join an IGNITE email list families can join1Aberfoyle Park · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Not published2Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Not published
Registrations close
no late applications2Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published.
20 February 20272Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published
The IGNITE test
Sat at Aberfoyle Park if it is your chosen school.
What is the IGNITE test like?
It is the same ACER assessment at all three IGNITE schools, sat on paper. Glenunga says the four parts take about 32Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published hours with a break.
| Part | Minutes, last round |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 455The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Mathematical Reasoning | 405The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Abstract Reasoning | 305The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published |
| Written Expression | 255The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published |
ACER says the test checks skills and aptitude, not retrieved knowledge9ACER HAST · 13 October 2026 · Published. Asked whether a child needs coaching, ACER says it is not needed10ACER HAST parents · 13 October 2026 · Published, and its advice is to read widely and think critically10ACER HAST parents · 13 October 2026 · Published.
After you register, sample questions come with the registration letter5The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published. Read what is in each IGNITE paper.
Where is Aberfoyle Park, and how do families get there?
Aberfoyle Park High School is at 36A Taylors Road, Aberfoyle Park SA 515911Aberfoyle Park · 12 October 2026 · Published, in the foothills of southern Adelaide, within 30 minutes of the city centre7Aberfoyle Park · 13 October 2026 · Published. Plan your commute opens the address in your own map app.
The school is next to the Aberfoyle Hub Centre, with easy public transport access7Aberfoyle Park · 13 October 2026 · Published. It also shares the Happy Valley Sports Complex, the Hub Recreation Centre and the local council library7Aberfoyle Park · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Is there a cut-off score or a set number of IGNITE places?
Neither is published. The score needed for an IGNITE offer is not published2Glenunga · 13 October 2026 · Not published, and Aberfoyle Park's yearly IGNITE intake is not published2Glenunga · 13 October 2026 · Not published.
ACER says each school's own criteria may not rest entirely on the test results10ACER HAST parents · 13 October 2026 · Published. If the numbers matter to your decision, ask the IGNITE team directly. 1Aberfoyle Park · 13 October 2026 · Published
What does Aberfoyle Park say about itself?
Aberfoyle Park describes itself as one of the largest secondary schools in South Australia7Aberfoyle Park · 13 October 2026 · Published, with the values Respect, Care and Compassion, and Honesty7Aberfoyle Park · 13 October 2026 · Published. We link to its pages and are not part of the school.
Its website also carries a welcome in Simplified Chinese1Aberfoyle Park · 13 October 2026 · Published, which Chinese-speaking families may find useful.
- IGNITE program: the program and registration links
- Our school: setting, facilities and mission
- Contact: phone 08 8270 445511Aberfoyle Park · 13 October 2026 · Published
Is Aberfoyle Park a good fit for your child?
Use these to talk it through together. Nothing is saved or sent.
Your child would enjoy themes that cross subjects rather than racing ahead in one. 1Aberfoyle Park · 13 October 2026 · Published
Your child would enjoy two years of specialist music, instrument and all. 1Aberfoyle Park · 12 October 2026 · Published
Learning another language sounds good to your child. 1Aberfoyle Park · 13 October 2026 · Published
A large school in Adelaide's southern foothills suits your family. 7Aberfoyle Park · 13 October 2026 · Published
Your child would enjoy coding, robotics or the stage outside class. 7Aberfoyle Park · 13 October 2026 · Published
The trip works at school times, by car or public transport.
Your child wants to go, and sitting the test feels manageable.
Questions parents ask about Aberfoyle Park
Is Aberfoyle Park High School public or private?
Public. It is a government school, part of the Department for Education1Aberfoyle Park · 13 October 2026 · Published, and the Department has it listed for IGNITE selection8SA Education · 12 October 2026 · Published.
Can we apply to Aberfoyle Park and Glenunga?
Not both for IGNITE. Families apply through ACER's HAST portal3ACER · 12 October 2026 · Published and may choose one school only. 2Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published
Does my child have to live nearby?
No. The IGNITE program is open regardless of zone1Aberfoyle Park · 12 October 2026 · Published.
What if my child doesn't get an IGNITE offer?
If no offer is made, a child may be offered a place on the waiting list5The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published. ACER says the test is built to challenge high achievers, so missing a place doesn't mean your child did badly12ACER · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Who do I contact about IGNITE at Aberfoyle Park?
Email the IGNITE team at APHS.Ignite447@schools.sa.edu.au1Aberfoyle Park · 13 October 2026 · Published, or call the school on 08 8270 445511Aberfoyle Park · 13 October 2026 · Published.