The Heights School: how IGNITE entry works
Independent. Not affiliated with The Heights School, the SA Department for Education or ACER.
The Heights School in Modbury Heights1The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published selects at most 601The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published IGNITE students a year on ACER results, and up to 402The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published may live out of zone. The next test, for Year 7 entry in 2028, is on 20 February 20273Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published.
How does The Heights choose its IGNITE students?
On ACER results, up to a fixed number each year. The school selects at most 601The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published IGNITE students in each yearly intake, under its Capacity Management Plan.
The Heights calls itself one of three public schools in South Australia with selective entry through IGNITE4The Heights · 13 October 2026 · Published. The others are Glenunga and Aberfoyle Park. 3Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published
Does living out of zone matter for IGNITE at The Heights?
Less than usual, up to a limit. A child selected for IGNITE gets direct entry to The Heights whether or not you live in zone, limited to 402The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published places.
The school doesn't say how that limit is applied when more selected children live out of zone. If that could be your family, ask the IGNITE team before you register. 1The Heights · 13 October 2026 · Published
What kind of school is The Heights?
The Heights is a Reception to Year 12 school of about 1,8002The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published students. It is a Department for Education Special Interest School funded for IGNITE1The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published.
It opened in 1977, as Modbury Heights High School4The Heights · 13 October 2026 · Published. The next year the schools on the site combined into the first metropolitan R-12 school4The Heights · 13 October 2026 · Published.
The Department also lists The Heights for a STEM program with a defence industry focus5SA Education · 13 October 2026 · Published. That program is not a selective entry; only IGNITE is. 5SA Education · 12 October 2026 · Published
How is IGNITE organised at The Heights?
IGNITE allows students to progress at a faster rate that matches their ability1The Heights · 13 October 2026 · Published, but The Heights uses acceleration sparingly. It offers acceleration only in a few subjects, from the end of Year 92The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published.
In Year 7, IGNITE classes are grouped by subject: one class combination for Maths, Science, Technologies and HPE, and another for English, HASS, the Arts and Languages2The Heights · 13 October 2026 · Published.
That makes The Heights different from Glenunga, which sets an Accelerated or Enrichment pathway from Year 8. Compare Glenunga. 3Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published
What is IGNITE test day like at The Heights?
What does registering for IGNITE at The Heights cost?
Last round, registration cost A$1501The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published, paid through ACER's portal. Refunds shrank as the test came closer.
| When you asked | What happened last round |
|---|---|
| Before registrations closed | A A$252The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published fee was kept |
| After close, before the test | A A$502The Heights · 13 October 2026 · Published fee was kept |
| After the test | no refunds after the test date2The Heights · 13 October 2026 · Published |
| School Card holders | check eligibility with the school, which completes the registration without payment2The Heights · 13 October 2026 · Published |
This round's fees and refund rules come with registration. Check them on the portal before you pay. 3Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published
When are The Heights' IGNITE dates for Year 7 in 2028?
The test is on 20 February 20273Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published, and registrations open 2 November 20263Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published. The closing date is not published3Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Not published; last round The Heights closed on 11 February 20261The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published.
Thursday 29 October 2026, 5:00–5:30 pm for prospective families, bookings essential7The Heights · 13 October 2026 · Published
IGNITE information evening at The Heights
The early session is for families thinking about applying.
2 November 20263Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published
Registrations open on ACER's portal
Not published3Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Not published
Registrations close
20 February 20273Glenunga · 12 October 2026 · Published
The IGNITE test
within nine to ten weeks of the test1The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published
Results by email, last round's timing
Last round, offers came early to mid Term 2, possibly in two rounds2The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published.
How do families get to The Heights?
The Heights is at Brunel Drive, Modbury Heights SA 50921The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published, in Adelaide's north-east. Plan your commute opens the address in your own map app.
These school bus routes serve the campus: the 479 school bus from Elizabeth Depot, morning and afternoon8The Heights · 13 October 2026 · Published, and the 929 school bus to Fairview Park, afternoons only8The Heights · 13 October 2026 · Published. Check the current timetable with Adelaide Metro.
Is there a cut-off score for IGNITE at The Heights?
No. The score needed for an IGNITE offer is not published3Glenunga · 13 October 2026 · Not published, and the yearly limit of 601The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published is a maximum, not a promise to fill.
ACER says each school's own criteria may not rest entirely on the test results9ACER HAST parents · 13 October 2026 · Published. A child who isn't offered a place may be offered a place on the waiting list2The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published.
Is The Heights a good fit for your child?
Talk these through together; nothing is saved or sent.
A Reception to Year 12 campus, with younger and older students around, suits your family. 2The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published
Your child would be happy with acceleration kept to a few subjects, later on. 2The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published
The trip to Modbury Heights works, by car or school bus. 8The Heights · 13 October 2026 · Published
If you live out of zone, you've asked how the out-of-zone limit works. 2The Heights · 12 October 2026 · Published
You've booked the information evening or visited the school. 7The Heights · 13 October 2026 · Published
Questions parents ask about The Heights
Is The Heights a public school?
Yes. It is a government school, run by the Department for Education1The Heights · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Is every student at The Heights selected by test?
No. Only IGNITE places come from the ACER test; The Heights is a local Reception to Year 12 school for everyone else. 4The Heights · 13 October 2026 · Published
What did IGNITE used to be called?
IGNITE students were previously known as Students with High Intellectual Potential, or Gifted and Talented1The Heights · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Should we call the school about results?
No. The Heights says results come by email; families shouldn't contact the school or ACER about them1The Heights · 13 October 2026 · Published.
Who do I contact about IGNITE at The Heights?
Email the IGNITE team at dl.1430.ignite@schools.sa.edu.au1The Heights · 13 October 2026 · Published. Portal problems go to the ACER HAST team at hast@acer.org1The Heights · 13 October 2026 · Published.