★ Specialty & excellence schools
Many schools run specialist programs — aviation, health & medical sciences, STEM, sport academies, language immersion, the creative arts, academic-selective entry — that most families never hear about. 185 schools tagged (QLD curated + NSW & VIC specialist/select-entry schools).
Sources: QLD programs © State of Queensland (Dept of Education), CC BY 4.0; NSW specialist & selective schools © NSW Dept of Education; VIC select-entry high schools © State of Victoria. A curated + feed-derived layer — use the ★ specialty filter in the directory to combine it with location, sector and the score.
Academic (Selective)138 schoolsSport Excellence14 schoolsCreative & Performing Arts11 schoolsSTEM & Technology11 schoolsLanguages & Immersion9 schoolsAgriculture5 schoolsMarine & Environmental3 schoolsAviation & Aerospace1 schoolMusic1 schoolHealth & Medical Sciences1 school
Academic (Selective) (138)
- Alexandria Park Community School Alexandria, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- Alstonville Public School Alstonville, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Armidale City Public School Armidale, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Armidale Secondary College Armidale, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- Artarmon Public School Artarmon, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Ashfield Public School Ashfield, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Auburn Girls High School Auburn, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- Aurora College Lindfield, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- Balgowlah Heights Public School Balgowlah, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Balmain Public School Balmain, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Bathurst West Public School Bathurst, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Baulkham Hills High School Baulkham Hills, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- Beecroft Public School Beecroft, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Biraban Public School Toronto, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Blacktown Boys High School Blacktown, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- Blacktown Girls High School Blacktown, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- Blacktown South Public School Blacktown, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Blacktown West Public School Blacktown, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Blaxcell Street Public School Granville, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Blaxland East Public School Blaxland, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Bonnyrigg High School Bonnyrigg, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- Bradbury Public School Bradbury, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Brisbane State High School South Brisbane, QLD — Academic selective-entry places Selective — academic test
- Brookvale Public School Brookvale, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Camden South Public School Camden, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Caringbah High School Caringbah, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- Caringbah North Public School Caringbah, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Casula Public School Casula, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Cessnock West Public School Cessnock, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Chatswood High School Chatswood, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- Chatswood Public School Chatswood, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Colyton Public School Mount Druitt, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Coonabarabran Public School Coonabarabran, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Cudgegong Valley Public School Mudgee, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Dubbo West Public School Dubbo, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Dural Public School Dural, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Earlwood Public School Earlwood, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Elizabeth Macarthur High School Narellan, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- Ermington Public School West Ryde, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School Calala, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- Fort Street High School Petersham, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- Georges Hall Public School Georges Hall, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Girraween High School Girraween, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- Glenbrook Public School Glenbrook, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Goonellabah Public School Goonellabah, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Gorokan High School Lake Haven, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- Gosford High School Gosford, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- Gosford Public School West Gosford, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Goulburn West Public School Goulburn, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Grafton High School Grafton, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- Granville Boys High School Granville, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- Greenacre Public School Greenacre, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Greystanes Public School Greystanes, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Harrington Street Public School Cabramatta, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Holsworthy Public School Holsworthy, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Hornsby Girls High School Hornsby, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- Hurlstone Agricultural High School Glenfield, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- Hurstville Public School Hurstville, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Illaroo Road Public School North Nowra, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Ironbark Ridge Public School Rouse Hill, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- James Ruse Agricultural High School Carlingford, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- Jewells Primary School Jewells, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Karabar High School Queanbeyan, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- Kingswood Public School Kingswood, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Kooringal High School Kooringal, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- Leumeah Public School Leumeah, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Lindfield East Public School East Lindfield, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Lithgow Public School Lithgow, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Macquarie Fields High School Macquarie Fields, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- MacRobertson Girls High School Melbourne, VIC — Select-entry high school (Years 9-12, girls) Selective — academic test
- Maroubra Junction Public School Maroubra, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Maryland Public School Maryland, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Matthew Pearce Public School Baulkham Hills, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Melbourne High School South Yarra, VIC — Select-entry high school (Years 9-12, boys) Selective — academic test
- Merewether High School Broadmeadow, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- Miranda Public School Miranda, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Mona Vale Public School Mona Vale, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Moorebank High School Moorebank, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- Moree Public School Moree, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Moss Vale Public School Moss Vale, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Neutral Bay Public School Neutral Bay, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- New Lambton South Public School New Lambton, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Newbridge Heights Public School Chipping Norton, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Normanhurst Boys High School Normanhurst, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- North Rocks Public School North Rocks, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- North Sydney Boys High School North Sydney, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- North Sydney Girls High School Crows Nest, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- Northern Beaches Secondary College Manly Campus North Curl Curl, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- Nossal High School Berwick, VIC — Select-entry high school (Years 9-12, co-ed) Selective — academic test
- Parramatta High School Parramatta, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- Peel High School Tamworth, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- Penrith High School Penrith, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- Penrith Public School Penrith, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Picnic Point Public School Picnic Point, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Port Macquarie Public School Port Macquarie, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Prairiewood High School Prairiewood, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- Quakers Hill Public School Quakers Hill, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Queanbeyan South Public School Queanbeyan, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Richmond High School Richmond, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- Richmond Public School Richmond, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Rose Bay Secondary College Dover Heights, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- Rutherford Public School Rutherford, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Ryde Public School Ryde, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Ryde Secondary College Ryde, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- Sefton High School Sefton, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- Smithfield Public School Smithfield, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Smiths Hill High School Wollongong, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- Soldiers Point Public School Soldiers Point, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- South Grafton Public School South Grafton, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- St Andrews Public School St Andrews, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- St Clair Public School St Clair, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- St George Girls High School Kogarah, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- St Johns Park Public School St Johns Park, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Sturt Public School Wagga Wagga, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Summer Hill Public School Summer Hill, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Sutherland Public School Sutherland, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Suzanne Cory High School Werribee, VIC — Select-entry high school (Years 9-12, co-ed) Selective — academic test
- Sydney Boys High School Moore Park, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- Sydney Girls High School Surry Hills, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- Sydney Secondary College Balmain Campus Rozelle, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- Sydney Secondary College Blackwattle Bay Campus Glebe, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- Sydney Secondary College Leichhardt Campus Leichhardt, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- Sydney Technical High School Bexley, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- Tahmoor Public School Tahmoor, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Tamworth Public School Tamworth, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Tamworth South Public School Tamworth, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Tempe High School Tempe, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
- Tighes Hill Public School Tighes Hill, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Toongabbie Public School Toongabbie, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Toormina Public School Toormina, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Wahroonga Public School Wahroonga, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Waitara Public School Wahroonga, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Wentworth Falls Public School Wentworth Falls, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Wilkins Public School Marrickville, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Wollongong Public School Wollongong, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Woollahra Public School Woollahra, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Wyong Public School Wyong, NSW — Opportunity Class (gifted primary) Selective — academic test
- Yanco Agricultural High School Yanco, NSW — Academically selective entry Selective — academic test
Sport Excellence (14)
- Alexandra Hills State High School Alexandra Hills, QLD — Basketball Academy Capped program places
- Brisbane State High School South Brisbane, QLD — Sporting selective entry — AFL, cricket, football, rugby, netball, rowing & more By trial / selection
- Cavendish Road State High School Holland Park, QLD — Sporting excellence programs By trial / selection
- Endeavour Sports High School Caringbah, NSW — Sports specialist school By application
- Hunter Sports High School Gateshead, NSW — Sports specialist school By application
- Illawarra Sports High School Berkeley, NSW — Sports specialist school By application
- Kelvin Grove State College Kelvin Grove, QLD — Sport Excellence — football, golf, tennis, volleyball By trial / selection
- Kirwan State High School Kirwan, QLD — Rugby League Academy (NRL pathway) By trial / selection
- Matraville Sports High School Chifley, NSW — Sports specialist school By application
- Narrabeen Sports High School North Narrabeen, NSW — Sports specialist school By application
- Southport State High School Southport, QLD — Excellence Programs (multiple sports) By trial / selection
- Stretton State College Stretton, QLD — Football, Volleyball & Touch Football Academies of Excellence Capped program places
- The Hills Sports High School Seven Hills, NSW — Sports specialist school By application
- Westfields Sports High School Fairfield West, NSW — Sports specialist school By application
Creative & Performing Arts (11)
- Campbelltown Performing Arts High School Campbelltown, NSW — Performing Arts specialist school By application
- Conservatorium High School Sydney, NSW — Performing Arts specialist school By application
- Dulwich High School of Visual Arts and Design Dulwich Hill, NSW — Visual Arts specialist school By application
- Granville South Creative and Performing Arts High School Guildford, NSW — Performing Arts specialist school By application
- Hunter School of Performing Arts Broadmeadow, NSW — Performing Arts specialist school By application
- Kelvin Grove State College Kelvin Grove, QLD — Dance Centre of Excellence By trial / selection
- Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School Emu Plains, NSW — Performing Arts specialist school By application
- Newtown High School of Performing Arts Newtown, NSW — Performing Arts specialist school By application
- Northmead Creative and Performing Arts High School Northmead, NSW — Performing Arts specialist school By application
- Queensland Academy for Creative Industries Kelvin Grove, QLD — IB Diploma, creative industries (QUT partner) Selective — academic test
- Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts Fairy Meadow, NSW — Performing Arts specialist school By application
STEM & Technology (11)
- Alexandra Hills State High School Alexandra Hills, QLD — Automation & Robotics Centre of Excellence Capped program places
- Doonside High School Doonside, NSW — Technology specialist school By application
- East Hills Girls Technology High School Panania, NSW — Technology specialist school By application
- Glendale Technology High School Glendale, NSW — Technology specialist school By application
- Gymea Technology High School Gymea, NSW — Technology specialist school By application
- John Monash Science School Clayton, VIC — Select-entry STEM specialist school (Monash University partner) Selective — academic test
- John Paul College Daisy Hill, QLD — IT, natural sciences, performing arts & sport specialisms; 9 VET certificates Independent (fee-paying)
- Keira High School Fairy Meadow, NSW — Technology specialist school By application
- Miller High School Miller, NSW — Technology specialist school By application
- Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology Toowong, QLD — IB Diploma, STEM focus (University of Queensland partner) Selective — academic test
- Rutherford Technology High School Rutherford, NSW — Technology specialist school By application
Languages & Immersion (9)
- Blakehurst High School Blakehurst, NSW — Language specialist school By application
- Kenmore State High School Kenmore, QLD — German Immersion Program (incl. exchange) By application
- Kirrawee High School Kirrawee, NSW — Language specialist school By application
- Mansfield State High School Mansfield, QLD — French Immersion Program of Excellence By application
- NSW School of Languages Petersham, NSW — Language specialist school By application
- Prairiewood High School Prairiewood, NSW — Language specialist school By application
- Secondary College of Languages Parramatta, NSW — Language specialist school By application
- Strathfield Girls High School Strathfield, NSW — Language specialist school By application
- Tempe High School Tempe, NSW — Language specialist school By application
Agriculture (5)
- Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School Calala, NSW — Agricultural specialist school By application
- Hurlstone Agricultural High School Glenfield, NSW — Agricultural specialist school By application
- James Ruse Agricultural High School Carlingford, NSW — Agricultural specialist school By application
- Richmond Agricultural Centre Richmond, NSW — Agricultural specialist school By application
- Yanco Agricultural High School Yanco, NSW — Agricultural specialist school By application
Marine & Environmental (3)
- Coorparoo Secondary College Coorparoo, QLD — Marine Studies Centre of Excellence Capped program places
- Eden Marine High School Eden, NSW — Marine Technology specialist school By application
- Sunshine Beach State High School Sunshine Beach, QLD — Surfing Centre of Excellence Capped program places
Aviation & Aerospace (1)
- Aviation High Hendra, QLD — Take Flight aviation & Aerospace Engineering; P-TECH data analytics Capped program places
Music (1)
- Gympie State High School Gympie, QLD — Country Music Centre of Excellence Capped program places
Health & Medical Sciences (1)
- Queensland Academy for Health Sciences Southport, QLD — IB Diploma, health & medical sciences (Griffith University partner) Selective — academic test