Foundation

At what age do you enrol for Foundation?

We do not offer early entry. We offer entry from school commencement age, and place according to their ability.

For example, if a student is ready for Year 1 Mathematics, they will be able to access the Year 1 Mathematics class while remaining in the Foundation class for other subjects. For each Foundation intake, the applicant must be 4 years and 6 months old by the 30th of April the year they commence at Dara (see Enrolment Intake Application Timelines table below for dates). If they will be older than 5 years old, please see the Years 1-12 Applications page.

International Applications

We do not accept international students at this time. If the student is not an Australian citizen, they will need a residential visa, not a student visa (500). New Zealand citizens may apply as domestic but must still supply a copy of their visa. For more information, please contact us.

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, 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
  • OR at least two of the following:
    • Verbal Comprehension in the 97th percentile or higher.
    • Visual Spatial in the 97th percentile or higher.
    • Fluid Reasoning in the 97th percentile or higher.

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.

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.

Enrolment Intake Application Timelines

31st March 2024 – Applications close

April 2024 – Review of applications

May 2024 – Interviews & Offers of Enrolment

June 2024 – Welcome Packs & Transition Days

23rd July 2024 – First day at Dara

The Application Journey

All applications must go through the same Application Journey. Please apply for the intake for which you wish to be considered, as there is no waitlist and enrolment is not deferred except in exceptional circumstances. Siblings will also need to go through the ordinary application process and will not be prioritised.

Application Form

Interviews

Offers of Enrolment

Welcome Packs

Transition Program

Apply Now

Additional Questions

When are school tours?

A limited number of information evenings are scheduled for 2024. Otherwise, for a “feel” of the school, please view our Video Tour. If you have any questions, please contact us.

Can I make a time to see the Principal?

Unfortunately, Dr McInnes is unable to see every family who enquires about the school. You are welcome to contact us with any questions you have.

Will you offer an Early Learning Centre?

No, we do not offer Early Learning Education and it is not part of the school’s plan to establish an Early Learning Centre at this stage.

Do you recommend a particular pre-school? Alternatively, is there a particular school you would recommend if we don’t receive an offer of enrolment from Dara?

We are the only R-12 Gifted Education school in Australia, and we are structured at every level around a student-driven model and subject-based ability grouping. Because of this, we are quite unique. Comparisons to other schools will vary depending on the aspects of the learning environment which are most important to your child and your family. We do not have a special relationship with any pre-schools or other schools locally.