Opportunity Class (OC)
Our school offers mainstream classes and a Stage 3 opportunity class program. Opportunity classes are for high potential and gifted students in Years 5 and 6, selected through the Department of Education's Selective Education Team.
Opportunity classes are one of the ways that the department supports high potential and gifted students.
Welcome to our Opportunity Class (OC)
The NSW Department of Education made changes to increase the number of public schools that have opportunity classes in NSW for 2025 placement. Maroubra Junction PS started one opportunity class in 2025, consisting of fifteen Year 5 students. Fifteen new students are accepted in Year 5 each year, with fifteen students continuing in Year 6. From 2026, there will be 30 students in the class.
Testimonials from OC Students
The OC at MJPS is amazing! I previously did not have a lot of friends at school but the OC helped me make loads of brilliant friends! Also, the work I did previously was too easy. Now, the work is perfectly challenging (in a good way!) The OC here is a fun and educational experience that I would definitely recommend!
- Cheyanne, Year 5 2025
Being in the OC is a very fun and enjoyable experience and is a great way to meet others like you - to push and challenge yourself to find the things you love. It is a safe learning environment and a place for us all to grow and learn to our best abilities. You also get to learn from all the other talented students around you. You also get to explore lots of different paths that you don't get a chance to learn in a normal class.
- Isabella, Year 5 2025
The MJPS OC has been a wonderful experience for me. It is a fun and educational class for highly gifted students to expand on their learning. The OC challenges students to the best of their ability. I have found that the class is much more exciting than other classes. In the OC, there are many more fun learning activities that other students don't do. Moving schools was hard at first but, fortunately, I made some good friends.
- Oliver, Year 5 2025
Students who come here were often not challenged in their old environments, but the OC has plenty of challenges to overcome and have lots of fun and excitement in the process. Not only are there challenging academic activities, but extracurricular and special projects make up a large portion of our learning. The OC at MJPS is project-based and engaging. Like many of my peers, I came from a different school, but everyone was so warm and welcoming, they made me feel right at home.
- Max, Year 5 2025
Benefits of attending our opportunity class
- Students learn with classmates who have similar academic ability.
- Teachers use special teaching methods to move students through the curriculum at a faster pace and in more depth.
- Students tell us they love learning with other like-minded students.
Opportunity class students also take part in our regular extra-curricular activities like sports, arts, music and clubs.
You can apply to our opportunity class even if our school is outside your local enrolment area.
Is an opportunity class the right fit for my child?
Talk with your child about this option. Together, look over the information on our website and in the Student Resource Hub.
Your child might have high intellectual potential if they:
- enjoy learning
- are intensely curious
- display a good memory
- ask complex questions
- enjoy learning new and often complex ideas or skills
- require fewer repetitions when learning new things
- are creative
- become intensely focused in their area of interest or passion.
Please note that not all gifted students will show all of these traits. This may be due to disability, disadvantage or lack of opportunity.
Learn more about the department’s High Potential and Gifted Education Policy.
How to apply for entry into our opportunity class
Unlike NSW public schools, there are no intake areas for opportunity classes. Enrolment is by application only. You can apply to up to 4 schools.
Parents apply when students are at the end of Year 3 or the beginning of Year 4 for placement in Year 5. It is a 2-year program (Year 5 to 6). Parents cannot apply for Year 6 placement only.
Visit Selective high school and opportunity class placement
Does my child get automatic entry to a selective high school if they are placed in an opportunity class?
No. You will need to apply separately for selective high school placement when your child is in Year 5 for placement in Year 7.
Learn more at Application process.
Placement for siblings
Entry to opportunity classes is based on a student's academic merit. Therefore, the placement of one sibling does not guarantee the placement of another. Each sibling needs to meet the test performance requirements to receive an offer.
Siblings of students placed in an opportunity class are not guaranteed a non-selective place at the same school, unless they are living within the school's intake area.
Parents may apply to the school as an out-of-area enrolment, but are subject to enrolment eligibility and the school's capacity to accept non-local students.
More information
For more information about opportunity classes visit Selective high schools and opportunity classes.
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