Harrisdale Senior High School is proud to be recognised as one of sixteen select schools in Western Australia delivering the Department of Education’s Gifted and Talented Selective program.
Our specialised academic pathway offers enriching, challenging opportunities that spark curiosity and foster advanced skills in critical thinking, inquiry, and problem solving—empowering students to go beyond the traditional classroom experience.
Our program offers a personalised, differentiated curriculum designed to challenge and inspire gifted and talented students through meaningful academic extension. Beyond the classroom, we nurture a vibrant community where students connect with like-minded peers, collaborate on shared interests, and grow together. Dedicated learning spaces provide a supportive environment for focused study, peer interaction, and guidance from teachers.
While academic excellence is central, we place equal importance on wellbeing, emotional intelligence, and personal development—ensuring students are supported holistically to thrive, seek help when needed, and build lasting resilience.
Our program is underpinned by robust research and reflects a strong commitment to excellence in gifted education. Guided by the principles of the Gifted Education Research Resource Information Centre (GERRIC) at UNSW, we collaborate with leading experts such as Kylie Bice and Dr Jane Genovese to ensure our approach remains current and effective. Our teachers, extensively trained in gifted education, bring genuine passion to their practice and continuously deepen their expertise through targeted professional learning.
Entry into the Gifted and Talented (GAT) program at Harrisdale Senior High School is based solely on performance in the Academic Selective Entrance Test (ASET). This assessment, to be taken by students in Year 6, is the pathway into all Gifted and Talented Selective Academic Programs across WA.
The ASET consists of four equally weighted components: Reading Comprehension, Written Expression, Quantitative Reasoning, and Abstract Reasoning. It is held in Term 1 each year and administered at multiple venues, including Harrisdale SHS.
Eligible students may apply from outside our local intake area, and offers are issued in rounds from late Term 2 through to the end of the year—based on ASET results and school preferences listed during application.
Final acceptance into the program requires families to complete a standard enrolment application via our school’s front reception. While Harrisdale SHS may host testing, the Gifted and Talented Selection Branch manages all marking, ranking, and offers.
Applications for the 2026 intake have now closed. To receive updates and reminders about the 2027 intake, we encourage families to register their interest. For full details, visit the Department of Education’s Gifted and Talented Programs website.
