Chatswood Public School OC: Opportunity Class Guide

Chatswood Public School hosts an Opportunity Class (OC) — a two-year gifted-education program for high-potential students in Years 5 and 6 — and is one of the best-known OC schools in Sydney's Lower North Shore. Entry is by the OC Placement Test. If Chatswood is on your child's list, here's an honest profile and a clear explanation of how OC entry works.

School Snapshot

• Type: NSW public primary school (K–6) hosting Opportunity Classes
• OC program: Years 5–6
• Location: Centennial Avenue, Chatswood, in Sydney's Lower North Shore
• Enrolment: more than 1,000 students
• Established: 1883
• Motto: "Fortiter"

What the OC Class Is Like

Chatswood Public School is a large, very multicultural school — about 93% of students come from a language background other than English — with a whole-school focus on high potential and gifted education. It runs two Opportunity Classes and a Korean bilingual program. An OC is a distinct academic class within the school, not a separate school — your child joins in Year 5 and continues in the OC to the end of Year 6.

How OC Entry Works

The OC Placement Test — Year 4 for Year 5 entry

For 2027 entry, Chatswood Public School offers 30 Year 5 opportunity-class places, according to the NSW Department of Education (15 boys and 15 girls). Children apply in Year 4 and sit the OC Placement Test, with places offered for Year 5 the following year. The test is computer-based and covers:

• Reading
• Mathematical Reasoning
• Thinking Skills

You nominate up to four OC schools in order of preference on the one application — one more than the selective high school test allows. Preference order never changes your chances at any single school; it only decides which offer you receive if your child qualifies for more than one.

The 2027 gender balance change applies to OC

From the 2027 intake, OC places are split equally between boys and girls, so Chatswood's 30 places are offered as roughly 15 to boys and 15 to girls, with each competing within their own half (any leftover place goes on academic merit). This does not change how your child is assessed — the OC Placement Test is identical for everyone.

Getting There

The school is at Centennial Avenue, Chatswood, in Sydney's Lower North Shore, served by Chatswood station on the T1 line and Sydney Metro. As OC classes are not zoned like a local primary, families travel in from across the area.

What a Competitive Application Looks Like

There's no published cut-off, so aim for a strong, balanced result across all three sections of the OC test. A lopsided result — strong maths but weaker Reading or Thinking Skills — can be overtaken by a more even performer. The most reliable preparation is consistent practice with realistic, OC-style questions in the same computer-based format used on test day.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Opportunity Class?

A two-year class (Years 5 and 6) in a public primary school for high-potential and gifted students, entered by the OC Placement Test. Your child stays in the OC for both years.

How many OC places does Chatswood have?

30 Year 5 places for 2027 entry (15 boys, 15 girls).

What score do you need to get in?

There's no officially published cut-off, and any specific number online is an unofficial estimate. Entry is decided by OC Placement Test performance.

How many OC schools can you apply for?

Up to four, in order of preference, on the one application. Order doesn't affect your chances at any single school.

Does the OC test include writing?

No. The OC Placement Test covers Reading, Mathematical Reasoning and Thinking Skills. (Writing is part of the selective high school test, not the OC test.)

Related reading

• OC test dates 2028
• How OC placement scores are calculated
• The OC reserve list explained
• Find OC schools near you in NSW

Prepare for the OC Test with AcePath

Whichever OC schools you're aiming for, the OC Placement Test decides your child's options. Start with a free AcePath sample quiz to see where they stand in Reading, Mathematical Reasoning and Thinking Skills, then build an exam-ready routine with our OC practice test packs, which mirror the real computer-based format used on test day.