GATE Schools in Western Australia

How GATE School Selection Works

When applying for the GATE exam, parents list their preferred schools in order of preference. After the exam results are released, the Department of Education allocates places based on each student's overall score and their school preferences.

The highest-scoring students receive offers to their first-preference school. If a school fills up, remaining students are considered for their second preference, and so on. Each school has a limited number of GATE places, and the cut-off score varies by school and year.

Perth Modern School is the most competitive, as it is fully selective and has the highest demand. Other schools with GATE programs integrate their selective-entry students within the broader school community.

Fully Selective vs Partial GATE Programs

It is important to understand the distinction between Perth Modern School and the other GATE schools:

Both types of programs provide valuable academic enrichment. The best choice depends on your child's personality, the school's location, its specific program strengths, and whether your child would thrive in a fully selective environment or prefer a mixed setting.

All 24 GATE Schools

Note: The list of participating schools may change. Always verify with the Department of Education for the most current list of schools offering GATE programs.

Choosing the Right School

When listing school preferences for the GATE application, consider the following factors:

• - Location and travel. Consider the daily commute. A nearby school may be a better fit than a distant one, even if the distant school is more prestigious.
• - Program type. Some schools offer specialisations (e.g., John Curtin College of the Arts focuses on creative and performing arts). Consider your child's interests beyond pure academics.
• - School culture. Visit open days when possible. The feel of a school, its values, its community, its approach to student wellbeing, matters as much as its academic results.
• - Realistic expectations. List your most preferred school first, but include realistic alternatives. If your child's practice results suggest Perth Modern may be a stretch, listing several strong alternatives ensures a good outcome regardless.