Rowing
Not only for school but for life.

Special Entry Programs

Each year, Adelaide High School offers entry to a select number of students through our Special Entry Programs who do not live in the school zone. Please check the school zone area you live in here.

There are four Special Entry Programs on offer at Adelaide High School for students commencing in Year 7, 2025.

  • Language program accepts 60 students
  • Rowing program accepts 15 students
  • Cricket program accepts 15 students
  • Centre for Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

Each program requires a separate application process for each application lodged. The Department for Education oversees final approval of the students selected in these programs. There is no appeal process.

Applications for the Special Entry programs for 2025 are now open until Friday 5 April, 2024. Applications for the language, cricket and rowing programs apply here.

For more information about enrolment for the Centre for Deaf and Hard of Hearing, please contact dl.0768.office@schools.sa.edu.au

Adelaide High School is South Australia’s only Special Interest Language School.

Language learning underpins effective intercultural communication and enables deep and authentic global citizenship. Adelaide High School has a vibrant language learning culture that provides students with the opportunity to develop world class communications skills and engage authentically with the wider global community where multilingualism is the norm.

Students applying for Special Language Entry are selected on the basis of:

  • An online application that requires students and parents to respond to a set of questions giving the opportunity to explain reasons for wishing to join the Special Interest Language program.
  • Submission of school reports and other relevant information to support the application. This should be done at the time of submitting the application.
  • An interview.
  • A commitment to study two languages offered at AHS until year 10 and at least one language offered at AHS until the end of SACE Stage 2 level.

Adelaide High School offers the following languages at the SACE level:

  • Auslan Continuers
  • Chinese Background
  • Chinese Continuers*
  • Italian Continuers
  • French Continuers
  • German Continuers
  • Japanese Continuers*
  • Modern Greek Continuers
  • Spanish Continuers

*Please be aware that Chinese Continuers and Japanese Continuers have SACE Eligibility Criteria. Please note that if you have attended school in Japan for one year or more, then you are NOT eligible for the Japanese Continuers course and you would need to study the Japanese Background course. Currently the Japanese Background course is not available at AHS. For further details about eligibility please refer to the link below:

Eligibility for enrolment - languages at continuers level (06) - South Australian Certificate of Education (sace.sa.edu.au)

Applications for 2025 special entry close on Friday 5 April 2024.

The Adelaide High School Cricket Program provides the opportunity for talented cricketers from outside the school zone to enrol at the school. Students will be selected based on:

  • An online written application by the student
  • Current school report
  • Reference from a cricket coach
  • Practical skills assessment and video/vision of students playing

Shortlisted students will be offered an interview and successful students commit themselves to the Cricket Program during the period of their enrolment at Adelaide High School. All applicants will be required to attend a skill assessment on Monday 8 April 2024 at Adelaide Oval.

Their involvement in cricket takes precedence over their involvement in other sports; however, they are actively encouraged to participate in a different winter sport.

The Cricket Program is also available to all students who are enrolled at Adelaide High School and who have a passion for cricket.

Note: additional fees apply to students enrolled in the Cricket Program.

Applications for 2025 special entry close on Friday 5 April 2024.

As one of only three public high schools in South Australia competing in rowing, students have the opportunity to participate in a truly unique sport.

Adelaide High School has a proud rowing tradition, which started in 1911. In 1922, St Peter’s College challenged Adelaide High School to a race in eights on the River Torrens. The race was won by Adelaide High School, and so began the annual Head of the River Regatta, which has grown into SA’s largest championship regatta.

Students from Years 7 -12 actively train and represent Adelaide High School in regattas, culminating in the Head of the River.

The Adelaide High School Rowing Program incorporates a talent identification selection process whereby students from outside the school zone can apply to enrol at the School. Students will be selected based on:

  • An online written application by the student
  • Current school report
  • A practical skills assessment

All applicants will be required to attend a skill assessment on Monday 8 April 2024 at Adelaide Oval.

Shortlisted students will be offered an interview and successful students commit themselves to the Rowing Program during the period of their enrolment at Adelaide High School. Their involvement in rowing takes precedence over their involvement in other sports; however, they are actively encouraged to participate in a different winter sport.

Parents of students involved in the rowing program are expected to participate in supporting their child at all events and ensuring their child attends all training programs.

The Rowing Program is also available to all students enrolled at Adelaide High School. A Come and Try Rowing Program is offered in Term 3 when students can express their interest and trial the sport in a co-curricular capacity. Successful students can then join the Rowing Program.

For further information, please read our Rowing Brochure.

Applications for 2025 special entry close on Friday 5 April 2024.

Students with moderate or greater bilateral hearing loss verified by audiologists can enrol in the Centre. Applications from students are reviewed and considered by a Sensory Panel in the Department for Education. Further information about the Centre for Deaf and Hard of Hearing can be found here.

For more information about enrolment please contact dl.0768.office@schools.sa.edu.au