What is "selective school"

n. (context education English) A school that admits students on the basis of their academic achievements.

A selective school is a school that admits students on the basis of some sort of selection criteria, usually academic. The term may have different connotations in different systems. The opposite is a comprehensive school, which accepts all students, regardless of aptitude. The split between selective and comprehensive education is mainly seen at secondary level; primary education is rarely selective. At the university level, selection is almost universal, though some institutions practice open admissions or open-door enrollment allowing students to attend regardless of prior qualification.

Selective schools in New South Wales, Australia are government high schools operated by the New South Wales Department of Education and Communities that have accepted their students based upon their academic merit. Each year, approximately 13,000 Year 6 students from across the state of New South Wales optionally undertake the Selective High Schools Test to seek one of the 3,600 places offered for first-year entry into selective high schools. For Years 8 to 12 entry into selective schools, students do not take an external test, but apply directly to a school for entry. The application package is common to all government selective schools, with internal selection committees considering applications each year in August–September.