Online School Application System Open To More Wicklow Families

Kilcoole's Coláiste Chraobh Abhann joins three Greystones schools in the expanded Apply to School scheme.

Families in Kilcoole and Greystones can now apply for first-year school places through a single online form.

Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton has welcomed the launch of the expanded 'Apply to School' admissions system, which opened on October 1st.

Applications for the 2027/2028 admissions cycle close on Thursday, 22 October.

Four Wicklow Schools Taking Part

Coláiste Chraobh Abhann in Kilcoole is the newest Wicklow school to join the initiative, with three Greystones schools already on the platform: St David's Holy Faith Secondary School, Temple Carrig Secondary School and Greystones Community College. All three took part in last year's pilot.

Parents and guardians apply through applytoschool.ie. The system aims to make applying for first-year places simpler and more streamlined.

From Pilot To Expansion

The platform was first introduced in 2025 across 15 schools in Athenry, Celbridge, Greystones, Clonakilty and Tullamore. It has grown to 22 post-primary schools nationwide. The Department expects around 2,600 families to benefit from the enhanced process when applying for first-year places this October.

The expansion follows a review of the pilot involving participating schools. Feedback from parents and schools was described as overwhelmingly positive, and the pilot achieved a customer effort score of 80%.

Several enhancements have been added since the pilot, based on feedback from schools. They are intended to support clearer communication between schools and families, help align admissions timelines and streamline parts of the process. The system covers both mainstream and special education placements.

"Less stressful for parents and students"

Minister Naughton said she was delighted to see more Wicklow families benefiting from the service.

"Building on the success of last year's pilot programme, this initiative is making the admissions process simpler, more transparent and less stressful for parents and students."  She also says continued improvements, made by listening to schools and parents, will reduce administrative burdens for schools and give families a more user-friendly experience.

Key Details

Who can apply: Families applying for first-year places at participating schools in Kilcoole and Greystones

Where: applytoschool.ie

Deadline: Thursday, 22 October 2026