An A+ Merit award is given to students who have demonstrated exceptional result and achieved an A+ grade for the overall subject, performing in the top 2% of the subject. In 2018, the school produced the second best Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training result and 6 of the top 20 students. Darwin High School's subjects follow the South Australian Certificate of Education curriculum and include: Arts; Business, Enterprise & Technology; English & Humanities; Health & Physical Education; Languages; Mathematics; Sciences; and Cross Disciplinary. Students have the option to enrol via a website. The school offers a program for students who excel in English literature and writing; the application includes submitting a folio of their work and taking a placement test. The specialised mathematics and science program, Centre For Excellence (C4E), uses the school's affiliation with Xrata and ConocoPhillips and their partnership with Charles Darwin University. Students in the program compete in national mathematic and scientific competitions. Applicants are required to take a test which assesses their “general abilities, science and mathematics aptitude," and final selection into the program depends on the test's results and school reports. During lunch, the school offers various clubs and activities, including Interact Club, debate, gaming clubs for both online and board games, art/design/animation, choir, a club to learn about cultures, various sports, and religious groups. There is also a student council. Outside of lunch, the school offers service trips and a skiing and snowboarding trip, while also participating in The Duke of Edinburgh's Award. The campus includes both covered and indoor walkways between buildings. The Vesteys Tank, now commonly known as the Tank, was constructed in 1917 as part of Vestey's Meatworks. It was said to be the largest building its nature in the southern hemisphere, utilising new technology of reinforced concrete. The Vesteys tank has now been transformed into a multi-purpose gymnasium which now functions as an indoor court and field for basketball, volleyball, soccer, and badminton. There are pool tables, ping pong tables and gym equipment that is available for use. The tank also holds Darwin High School's assemblies. It was listed on the Northern Territory Heritage Register on 29 July 2006. In 2016, the Labor Government pledged to fund a new scientific, technological, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) building to help facilitate the increasing growth and of students. The Labor Government pledged $40 million to Darwin High and Middle School.