Making Informed Decisions: 2012-2013 Workshop for Families Making Informed Decisions: The High School Admissions Process

Agenda Introduction HS Admissions Process Timeline Specialized High Schools All other schools Selecting schools Next Steps Q & A

NYC Public High Schools This year, over 84% matched to one of their top 5 choices Schools Citywide 411 Programs Citywide 695

Who should apply? All New York City 8th graders in a public school must submit an application. If you plan to attend your local zoned high school (outside of Manhattan) you MUST still complete an application Even if you do not plan to attend a NYC public high school, it is HIGHLY recommended that you still apply

Estimated HS Admissions Timeline September – October SHSAT Registration and LaGuardia High School Audition Registration through counselors September Citywide High School Fair October Schools receive HS Applications Borough High School Fairs October – November SHSAT Administration Early December Round One High School Applications due back to Counselors Late February Round One Results (includes SHS offer where applicable) Early March Round Two and New Schools Fair Mid/late March Round Two Applications due back to Counselors Late April/early May Round 2 Results June Appeals Results The HS Admissions Process dates for 2012-2013 are approximate and subject to change.

Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts The Nine Specialized High Schools SHSAT Specialized High Schools Admissions Test The Bronx High School of Science High School of American Studies at Lehman College Brooklyn Technical High School The Brooklyn Latin School Stuyvesant High School High School for Math, Science and Engineering at the City College Queens High School for the Sciences at York College Staten Island Technical High School Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts Dance Drama Instrumental Music Technical Theatre Fine Arts Vocal Music

How do students register for the SHSAT and LaGuardia Auditions? In September, register through the school’s high school advisor H.S. Advisors must enter registrations in SEMS (Student Enrollment Management System) Schools will distribute test and/or audition ticket to students Families should check the ticket for accuracy Students must bring the test and/or audition ticket with them Know your order of preference for the Specialized High Schools prior to sitting for the test

Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT) Scoring and Offers On the scheduled test date, students list the Specialized Testing High Schools in priority order on the test answer sheet. These choices are final. After all tests are scored, students’ test scores are placed in order from the highest score to the lowest score. Offers are made, in turn, based on student’s score student’s priority of choices seat availability

All Other Schools

Admissions Methods for non-specialized schools Zoned (none in Manhattan) Educational Option (Ed. Opt.) Limited Unscreened Screened: Language Screened (may include test, interviews, portfolios) Audition

Ed Opt Schools Programs designed to attract a wide range of academic performers. Based upon the results of 7th grade standardized reading test score: Top 16% - High Middle 68% - Middle Bottom 16% - Low From the applicant pool, half the students are chosen by the school administration and half are selected randomly.

Ed Opt, continued Students who score in the top 2% on the 7th grade English Language Arts reading exam will automatically be matched to the Ed. Opt. program if they listed it as their first choice. If a child is in the top 2%, it is indicated on his/her application next to the reading score.

Limited Unscreened Just like our school Programs that give priority to students who demonstrate interest in the school by attending a school's Information Session or Open House events or visiting the school's exhibit at any one of the High School Fairs Be sure to sign in!!!

Screened: Language Admit students based on home language; English Language Learner status; when they arrived in the country; and in some cases academic records

Screened Students are ranked by the high school based on the student's final 7th grade report card grades and reading and math standardized scores. Attendance and punctuality are also considered. There may also be other items that schools require to screen applicants such as an interview, essay or additional diagnostic test score (which you MUST do to be considered). Make sure to find out whether there are additional requirements!!!!

Audition Require that a student demonstrate proficiency in the specific performing arts/visual arts area for that program. Examples: prepare monologue, portfolio of artwork, music or dance performance Audition requirements, dates and times are listed with the program on each school's directory page.

Admissions Priorities In addition to admissions methods, schools may also have admissions priorities For instance: Priority to District 2 students or residents Then to Manhattan students or residents Then to New York City residents

Admissions Priorities Matching Process Student Choice Admissions Priorities High School Match Admissions Method Seat Availability

Important factors in selecting schools: School location/travel time Do you meet the schools criteria? VISIT the school! School size Graduation rate and other school statistics Special programs/focus within school (ex: Career and Technical Schools CTE) Academic offerings (AP classes, languages, etc.) Extra curricular activities Special education services

Developing your list of choices Students allowed to make 12 choices Put as many as you are willing to consider Consider including your “second tier” schools at the end of the application as a way to increase your chance of being matched in the first round Look for schools where you fit the top admissions priority BE REALISTIC!!!

Next Steps for Rising 8th Grade Students Research Schools: High School Directory Specialized High Schools Handbook DOE Online Search Tool: http://schools.nyc.gov/SchoolSearch/ Insideschools.org New York City’s Best Public High Schools by Clara Hemphill Accountability information: www.nyc.gov/schools/accountability

Next Steps Continued Attend the various HS Process related events: Summer Workshop Series Citywide High School Fair in the fall Borough High School Fairs in the fall Check individual school websites/call the schools for tour dates and other information specific to the school Attend Open Houses and Information Sessions

For more information… Department of Education Office of Student Enrollment: (718) 935-2399 HS_Enrollment@schools.nyc.gov www.nyc.gov/schools/ChoicesEnrollment/High Sign up for email updates online at: www.nyc.gov/schools/subscribe

Important Dates Summer Workshop Series: Check DOE website http://schools.nyc.gov/ChoicesEnrollment/High/C alendar/default.htm Bard: Check the Bard website in late August/early September for admissions info and to sign up for an Open House and to schedule a date for an assessment