1. Making Informed Decisions:
Workshop for Families
Making Informed Decisions:
The High School
Admissions Process

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

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

4. 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

5. 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 are approximate and subject to change.

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. All Other Schools

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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!!!

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

15. 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!!!!

16. 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.

17. 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

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

19. 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

20. 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!!!

21. Next Steps for Rising 8th Grade Students
Research Schools:
High School Directory
Specialized High Schools Handbook
DOE Online Search Tool:
Insideschools.org
New York City’s Best Public High Schools by Clara Hemphill
Accountability information:

22. 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

23. For more information…
Department of Education Office of Student Enrollment:
(718)
Sign up for updates online at:

24. Important Dates
Summer Workshop Series: Check DOE website 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