1. The Buffalo Public Schools High School Application Process 2008-2009
High School Ahead
The Buffalo Public Schools
High School
Application Process

2. Your School Counselor(s)
Mrs.
Phone:
Mr.

3. High School Acceptance Criteria
Attendance, Test Scores, Auditions
and Portfolios
8th Grade first quarter grades
7th Grade final Grades
ELA
Math
Science
Social Studies

4. Teachers rate students from 1-5 in the following areas
Teacher Rating Scores
100 Points
Teachers rate students from 1-5 in the following areas
Effort
Cooperation
Study Skills
Initiative
Attitude

5. All Students Need One Recommendation
The form is on the application
Middle College and Olmsted require a second recommendation
Auditions/Portfolios are required for McKinley’s Advertising Art Program and the Performing Arts Academy programs

6. Tests Tests are required for City Honors, Olmsted,
Hutch-Tech and McKinley’s Advertising Art program only

7. Comprehensive High Schools
Entrance is based on a Computer Lottery System
Offer “Lottery” as a program
Offer a traditional High School Program
Everyone has the opportunity to graduate with a Regents Diploma

8. Comprehensive High School Programs
Bennett High School
Burgard High School
East High School
International Prep. School at Grover High School
Lafayette High School
Math Science Technology Prep.
McKinley High School
Riverside Institute of Technology
South Park High School

9. Criteria Based Schools
These schools have entrance requirements

10. Buffalo Academy of Visual and Performing Arts
Programs
Dance
Music (Vocal & Instrumental)
Television and Film Production
Visual Arts
Theatre
Criteria
Audition – 60%
Grades – 80%
Attendance %
2 Recommendations
ELA/Math scores
*Accepting approximately 100 students*

11. Bennett High School Programs Criteria Grades - 85%
International Studies
Virtual Enterprise
Computer Magnet
(accepting 75 students total for above three programs)
Law Program (accepting 75 students)
Education & Visual Arts (accepting 75 students total – 32 for each)
Criteria
Grades - 85%
Assessment Scores – High Level 2 or above
Attendance %
Recommendation
Student Intent Form

12. Burgard High School Programs Automotive Repair (50 slots open)
Virtual Enterprise (25 slots open)
CAD/CAM Robotics (25 slots open)
Welding & Fabrication (25 slots open)
Criteria
Grades - 75% or better
Attendance %
Teacher Rating Scores
Recommendation Form
Student Intent Form
*Will accept any qualified applicant*

13. City Honors School Program
Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate
Academic Honors
Criteria
Entrance Exam
Essay
Standardized test scores for ELA and Math (minimal scores of 3)
Grades 85% or better
Attendance 85% or better
Teacher Recommendation
*Accepting approximately 30 students*
*Located at School #8 (on E. Utica St.)*

14. East High School Programs Bioinformatics (24 slots open)
Virtual Enterprise (24 slots open)
Health Occupations (24 slots open)
Forensic Technology (24 slots open)
Criteria
Math - 85%
Science – 85%
Attendance %
Student Intent Form
Recommendation Form

15. Emerson School of Hospitality
Program
Hospitality (Culinary Arts)
Criteria
Grades 85% or higher
Attendance %
Recommendation Form
Student Intent Form
*Accepting approximately 100 students*

16. International Preparatory School at Grover
Program
International Preparatory Program
Criteria
None:
Lottery Only
High Attendance
*Strong ESL accommodations*
*Students will be issued laptop computers*
*Focused on college preparation*
*Accepting 80 students*

17. Hutchinson Central Technical High School
Program
Engineering Technology
Computer Technology
Biochemical Technology
Criteria
Entrance Exam
Grades 85%
Attendance %
Recommendation Form/Teacher Rating Scores
Must have interests in Math and Science
*Accepting approximately students*
*95% of graduates continue on to four-year colleges*

18. Lafayette High School Program National Academy of Finance
National Academy of Hospitality and Tourism
Criteria
Grades 80% or higher
Excellent Attendance
Recommendation Form
Student Intent Form
*Accepting approximately 100 students per program*
*Some Bilingual accommodations for non-English speaking students*

19. Leonardo da Vinci Program Liberal Arts and Critical Thinking
Classes on D’Youville Campus
Criteria
Standardized Test Scores of 3’s and 4’s
Test Scores - 85% or higher
Grades - 80% or higher
Attendance %
Recommendation Form
Student Intent Form
*Accepting approximately 100 students*

20. *Four-year commitment to program*
McKinley High School
Program
Advertising Art (48 slots open)
Aquatic Ecology (24 slots open)
Building Trades (150 slots open)
Electrical Technology (24 slots open)
Horticulture (24 slots open)
Machine Tool Technology (24 slots open)
Printing (48 slots open)
Criteria
Grades 85%
Attendance %
Recommendation Form
Student Intent Form
Advertising Art requires portfolio (at least 5 pieces of artwork) and entrance exam
*Four-year commitment to program*

21. Middle Early College Program Academics-
High school degree plus 2 year college (Associates) degree
5 year program plus summer program
Criteria
Grades 65-85%
Attendance %
2 Recommendation Forms
Parent/Student Interview
*Accepting approximately 80 students*

22. Frederick Law Olmsted Gifted and Talented Program
Entrance exam required
High Performance School
College Preparatory Program
*Accepting approximately 80 students*

23. Frederick Law Olmsted School
Looking for Students Who:
* demonstrate problem-solving skills
* have areas of curriculum they excel in
* think outside the box
* are passionate about learning
Criteria:
* Level 3 or 4 on their prior grade’s NYS ELA
* At least an 85% on their prior grade’s report card
* Teacher recommendation form from application
* Entrance Exam (includes parent recommendation form)

24. Riverside Institute of Technology
Program
Academy of Science and Math (emphasis on Science and Math grades)
Computer Information Systems (Unified Business)
Criteria
Grades 85%
Attendance %
Recommendation Form
Student Intent Form
*Grades 9 and 10 will be at School #51 on Hertel Ave.*

25. Math, Science, Technology Preparatory School
Program
Math, Science, Technology (computer) Program
Criteria
Lottery Placement- No pre-requisites
*Accepting approximately 10 students*
*Saturday Academies (twice per month) required*

26. South Park High School Program Graphic Communication (48 slots open)
Virtual Enterprise – Good Math, Writing and Reading Skills required (24 slots open)
Criteria
Grades 75% or above
Attendance %
Recommendation Form
Student Intent Form

27. Schools with a Mandatory School Uniform Policy
Bennett
Burgard
East
International Preparatory
Grover
Lafayette
Math Science Tech
Seneca

28. Student Intent Form
Each student completes 3 short essays written with the help of your teachers
1. Why do you want to attend these schools?
2. What do you do when school is not in session? (Work, sports, volunteer, summer activities…?)
3. My goal after high school is to…? (Military, job, college, family business…?)

29. Keys to Success Make informed choices! Attendance counts!
Behavior counts!!
Get the best grades you can!
Concentrate on Effort, Initiative, Study Skills,
Cooperation and Attitude!
Write a great Student Intent Form!
Ask for help from your school counselor when you
have questions!
Strive for Excellence!

30. Acknowledgments Buffalo Public School District
Guidance, Counseling & Alternative Education
Tonja Williams, Director
Carmen J. Milioto, Supervisor
Amy Borowiak, BPS School Counselor
Leah Poplawski, BPS School Counselor
Kathy Sciolino, BPS School Counselor
This project was designed for, and intended for use by Buffalo Public School District Counselors during the High School Ahead process.
Information is subject to change in the event of budget cuts or administrative changes.
For the most current information, please contact your School Counselor.
Updated 9/30/08
Completed in collaboration with BPS High School Counselors