1. Introduction to High School Admissions
Resources to Handout:
HS Fair Flyer
CTE Fair Flyer
Copy of slide #30: What Makes a Balanced Application
Sample of HS Directory
Sample of the Specialized High School Student Handbook
Objective: 1. Support families in becoming familiar with MySchools- new online HS application system
2. Help families to understand the importance of building a balanced application- build an understanding of what it means to have a mixture of Reach, Target and Likely programs
3. Families that need technology support:
Help them create a personal account
Help them with initial log into MySchools.nyc (parent portal)
PS/IS 121 Nelson A. Rockefeller
Magnet School of Life Sciences

2. English Language Learners (ELL)
Students who are English Language Learners may apply to any high school in New York City.
All high schools must provide ELL services for students.
There are three different ELL service delivery models offered in NYC public high schools.
English as a New Language
Transitional Bilingual Education
Dual Language
ELL students are eligible for supports and accommodations on admissions-related tests and auditions.
Read bullets and tip
TIP
There are programs designed to serve students who are learning English. These programs admit students according to home language, years in the country, or English proficiency.

3. Students with Disabilities (SWD)
Students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) may apply to any high school program in New York City; all high schools must provide services for students.
On each school page, you can find each program’s SWD seat availability last year, and each school’s accessibility category.
For High School Admissions, seats at each high school program are divided into two groups:
Read first two bullets, then say
If your child has accessibility needs, I recommend contacting or visiting schools to confirm that each would be a good fit.
Read third bullet and then the table
General Education (GE) seats
Students with Disabilities (SWD) seats
For students who receive general education instructional programming
For students who receive special education instructional programming for 20% or less of their academic program as indicated on their current IEP.
For students who receive special education instructional programming for more than 20% of their academic program as indicated on their current IEP.

4. How do I participate in High School Admissions?
Required
Two paths for students
Optional
There are two paths that students may take to receive a high school offer.
The first is the High School Application (point to left of screen), which is used to apply to over 700 programs at over 400 high schools. You can submit your application online in MySchools. You and your child choose 12 programs you’d like to apply to by December 3. I can give you a paper worksheet in early October if you can’t access online. You will give that worksheet back to me by December 3rd. Every eighth-grade student must complete a High School Application.
The optional, second path is for the Specialized High Schools (point to right of screen). There are nine specialized schools: eight of them take top-scoring students on the Specialized High School Admissions Test (called the SHSAT). The ninth, LaGuardia requires an audition and also looks at academics. Last year, over 28,000 students took the SHSAT for around 5,000 seats at the specialized testing schools. [Make mention here of students who at your school who typically receive an offer to a Specialized High School]
If you are interested in any of the specialized schools, please register for the SHSAT or the LaGuardia studio auditions by October 11 in MySchools! If applicable to your student, please review any accommodations. Students receive a test or audition ticket by mid-October. You can print it out online or I can print for you. Your child then takes the SHSAT and/or auditions during the fall. Taking the test or auditioning means your child has applied. On the SHSAT, students rank the testing Specialized Schools in their order of preference.
In March, the DOE will mail home the letters that tells you your offer from the HS Application, maybe an offer from a testing Specialized school, and maybe an offer from any of the six studios at LaGuardia. (Point to bottom row.) If a student has received multiple offers, the student must choose one. Results will also be available in MySchools!
New this year is that every student will receive an offer in Round 1! Selecting your programs continues to be very important because students may receive offers that were not listed on their application. This happens only when the DOE can not match your child to one of their choices. There are many reasons why this may happen, such as less than 12 choices, too many program choices with over 10 applicants per seat, missing your guarantee program.
We will talk about how to build a balanced application today.
If your child did not receive a specialized offer, then your child is expected to attend the school from the High School application unless you opt out. Participating in Round 2 is optional. Note that the only schools open in Round 2 are schools with seats left after Round 1. A Round 2 replaces a Round 1 offer, so only put down schools you prefer over your Round 1 offer. Round 2 results will be available in May.
High School Application 700+ Programs at 400+ High Schools
Specialized High Schools 8 Testing Schools 1 Audition School
Access Round 1 Application
Register, then get Test and/or Audition Ticket(s)
Early Fall
Group Three
Complete Application by listing 12 programs in order of preference.
Late Fall
SHSAT
Audition
1 Offer
March
1 Offer*
1-6 Offers*
Round 2 (optional)
*if applicable

5. What are the Specialized High Schools (SHS)?
There are eight testing SHS — apply by taking the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT).
Bronx
The Bronx High School of Science
High School of American Studies at Lehman College
Brooklyn
The Brooklyn Latin School
Brooklyn Technical High School
Manhattan
Stuyvesant High School
High School for Mathematics, Science and Engineering at the City College of NY
Queens
Queens High School for the Sciences at York College
Staten Island
Staten Island Technical High School
There is one audition SHS — apply to dance, instrumental music, fine arts, drama, technical theater,
or vocal music by auditioning or submitting a portfolio.
Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts (LaGuardia High School)
These are the Specialized High Schools. You can learn more about them in the Specialized High Schools Student Handbook, NYC High School Directory, MySchools, or meet with school representatives at a high school fair this fall. [Give the fair dates]

6. What happens after I take the SHSAT or audition?
Taking the SHSAT or auditioning for LaGuardia High School means you have applied to these Specialized High Schools.
SHSAT answer sheets (not test booklets) are scored. Students’ test scores are placed in order from the highest score to the lowest score. Offers are made based on:
Student’s SHSAT score
Student’s priority order of schools as listed on the answer sheet
Seat availability
Testing Specialized High Schools DO NOT review students’ state test scores, grades, or attendance.
Read first bullet, then
After the SHSAT, answer sheets (not the test booklets) are then scored.
Students must make sure they indicate their answers on the answer sheet.
Admissions scores for the SHSAT are not published as they differ each year based on the students taking the test and the number of available seats at each school.
To understand how offers to the testing high schools are determined, imagine all the students’ answer sheets are in a big pile, with the student with the highest score on top, and the next highest score after, and so on.
The top student will be offered their first choice school from the list of schools they bubbled on the answer sheet.
Then the next student will receive an offer to their first choice school, if there are seats available.
Let’s say there are no longer seats available in the first choice school, then the student will be offered a seat at their second choice school, if there are seats available.
This continues through the ordered answer sheets until all the seats are filled.
You should list as many testing Specialized High Schools that you can travel to on the answer sheet, in your preferred order.
Read last bullet
Watch this helpful video with your families: How Students Get Offers to New York City Public Schools:

7. MySchools!
This year the NYCDOE has upgraded the admissions system so that parents can register for the Specialized High Schools and submit a High School Application online.
Parents will need their student’s OSIS ID and an Account Creation Code to log in. You will receive the Account Creation Code in the mail. If you don’t receive it, I can get the code for you.
For public schools (DOE and Charter)
When you log-in, you will see your child’s information and 7th grade academic record (grades, test scores, attendance and punctuality). If you don’t see test scores immediately, just wait until they are released later this fall. Grades will be released at that time.
Review that all information is correct. If anything is inaccurate, please tell me immediately.
For non-public schools (private and parochial)
I will have to add your child’s information and 7th grade academic record (grades, test scores, attendance and punctuality) to the system. Once I do that, I can give you the student ID (called an OSIS) and the Account Creation Code so that you can access directly.
For all schools
You will complete the High School Application online by selecting 12 program choices in order of preference starting with your top choice. You’ll submit your completed application online by December 3.
For Families that do not have access to technology, I can provide you with a paper worksheet in early October that you will return to me by December 3.
You can use the High School resources to find schools. These resources include,
The High School Directory
The Specialized High School Admissions Handbook
Me- your School Counselor

8. Round 1 Application – Research
Learn about more than 700 programs in the NYC High School Directory. Explore programs on your mobile or desktop device with NYC School Finder (schoolfinder.nyc.gov) or MySchools (MySchools.nyc).
Attend High School fairs and visit schools.
Choose 20 – 30 programs that interest you.
Narrow your list down to 12 program choices. No Specialized High Schools!
You can continue to research with this book, the NYC High School Directory. The school information is also in NYC School Finder. If you haven’t done so already, take out your phone and go to schoolfinder.nyc.gov to have the Directory on your phone!
You can find information on all the DOE high schools in NYC in this book. I will show what information you should be looking at in this book.
You should start learning about programs in the Directory and find that interest, then keep exploring and visiting schools to decide which 12 programs to write on the Application. Go to schools.nyc.gov/high and scroll to the bottom of the page to access the calendar.

9. Explore Schools and Programs
Use the High School Directory to create a broad list of choices that interest you.
Location
Academics
Start researching programs by thinking about what matters to you and your child. Keep these in mind as you explore schools and programs.
Students received their High School Directories on _ date__. This book lists every program you may write on your High School Application. Start learning about programs by looking at this book. Then, keep researching and visiting schools to decide which programs to write on your application.
You can also use MySchools to save programs of interest!
Would anyone like to share something they are looking for in their child’s high school??
Allow people to respond.
Thanks for sharing. The High School Directory has lots of information about high schools. We’ll talk more about what we can learn from it.
This is a sample HS Directory school page.
You can use this page to think about what the school has to offer such as courses, activities, and partnerships. It also shows school size, accessibility, performance, and location.
Travel time and distance are also important to many families.
All this information is also in SchoolFinder and MySchools.
Size and Accessibility
Activities
School
Performance
Program Interest
Area

10. MySchools
Screenshot of searching by subway line

11. MySchools
Screenshot of searching by subway line

12. MySchools
+ Programs
Screenshot of program information – Please note the applicants per seat and each student’s priority group.
Students are notified of their zoned school, if applicable.

13. MySchools Screenshot of Saved Programs.
Programs on the Saved tab are not on the application. This is where you can save programs of interest and come back to them later.

14. MySchools
You only have to click the star to add a program to your saved list.
Also note that the map shows you where your home address is!

15. MySchools
The map on your saved schools tab shows your home address and the schools you’ve saved!

16. MySchools On the Apply tab, you will see your list of Saved programs
You need only click the Add bar next to the program to add to your application, the program would appear here as well.

17. MySchools *Animation Here’s the program added to the application!
You can easily remove a program from the application by clicking the X next to the program name
You can easily re-order application choices orders by dragging the program boxes
You can also type in a program name here in the “Search for a program” box

18. MySchools
Before you submit an application, you will be given tips to help improve the application, to increase your child’s chances of receiving an offer
Here are some examples of what a parent would see
Please be sure to read the alerts aloud

19. MySchools
12/3
Finally, you must confirm this information prior to submitting the application
It is very important to note that the address that is in the system at the point of submission is the address that will be used when determining an offer.

20. MySchools
12/3/2018
10/11/2018
The student Dashboard gives you a summary of where your student is in the process.
If I make a change to your child’s application, I will tell you and you can see that I’ve made a change.

21. MySchools The schedule tab allows you to: Register for the SHSAT
Register for LaGuardia High School auditions
Express interest in programs that:
Require an audition (other than LaGuardia)
Have an on-site screening assessment (other than the SHSAT, such as Bard)
Have an on-site interview
Student has to submit a portfolio

22. Learn More About Programs
Think of a program as a “doorway” to get into a school
You can apply to more than one program at the same school.
Programs at the same school may make offers based on different factors.
Learn how each program admits students in the High School Directory.
When you fill out the online High School Application, you are not applying to schools, you are applying to programs.
Think of a program as a doorway into a school. Many schools have multiple programs, and students may apply to more than one.
Each program at a school is one of the 12 spots on the Application.
Here is a sample of a school page that has two programs with different Admissions Methods.
I’ll talk about Admissions Methods soon.

23. Know your Chances of Getting an Offer
Student factors and program factors determine if a program is a “reach,” “target,” or “likely” for your student.
Lower chance you’ll get an offer
Average chance you’ll get an offer
Higher chance you’ll get an offer
How are offers determined or how are students matched with programs?
Students receive one offer from the 12 choices on their online High School Application
These factors affect what offer a student receives, and student’s chances of getting an offer.
point to screen
Read headers of boxes under “Student Factors” and boxes under “Program Factors.”
For the rest of this presentation, I will teach you how to know your chances of getting an offer by categorizing programs as Reach, Target, or Likely.
Reach program means you have a lower chance of getting an offer.
Target program means you have an average chance of getting an offer.
Likely program means you have a higher chance of getting an offer.

24. Student Factor—Choices on the Application
97% of students who listed 12 programs received an offer in Round 1 last year.
If you list 12 programs, you will have a better chance of getting an offer from one of your choices.
Only 87% of students with 3 programs received an offer
Only 91% of students with 6 programs received an offer
Only 94% of students with 9 programs received an offer
List programs in your true order of preference starting with your top choice.
High schools will not see how you rank them.
High schools should not ask how they’ve been ranked or say you must rank them first.
Read bullets

25. Program Factor—Eligibility
Some programs are only open to students who meet eligibility requirements.
Only students who go to school or live in the Bronx are eligible to apply!
A program eligibility means some programs have eligibilities that limit who can apply.
Eligibilities and priorities are displayed together on each school’s directory page.
Read example on the slide.
Read tip at the bottom.
This means
TIP
If program eligibility is not listed for a program, all students can apply.

26. Program Factor—Admissions Priorities
Show the order in which students are considered for offers.
This means
The next factor that affects offers is Admissions Priorities.
Admissions Priorities determine the order in which groups of applicants are considered for placement.
For example, for some programs, your home address and current school may affect the order in which you are considered for offers.
Admissions Priorities can be based on where you live or go to school, if you sign in at a school fair or open house, or if a you attend a continuing 6-12 school.
Here is an example of Admissions Priorities found on page 10 of the 2019 NYC High School Directory.
This means:
The students who receive offers first are continuing 8th grade students (Priority Group 1). If your child is in a program’s first priority group, then that program is a Target or Likely for your child.
The students who receive offers next, if seats are available, are Bronx students or residents (Priority Group 2). If your child is not in a program’s first priority group, then that program is a Reach for your child.
The students who receive offers next, if seats are available, are students or residents outside the Bronx (Priority Group 3). Again, this program is a Reach for students in this priority group.
Finally, the DOE includes in Admissions Priorities the percent of students who received an offer in each priority group. In this example, 60% of offers went to continuing 8th grade student (First Priority Group), 40% of offers went to Bronx students or residents (Second Priority Group), and no offers went to students in the third priority group, which is students or residents outside the Bronx.
TIP
It is a good strategy to apply to programs where you are in the first priority group.

27. Program Factor—Seat Availability
The number of applicants per seat shows demand, or how popular a program was last year. More applicants per seat means a lower chance of getting an offer.
Lower Demand
3 or fewer applicants per seat
Low or Average Demand
4 – 9 applicants per seat
High Demand
10 or more applicants per seat
This means
The next factor is seat availability, which refers to how much space a program has for incoming students. This means that not every applicant to a program will be offered a seat.
Read grey box
This program has average demand.
There are 60 seats available, and about 400 applicants last year.
This means:
There was an average of 6-7 applicants who listed the program anywhere on their Application for each available seat. That makes this program a Target program for applicants.
If the program was 3 or fewer applicants per seat, that program is a Likely for your child.
If the program had 10 or more applicants per seat, or a High Demand program, that program is a Reach for your child.
Read tip
TIP
Listing programs with three or fewer applicants per seat increases your chances of receiving an offer.

28. Program factor—Admissions Methods
Show how each program selects students for offers.
These programs DO NOT see applicant’s school record
ZONED
Based on home address
OPEN
Random selection
SCREENED FOR LANGUAGE
Based on students’ English language skills and/or years in the country.
TEST
Offers are made based on score attained on the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT) only
The last factor is Admissions Methods.
Admissions Methods represent how each program selects students, or what you need to do for the program.
These are on page 14 of the High School Directory.
The five admissions methods on the top [point to slide] do not look at an applicant's school record, which is academics and attendance.
The eight testing Specialized High Schools only make offers based on your SHSAT scores.
The three admissions methods on the bottom DO look at an applicant’s school record [point to slide].
Many of these may require you to take additional action, such as auditioning, submitting a portfolio, interviewing, or taking an exam.
Screened and Audition programs indicate which students meet their criteria by ranking them, or assigning a preference number much in the same way you list your high schools in preference order.
Your school record (this is grades, test scores, and attendance) may affect which programs you decide to list on the Application.
A balanced Application has programs with a mix of Admissions Methods.
These programs DO see applicant’s school record
SCREENED
Rank students using seventh grade core course grades, attendance, and state test scores.
Additional requirements possible, such as portfolios or interviews.
AUDITION
Same as Screened, but require an audition.
Some auditions require pre-registration.
EDUCATIONAL OPTION
Seats reserved for students with high, medium, and low NY State ELA scores.
Half of seats filled by students who were ranked by the school.
Half of seats filled through random selection.

29. Program Factor—Screened and Audition Admissions Methods
These programs’ selection criteria shows how a student’s application compares with other applicants.
The admissions method does not use academics, or student’s academics are on the high ends of the ranges
Student’s academics are in the middle of the ranges
Student’s academics are below or on the low ends of the ranges
This means
A program’s Selection Criteria is useful to know how a student’s application compares with other applicants.
This applies to programs with Screened and Audition Admissions Methods only.
These programs look at your school record (grades, test scores, and attendance). Some of these programs require other activities, such as submission of a portfolio of work, an on-site test, or an on-site interview. You can find relevant information about each program’s selection criteria on their school pages in the directory.
The ranges shown here reflect the academic record of the students who received offers to this program last year. Not all students who fall within last year’s ranges may get an offer based on factors we’ve mentioned before such as Admissions Priorities, Eligibilities, and Demand.
The academic ranges for SWD applicants who received offers may be different and are often wider than ranges for GE students. SWD students are evaluated against other SWD students.
When looking at Selection Criteria ranges for Screened or Audition Admissions Methods only:
If the admissions method is not Screened or Audition, or your child’s academics are on the high end of the ranges, the program is a Likely for your child.
If your child’s academics are on in the middle of the ranges, the program is a Target for your child.
If your child’s academics are on the low end or below the ranges, the program is a Reach for your child.
Students without test scores are eligible to apply to programs with academic ranges listed under Selection Criteria, and schools have been instructed to develop policies around how these students are evaluated.
Watch this helpful video: (Counselor, this is the same video linked on slide 6)

30. What makes a balanced application?
Aim for a mix of reach, target, and likely programs.
Factors
Seat Availability
Admissions Priorities
Your
Academics (selection criteria)
TIP
If you are in a continuing
6–12 program or have a zoned program, you may have a guaranteed match.
High Demand: 10 or more applicants per seat
Low or Average Demand:
4 – 9 applicants per seat
Lower Demand: 3 or fewer applicants per seat OR OR
AND
Handout this slide
This is your crib sheet.
A Good Application will lead to an offer at the end of Round 1. This table will help explain what that means.
When you’ve identified a program of interest, then determine if that program is a Reach, Target, or Likely for your child:
A reach program is a lower chance of getting an offer…. [read slide and pay attention to the ORs]
A target program is an average chance of getting an offer… [read slide and pay attention to the ORs]
A likely program is a higher chance of getting an offer…[read slide and pay attention to the AND and OR]
Some students have guaranteed programs! You have to choose your guaranteed programs as one of your 12 choices to be considered!
These programs are continuing 6-12 schools, or zoned guarantee programs that are based on address.
Check the Application to see if you have a guaranteed program.
Remember, your goal is for your child to have an offer in Round 1. If you are going to include “reach” programs on your Application, it’s important that you also include “target” programs and “likely” programs. This is what we mean by a Balanced Application.
You are not in the first priority group
You are in the first priority group
You are in the first priority group OR OR OR
The admissions method does not use academics, or your academics are on the high ends of the ranges
Your academics are below or on the low ends of the ranges
Your academics are in the middle of the ranges

31. My Chances—Reach, target, or likely?
Your eighth grade GE student is a Queens resident who attends All City Leadership Secondary School, a Brooklyn school with grades 6–12. This is your student’s list.
Choice Order
Program Code
Program Name
School Name
Notes 1
K61M
Music
Performing Arts and Technology High School
Open program with 6 applicants per seat (GE). Priority is to Brooklyn students or residents. 2
K55D
For Current Students
All City Leadership Secondary School
Current school which continues on to grades Your student would prefer the other schools on the list over this school. 3
Q71B
Intensive Academic Humanities
Academy of American Studies
Screened program; first choice, but your student heard putting such a selective school first might waste the choice. Priority to Queens students or residents. 4
S34B
Theater Arts
Chambers Street High School
Ed. Opt. program. Program eligibility states only open to Bronx students or residents.
Let’s use what you have learned to support an 8th grade student as the student’s school counselor. Turn to page 6 of your Workbook now to see this student’s list.
This student lives in Queens, and goes to All City Leadership School, which is a 6-12 school in Brooklyn.
This is a student’s preliminary list of programs [point to screen].
This student has chosen four programs. Right off, I hope you see one issue with this the list!
DON’T READ THE CHOICES, SCHOOL INFORMATION, AND STUDENT’S NOTES. READ THESE ON THE NEXT SLIDES!

32. Choice 1: Music at Performing Arts & Tech HS—Open
Open program with 6 applicants per seat (GE). Priority is to Brooklyn students or residents.
Consider the following program factors to learn if this is a reach, target, or likely program for your student.
Factor 1: Is this a High Demand Program?
**animation**
We are evaluating the student’s first choice.
Read the grey box
Click to bring up the Factor 1 Box
Let’s see if this program is a Reach, Target, or Likely for your student.
What is the school’s demand? By demand, I mean applicants per seat.
then click once to bring up 6 applicants per seat after they respond
Ask the audience, is 6 applicants per seat High Demand, Average Demand, or Lower Demand?
then click once to bring up the Stop sign and text
If it’s 10 or more, then it’s High Demand and the program is a Reach for your student
If it’s 4-6 applicants per seat, then it’s Average Demand, and you need more information so move onto Factor 2
The number of applicants per seat shows how popular a program is. This is called demand. Look up “Applicants per Seat” in the program table and find the number for your student’s seat group. Then fill in the blank: This program has _______________applicants per seat for my seat group. 6
If the program has 10 or more applicants per seat, it’s a high demand program. This means it’s a reach for your student or any student.
If the program has 4-9 applicants per seat, it’s a low or average demand program. This means it’s a target or likely for your student or any student. Go on to Factor 2.

33. Choice 1: Music at Performing Arts & Tech HS—Open
Open program with 6 applicants per seat (GE). Priority is to Brooklyn students or residents.
Consider the following program factors to learn if this is a reach, target, or likely program for your student.
Factor 2: Which Admissions Method Does the Program Use?
**animation**
We are still evaluating the student’s first choice and need more information to determine if it’s a Reach, Target or Likely for your student.
What Admissions Method is used by this program?
then click once to bring up the answer - Open
This program uses an Open Admissions Method and this means the student’s academic record is not evaluated
then click once to bring up the text describing admissions methods
We need more information, so let’s look at Factor 3
Look up “Admissions Method” in the program table. Then fill in the blank. This program uses the _________________ admissions method.
Open
If you filled in “screened,” “audition,” or “screened: language & academics” go on to compare your student’s academic record. If you filled in “ed. opt.,” “screened: language,” or “open,” go on to Factor 3.

34. Choice 1: Music at Performing Arts & Tech HS—Open
Open program with 6 applicants per seat (GE). Priority is to Brooklyn students or residents.
Consider the following program factors to learn if this is a reach, target, or likely program for your student.
Factor 3: Are you in the First Priority Group?
**animation**
Now let’s figure out if the student is in the program’s first priority group.
Read grey box
Ask the audience if the student is in the First Priority Group.
If they need help, ask them where the student goes to school!
then click once to bring up the answer
Then click to bring up the Stop sign with the evaluation
Since the student is in the first priority group, the program has average demand, this program is a Target for your student.
Then click once to bring up the answer and have the heart fill
Look up “Admissions Priorities” in the program table. Then circle your answer. For this program, you are…( In the first priority group | NOT in the first priority group )
If you circled “In the first priority group” and this is a lower demand program (see Factor 1), this is a likely program for you.
If you circled “In the first priority group” and this is an average demand program (see Factor 1), this is a target program for you.

35. Choice 2: All City Leadership Secondary School—Guarantee
This is the student’s current school, which continues to grades Your student would prefer the other schools on the list over this school.
**animation**
Now let’s evaluate the student’s second choice.
Read the grey box
What is special about this school for your student?
Click to bring up the Reach Target Likely hearts
Click to bring up Guarantee
This is the same evaluation for a student’s zoned program, if the student has one and the student has written it on the application as one of the 12 choices.
Since this student prefers the other schools on the list over this school. Think about whether this should in fact be listed as Choice 2.
Guarantee

36. Choice 3: Intensive Academic Humanities—Screened
Screened program; first choice, but your student heard putting such a selective school first might waste the choice. Priority to Queens students or residents.
Consider the following program factors to learn if this is a reach, target, or likely program for your student.
Factor 1: Is this a High Demand Program?
**animation**
Now let’s evaluate the student’s third choice.
Read the grey box
Click to bring up Factor 1
Let’s see if this program is a Reach, Target, or Likely for your student.
What is the school’s demand? Remember, this is applicants per seat.
then click once to bring up 20 applicants per seat
What does ‘20 applicants per seat mean’? – High Demand, Average Demand, or Low Demand?
then click to bring up the stop sign
High Demand, so is this program a Reach, Target, or Likely program for your student?
then click once to bring up Reach and have the heart fill
The number of applicants per seat shows how popular a program is. This is called demand. Look up “Applicants per Seat” in the program table and find the number for your student’s seat group. Then fill in the blank: This program has _______________applicants per seat for my seat group. 20
If the program has 10 or more applicants per seat, it’s a high demand program. This means it’s a reach for your student or any student.

37. Choice 3: Intensive Academic Humanities—Screened
Screened program; first choice, but your student heard putting such a selective school first might waste the choice. Priority to Queens students or residents.
How Does Your Academic Record Compare?
Your Student Academics
Q71B Program Selection Criteria
English: 89 Math: 90
Social Studies: 90 Science: 90
English: 80 – 100 Math: 83 – 100
Social Studies: 80 – 100 Science: 84 – 100
Math State Test: 3.6
ELA State Test: 3.4
Math State Test: 2.8 – 4.5
ELA State Test: 2.7 – 4.5
**animation**
Even though we already know this is a Reach program for your student, let’s look a little closer.
This is a screened program, so what do we need to look at?
You can see this student’s academics on the screen.
then click once to bring up the academics
Take a look at the screen, on the left is your student and we are comparing the student’s academics with the applicants to this program (Q71B) that received offers last year
read through the comparison with Q71B (note that these are students who received offers to this program last year)
Ask the audience for the evaluation of Student Academics (below/low, middle, high) ends of the ranges?
then click to circle middle
What if the student’s academics were higher? Maybe a Target for the category, but still a Reach overall.
Ask the audience for the Overall Chances (Reach, Target, or Likely)
then click once to bring up the answer and have the heart fill
( below or at the low end of the range | in the middle of the range | on the high ends of the range )

38. Choice 4: Theater Arts—Educational Option
Program eligibility states that this program is only open to Bronx students or residents.
**animation**
Finally, let’s evaluate the student’s fourth choice.
Read the grey box
We see this school has an eligibility criteria – they are open ONLY to Bronx students or residents
Who remembers where this student lives or goes to school?
What does that mean for this student? Should they list this school on their application?
click to show answer
Not Eligible

39. A Balanced Application…
Choice Order
Program Code
Program Name
School Name
Student’s Chances 1
K61M
Music
Performing Arts & Tech HS 2
K55D
All City Leadership Secondary School
All City Leadership School
Guaranteed Offer 3
Q71B
Intensive Academic Humanities
Academy of American Studies 4
S34B
Theater Arts
Chambers Street High School
Not Eligible to Apply
For a more balanced application, your student should…
TRUE or FALSE?
**animation**
Back to the student’s full list. Let’s see how well you do as school counselors!
I will read each statement, you shout out True or False!
click once to bring up the questions
Read through each quiz statements first, then click each time to bring up the answer
Read question, then click and read answer; Schools do not see how you rank them. There is no downside to matching to something lower on the Application.
Read question, then click and read answer; To create a balanced Application, the student should list programs that are Target and Likely
Read question, then click and read answer; The student should move their continuing school to their last choice because the student is guaranteed a spot in that program and the student prefers all the other programs more than the student’s current school, All City.
Read question, then click and read answer
Move their first choice to the top of the application.
WHY? It does not hurt to show true preference.
Find more programs that reflect their interests, ideal location, and are less selective.
WHY? Doing so increases their chances of receiving a choice offer in Round 1.
Move their continuing school program to their last choice.
WHY? Your student’s desire to attend a different school is greater than their desire to stay at the current school for high school.
Remove Chambers Street High School from their list.
WHY? Your student is not eligible since it is only open to Bronx students and residents and your student lives in Queens/goes to school in Brooklyn. This is an opportunity to add another choice.

40. My Chances—Reach, target, or likely–match?
Student A Application
Reach
Target
Likely
Guarantee
Student A Information
ELA State Test:
English Grade: 98
Math State Test: 4.05
Math Grade: 95
Absence + Lateness: 4
Science Grade: 94
Guarantee?: Yes, zone
Social Studies Grade: 94
Turn & Talk
Did the student receive an offer in Round 1?
YES!
**animation**
Let’s look at an example of a student’s application after the families has evaluated Reach, Target or Likely for all of them. Let’s also look at the student’s academics.
walk them through what’s on the screen
Now, turn and talk and answer the question: Did this student receive an offer of choice in Round 1?
give them time to discuss, then ask them to shout out. Click to bring up the Yes.
Great! Now, clap your hands if you discussed:
Click to animate each one
If you do not put or have a guarantee match, then your last option should be a likely.
Application has 12 choices.
Application is a balance of Reach, Target, and Likely-Match.
Student has guarantee, and could have put 11 Reach programs as long as Guarantee program code is on the application.

41. My Chances—Reach, target, or likely–match?
Student B Application
Reach --
Student B Information
ELA State Test:
English Grade: 98
Math State Test: 4.05
Math Grade: 95
Absence + Lateness: 4
Science Grade: 94
Guarantee?: No
Social Studies Grade: 94
Turn & Talk
Did the student receive an offer in Round 1?
NO!
**animation**
Let’s look at another example of a student’s application after the family has evaluated Reach, Target or Likely for all of them. Let’s also look at the student’s academics.
walk them through what’s on the screen
Now, turn and talk and answer the question: Did this student receive an offer of choice in Round 1?
give them time to discuss, then ask them to shout out. Click to bring up the No.
Great! Now, clap your hands if you discussed:
Click to animate each one
Application has less than 12 choices.
Application is not balanced.
5 missed opportunities on the Round 1 Application that are no longer available in Round 2.

42. Next Steps Explore High Schools Attend Events
Online Application System | MySchools.nyc
2019 NYC High School Directory | schools.nyc.gov/High
NYC School Finder | schoolfinder.nyc.gov
High Schools List | schools.nyc.gov/Connect
Let me provide you with my contact information. Please feel free to reach out with any questions about your child’s High School Application.
On the High School Admissions Resources website, you can find information about applying to high school (schools.nyc.gov/High). You can also find online copies of the High School Directory and the Specialized High School Handbook.
If you’d like to receive updates from the Office of Student Enrollment, you can sign up at this website (schools.nyc.gov/Connect).
Thank you for being here today! I look forward to working with you and your child to successfully apply to high school! Please feel free to reach out to me at any time.
Attend Events
High School Events Calendar | schools.nyc.gov/High
HS Fairs | September 22 and 23 and October 13 and 14
Contact [Insert Your Name]
[Insert your address] | [Insert your phone number]