Category: High School

CPS Reopening Elementary Schools

After a very trying year for so many, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) are opening elementary schools to families who opt into in-person learning. Families have a choice each quarter to either remain remote or come back for hybrid (part time) in person classes. Safety protocols and daily health screenings are required, as well as social distancing and facility improvements. More details from CPS.edu: https://www.cps.edu/school-reopening/

PreK and Cluster programs started on Feb. 11

Elementary K-5th grade begin on March 1

Elementary 6th-8th grade begin on March 8

High Schoolers are TBD and remain remote for now.

CPS Deadline Extended for Fall 2021 Programs

A message from CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Dear CPS Families,

The pandemic has impacted every aspect of our school year, including the important process our students go through when choosing the school options that will best match their talents, interests, and abilities. So to ensure everyone has the time they need to make this important decision, we are extending the GoCPS application deadline from Friday, December 11, 2020 to Friday, January 8, 2021.

We hope that this added time will give students and families the opportunity they need to carefully consider the many school options that are available throughout the district. As a result of this extension, offers for the 2021-22 school year will come out slightly later than in years past, and we will provide an update with the exact date. In the meantime, we urge our students to look at all of their options, from their neighborhood schools to offerings in STEM, IB, world language, and selective-enrollment, among others, to determine which environment will best meet their needs.

Sincerely,

Janice K. Jackson, EdD LaTanya D. McDade
Chief Executive Officer Chief Education Officer
Chicago Public Schools Chicago Public Schools

CPS 2021-2022 Applications are Now Open!

From now until Dec. 11, 2020 at 11:59pm you can apply to Chicago Public School (CPS) programs for Fall 2021 entry. Using the www.go.cps.edu platform, you can apply for 3 CPS Magnet Preschools (Suder, Drummond & Inter-American) and up to 20 out of hundreds of non-test based elementary and high school options, as well as up to 6 test based selective enrollment options. Online applications require a CPS ID number, which can be requested by non-CPS families until Nov. 23. Families can apply to both Choice (no entrance test) or Selective Enrollment (entrance test required) programs. Test based programs also require scheduling entrance testing. High schools may also require additional screening requirements. Check out www.go.cps.edu for more info.

2020 VIRTUAL Hidden Gems High School Fair on 10/25/20 @ 1-4pm

For 6th-8th grade Middle School Families looking to VIRTUALLY meet over 35 Hidden Gems High Schools on Sunday, October 25, 2020 from 1-4pm CT and learn about how to navigate admissions and testing for Chicago area high schools and beyond. (Early bird tickets until 10/11/20 and fee waivers available).

Representatives from public, private and boarding schools will be on hand to chat about their schools and let you know of other admissions events. Register HERE.

Thanks to presenting sponsor, Bennett Day School; Major Sponsors, Daystar Academy, Test Prep Chicago and GEMS World Chicago; and Supporting Sponsor, Wayland Academy.

CPS 2021-2022 Admissions Changes Ahead

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) have released some changes to the 2021-2022 Application process and are listed at https://go.cps.edu/about-gocps/2020-process-changes

REVISED CRITERIA FOR HIGH

SCHOOL ADMISSIONS

Because assessment and grading policies were impacted last year due to COVID-19, we are updating our criteria for admission to high schools.

NWEA scores
Seventh grade spring NWEA scores are used in the application and selection processes to determine students’ eligibility in the high school selective enrollment process, in addition to the enrollment process of over 100 academic programs, including International Baccalaureate (IB).

Typically, students must score a minimum percentile of 24 on both their spring reading and math NWEA exams in the year prior to applying (i.e., seventh grade spring scores for high school programs). Students with IEPs and English learners must have a combined percentile of 48, but do not need to achieve the 24th percentile on each exam.

To determine eligibility for students applying for high school admission for the fall of 2021, CPS will consider students’ highest NWEA scores from any of the following prior administrations:

  • Winter 2019
  • Fall 2019
  • Spring 2019

 

If students do not have any valid NWEA scores from these administration windows, or have not taken the NWEA with CPS, the district will be administering the exam in October, on select weekends, for interested families. More information on signing up for the Fall NWEA is available at go.cps.edu under “NWEA MAP”.

To determine selections, CPS will consider students’ highest NWEA scores from any of the prior administrations listed above and the Winter 2020 administration of NWEA.

Grades
Many programs consider students’ grades and GPA as a component of the selection process. During remote learning last spring, most students received final grades that accurately reflected their learning and work. However, we know some students were not able to participate in virtual remote learning. For the 2020–21 high school admission process , the district will use the highest scores of either their final grades or the average of their first and second quarter grades.

Selective Enrollment Exam
The selective enrollment exam is administered during the winter of eighth grade as a component of the selection process for selective enrollment high schools. CPS plans to administer this exam in person as scheduled during the winter of SY2020–21 with proper health and safety protocols in place. The dates of the selective enrollment exam will be announced in the fall.

Attendance
Some high schools consider attendance during the application and selection process. Because attendance was not tracked during remote learning in the spring, attendance will not be used as an admissions criteria for the fall of 2021.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Information Sessions
IB programs required students to attend an information session; however, students’ abilities to attend these information sessions has varied leading to inequitable outcomes for applicants to IB programs. In light of the transition to remote learning, these information sessions will not be required or the SY2020–21 application process.

Auditions
Auditions for students applying to fine and performing arts programs will be conducted remotely. Auditions vary depending upon the program; school staff will have additional information about auditions and how they will be conducted in the fall.

SELECTIVE ENROLLMENT

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ADMISSIONS

(INCLUDING ACADEMIC CENTERS)

Testing for selective enrollment elementary school programs including gifted and classical programs will also be administered in person during the winter of SY2020-21 with proper health and safety protocols in place. The dates of these exams will be announced in the fall.

Students applying to fifth through eighth grade must achieve a minimum NWEA score to apply to gifted, classical programs and academic centers. For these students, CPS will consider students’ highest NWEA scores from any of the following prior administrations:

  • Winter 2019
  • Fall 2019
  • Spring 2019

 

To determine selections, CPS will consider students’ highest NWEA scores from any of the prior administrations listed above and the Winter 2020 administration of NWEA.

INCREASED ACCESS FOR STUDENTS

WITH DISABILITIES IN HIGH SCHOOL

CLUSTER PROGRAMS

Cluster programs are designed for students requiring a significantly modified curriculum with moderate to intensive supports in a separate classroom from general education peers for the majority of the day. Prior to the upcoming application cycle, cluster students could not participate in the GoCPS high school application process. This fall, eighth grade cluster students will be able to apply to cluster programs (and other high school programs, as appropriate) through GoCPS, similar to the application process for their general education peers.

REMOTE TOURS, INFORMATION

SESSIONS, OPEN HOUSES AND

OTHER EVENTS

Learning about school options by attending tours, open houses, and other events is an important part of choosing the right fit for your child. With students starting the school year learning at home and the continued need for social distancing, schools will conduct events and tours remotely. Event details will be posted on go.cps.edu as we receive information from schools, as well as individual school websites.

Although the school year will look different this year, families will still have ample time to research their options and apply to their preferred high schools. Key dates are as follows:

  • September 14, 2020: The GoCPS website, with refreshed content for the upcoming admissions cycle, will be available for families to start researching their options.
  • October 12, 2020: The application opens for families to begin to apply.
  • December 11: Deadline for families to submit their applications.

For more information, please visit go.cps.edu or contact the Office of Access and Enrollment at gocps@cps.edu or 773-553-2060.

 

CPS Released Final Reopening Framework for Fall 2020

While parents are still waiting to hear from #CPS about their student’s schedules before the first day of school on 9/8/20, CPS did release their Final #Reopening Framework last week. https://www.cps.edu/school-reopening-2020/

Some highlights:

  • 6 hr school day including combination of live instruction and independent learning
  • Pre-K students have 60 mins live class, elementary has over 3 hours daily and high school students up to 80% live instruction
  • Small group work and peer to peer interactions via Google Education Suite
  • Virtual attendance to be taken daily
  • Letter grades to be given
  • IEPs and 504 plans plan to be followed
  • Social emotional needs are to be addressed

It remains to be seen how plans and reality play out, but we advise all parents to encourage their students to engage as much as possible while understanding the limitations at hand. For both home and school environments, conditions are FAR from ideal and the global crisis is still evolving, unfortunately.

CPS Announces Preliminary Fall 2020 Reopening Plans

After much anticipation, CPS has announced their hybrid remote learning model tentatively scheduled to roll out this Fall 2020. With the pandemic still changing each day, the plan thus far is:

  • Preschoolers return as close to full time as possible
  • K-10th graders will attend 2 days in person, 2 days with at home lessons, and one day remotely
  • In person sessions will be conducted in pods of approx. 15 people with teachers regularly assigned to each pod
  • HS juniors and seniors will most likely be fully remote

There are many impacts to this plan that CPS is seeking feedback on via their Survey. They are asking all stakeholders, including parents, students, staff and community members, to weigh in. Survey HERE.

Community meetings are being scheduled for July 27-31 to solicit input and feedback. The final plan will be announced in late August.

No plan will suit all families, but let your voice be heard by weighing in.  Helpful video explaining the plan can be found HERE.

CPS 2020-2021 SEHS Principal’s Discretion

From https://go.cps.edu/high-school/principal-discretion

The Principal Discretion application period for the 2020-2021 school year opens at 9 am on April 27th and ends at 6 pm on May 8th. Click the links below to access the Principal Discretion Handbook and Frequently Asked Questions. The handbook provides step-by-step instructions for submitting a Principal Discretion Application Package and contains the guidelines and requirements for the process.

In light of the transition of the Chicago Public Schools to remote learning, Application Packages will be accepted online, and detailed instructions will be provided to help you with the submission process. Starting at 9 am on April 27th, the online submission portal will be accessible on this page. If you are unable to submit your package online, please call the Office of Access and Enrollment at 773-553-2060, weekdays between 8 am and 6 pm, for alternate submission options.

If you have questions after you review the documents below, contact the Office of Access and Enrollment at 773-553-2060, weekdays between 8 am and 6 pm, or GOCPS@CPS.EDU.

Principal’s Discretion Handbook 2020-2021

Principal’s Discretion FAQs 2020-2021

“Touring” Schools in a Time of Social Distancing

School Notifications for 2020-2021 entry continue to come in despite our unique time of social distancing and quarantining. Rest assured, we will return to a “new normal” and when that time comes, we will need to have a school choice in place. In order to help determine school fit, we are providing a platform to crowdsource information on various schools. If you have any helpful information for prospective families to learn more about a school remotely, please share your experiences, or create a new string if you do not see a particular school below. If you are a family seeking information, please feel free to pose your question under a particular school. In each school’s entry should be a link to the CPS page with more info.

Besides this forum, we encourage everyone to check out the websites or social media streams for each school, along with any parent groups such as “Friends of” groups that typically have contact information.

We are all in this together, and in this time of need, our collective experiences can help others become better informed. Thank you!

Agassiz ElementaryAlcott Elementary
Audubon ElementaryBell Elementary
Blaine ElementaryBurley Elementary
Chappell ElementaryCoonley Elementary
Burr ElementaryBrentano Elementary
Hawthorne ElementaryGoethe Elementary
Disney ElementaryDisney II Elementary
LaSalle ElementaryLaSalle II Elementary
Nettelhorst ElementaryJahn Elementary
McPherson ElementaryRavenswood Elementary
Waters ElementaryOgden Elementary
Lincoln ElementaryMayer Elementary
Drummond MontessoriSuder Montessori
Inter-AmericanJackson Language
STEM MagnetEdison Elementary
Beaubien ElementaryGalileo Elementary
Mitchell ElementaryTalcott Elementary
Bateman ElementaryMurphy Elementary
Amundsen High SchoolChiArts
Disney II HSJones College Prep
Lake View HSLane Tech
Lincoln Park HSLindblom HS
Northside PrepOgden HS
Payton College PrepSenn HS
Von Steuben HSWhitney Young HS
Westinghouse College Prep

Spring 2020 CPS High School Notification Links

The first round of CPS High School Notifications for 2020-2021 were released on March 27, 2020. Depending on whether an 8th grade student applied to test based Selective Enrollment High Schools (SEHS) and/or non-test based Choice High Schools (including IB, Magnet, CTE, Military, Charter, etc), a student can have up to 3 public high school choices: up to one offer for SEHS, one for Choice, and their neighborhood high school.

Any offers must be accepted or declined by April 22, 2020. Waitlists will open on April 27, but families should understand that not all high schools go to a waitlist, including at least half of the SEHS.

1st Round Cutoff scores for 2020-2021 SEHS: https://cps.edu/SiteCollectionDocuments/gocps/GoCPS_Cutoff_SEHS_2020-21.pdf

1st Round Cutoff scores for 2020-2021 Choice HS (note- not all programs have cutoff scores): https://cps.edu/SiteCollectionDocuments/gocps/GoCPS_Cutoff_Choice_2020-21.pdf

SEHS Principal’s Discretion is only for students who applied to Selective Enrollment High Schools (SEHS) but would like to enter a holistic appeal process that allows an SEHS Principal to select 5% of the freshman class for another SEHS on their list. A packet of information will be released shortly to detail the steps and timing.

Second Round CPS 2020-2021 Student ID Request Open

Families who missed applying to the first round of CPS elementary and high school programs for 2020-2021 can request to be put into CPS’s application system by filling out their CPS Student ID request form.  

From go.cps.edu:

THE CPS ID REQUEST
PROCESS FOR THE SECOND
ROUND FOR THE 2020-2021
SCHOOL YEAR IS NOW OPEN!
In order to apply online in the second round for the 2020-2021 school year to Choice Elementary Schools for grades K-8, or to ninth grade to programs without NWEA MAP eligibility requirements, your child must have a CPS ID number. In order to request a CPS ID number, click the “REQUEST FORM” link below.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdRc4kwoX0S0N8Q_NliY2P_I7N3FLokJeCAwjJgvRA05WtuMQ/viewform

Non-CPS Students to Take NWEA MAP Test This Spring 2020

From CPS Office of Access & Enrollment:
 
“CPS is now administering the NWEA MAP exam to non-CPS students in the spring in order to align with the NWEA MAP testing schedule offered to students enrolled in the Chicago Public Schools system. CPS is now accepting NWEA MAP registration forms for non–CPS students who plan to apply to grades 5-9 for the 2021-2022 school year to Selective Enrollment Elementary Schools and high schools with academic requirements including, but not limited to, CTE-College and Career Academies, IB High Schools, Magnet High Schools, Service Leadership Academies, and Selective Enrollment High Schools. 
For students who do not currently attend a CPS school, will not be enrolled at a CPS school for the 2020-2021 school year, and will be applying to any of the aforementioned schools for grades 5-9 for the 2021-2022 school year, the NWEA MAP will be offered free of charge at multiple locations around the city.

Click the links below to access the NWEA MAP registration form and additional information. The test will be offered on two weekends in May 2020 and one weekend in June 2020. In order for students to be scheduled to take the test in May or June, completed registration forms must be received by the Office of Access and Enrollment no later than April 3, 2020. Submission instructions are on the registration form.

Letter to Parents

NWEA MAP Registration Form

Frequently Asked Questions

Please note that the NWEA MAP test is used by the Chicago Public Schools system to determine student eligibility to apply to schools and programs with academic criteria. The NWEA MAP is NOT the admissions exam for Selective Enrollment schools. If you are interested in Selective Enrollment schools, the NWEA MAP scores will be used to determine whether their children are eligible to take the Selective Enrollment admissions exam. If your child is eligible to take the Selective Enrollment admissions exam, you will submit a GoCPS application and schedule the Selective Enrollment admissions exam during the regular application period this fall. More information on this process will be provided when you receive your child’s NWEA MAP test notification letter, approximately 1-2 weeks before your child’s NWEA MAP test date.

In addition, note that NWEA MAP scores will only be reported in reading and math percentiles. You will not receive an NWEA MAP score report or RIT scores. Further, it is important for your to be aware that this test is only offered for students who are planning to apply to Chicago public schools for enrollment in the 2021-2022 school year. It is NOT designed for parents to use as a practice exam for enrollment in subsequent school years.”

Re-rank CPS 2020-2021 HS & SE Applications until 2/3/20

While applications for the first round of 2020-2021 Entry to Chicago Public Schools closed on 12/13/19, families can re-rank their selective enrollment and/or their high school Choice selections until Feb 3, 2020. Contact the Office of Access and Enrollment at 773-553-2060 or GOCPS@CPS.EDU for instructions on re-ranking

These ranked applications will only offer a single choice for each list (selective enrollment RGC/Classical, Academic Centers, SE schools and non-selective Choice high schools). A family’s neighborhood school never has a deadline for enrollment.

Elementary Choice (non-selective) programs such as magnet and open enrollment schools are not ranked. Families can get multiple offers for those elementary programs.

First round notifications for high schools will be released on March 27, 2020 and elementary schools will be released on April 24, 2020.

CPS 2020-2021 Applications are Open

Apply now to high school, elementary school, and 3 magnet preschools via www.go.cps.edu now through Dec. 13, 2019. https://go.cps.edu/about-gocps

Non-CPS Students: Register for 5-9th Grade CPS NWEA Testing

Non-CPS students who are interested in applying for 5th-9th grade CPS programs for Fall 2020 should be sure to take the CPS administered NWEA Map tests.  CPS requires this qualifying test of reading and math to be taken by all non-CPS students applying to selective programs in those upper grades. Students can register by August 30 to take the tests on Sept. 21, 22, 28, 29 or Oct. 5 or 6.  All students who test by those dates will be able to use the online GoCPS application system.  All current CPS students will have their spring NWEA Map scores used for qualifications and rubric calculations. GoCPS applications are open 9/30/19-12/6/19.

Spring 2019- CPS High School Notification Links

Results finally came out after a jam in the online notification portal, but here are some relevant links to study at your leisure.

Round 1 SEHS Cutoff Scores: https://cps.edu/SiteCollectionDocuments/gocps/GoCPS_Cutoff_SEHS_2019.pdf

Round 1 Choice (Non-selective) Cutoff Scores: https://cps.edu/SiteCollectionDocuments/gocps/GoCPS_Cutoff_Choice_2019.pdf

SEHS Principal’s Discretion Handbook (this allows an SEHS Principal to select 5% of the freshman class via a holistic admissions method): https://cps.edu/SiteCollectionDocuments/gocps/PrincipalDiscretionHandbook.pdf

SEHS Principal’s Discretion FAQs: https://cps.edu/SiteCollectionDocuments/gocps/PrincipalDiscretionFAQs.pdf

GoCPS also has some helpful videos to aide in understanding how to interpret the results: https://go.cps.edu/high-school/selection

Good luck to the 8th graders! Wherever you end up, make the most of your time there as high school breezes by so quickly!

First Round CPS 2019-2020 Applications Close 12/14/18!

Don’t miss the 12/14/18 deadline to apply to a wide range of CPS options for Fall 2019.  Paper applications must be RECEIVED by 6pm at CPSOAE (see below) and online applications need to be submitted by 11:59pm via https://cps.schoolmint.net/signup.  Only families who have a CPS Student ID can use the online application.  All others need to use a paper application.

Submit elementary or high school paper applications to the Office of Access and Enrollment, 42 W. Madison St., Garden Level, Chicago, IL 60602. DO NOT SEND YOUR APPLICATION TO THE SCHOOL(S) TO WHICH YOU ARE APPLYING. Applications must be RECEIVED by December 14, 2018 by 6pm. Note that this is a RECEIVED BY date, NOT a postmarked date.
Applications received after December 14, 2018, will not be processed.

Researching schools? Check out the very informative GoCPS Search tool which can quickly show you school locations based on program types (magnet, selective enrollment, IB, military, CTE) or program group (fine & performing arts, STEM, academic centers, etc), sorted by grades or ratings, etc.  Clicking on a school’s name will show a bounty of school data.

Second rounds for any programs that still have space typically begins in April for high school and May for elementary schools.

Good luck on your CPS school search!

CPS 2019-2020 Applications are Now Open!

From now until Dec 14, 2018, you can go to www.go.cps.edu and learn about applying to CPS programs from Preschool to High School.  The applications are open and you can apply to schools and schedule testing or admissions screenings until the December deadline.

Lots of helpful info at the following links:

PreK FAQs

Elementary FAQs

High School FAQs

Remember, you can apply for up to 6 Selective Enrollment (test based) schools but must rank your choices and you will get a single offer.

You can also choose up to 20 non-selective (now called “Choice Programs”) lottery schools but elementary has no ranking and multiple offers while high school you do need to rank and it is single offer.  Good luck!

Note: CPS Tiers also change each year on October 1st, so check your tier by entering your address at https://go.cps.edu/search.  They can go up, down or stay the same each year.

Hidden Gems High School Fair THIS SUNDAY 9/30/18

Live in the city and have middle school aged (6th-8th grade) children? Come to the 7th Annual “Hidden Gems” Chicago High School Fair THIS Sunday, September 30th from 1-4pm to meet representatives from over 35 public and private high schools (and several resource vendors) that have terrific programs and more holistic or realistic admissions standards. 7th and 8th grade can be a stressful year for you and your students – take the pressure off by realizing all of the great options in the Chicagoland area.  See our frequently updated list of participating schools online.
 
Register today for discounted early registration pricing: HS Fair Registration
Details for Hidden Gems High School Fair
The schedule for the program will be as follows:
Doors open at 12:30pm, but Disney II tours are available starting at 12:15pm.
  • 1PM:  Introduction from Chicago School GPS and Amundsen High School (sponsor) in the auditorium
  • 1:05PM-2:00PM:  Brief 1 minute presentation from each school (historically the most enlightening portion of the fair)
  • 2:00PM-4:00PM:  School exhibitor booths open
  • 2:30PM-4:00PM:  Half hour Information sessions for parents:
    • High School Admissions for public & private schools
    • Entrance Exam Testing for SEHS, HSPT & ISEE
    • Scholarship Ins and Outs
  • 2:30PM-4:00PM:  Half hour participation sessions for middle schoolers:
    • Peer to Peer forums – high school ambassadors (one per school) answer questions from middle schoolers
    • Middle Schooler workshop- tips on writing a high school entrance essay
    • Executive Functioning Skills workshop
  • 4:00PM:  Fair ends  
Come learn about wonderful high school options and reduce your family’s stress about their high school search!  Register NOW! (Fee waivers available)

 

Non-CPS Applicants for 2019-2020 CPS High Schools to Register for MAP

CPS will be administering the Reading & Math NWEA MAP tests to rising non-CPS 8th graders this September.  Check out more info HERE: https://cps.edu/sitecollectiondocuments/gocps/GoCPS-NWEA-NonCPSRegistration.pdf and online at GoCPS.

From the pdf:

“Dear Non-CPS School Parent:

As you may know, the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) currently utilizes the Northwestern Evaluation Association Measures of Academic Progress (NWEA MAP) for the eligibility/selection process for students applying to schools with academic requirements, including, but not limited to, CTE-College and Career Academies, International Baccalaureate High Schools, Magnet High Schools, Military Academies, and Selective Enrollment Elementary and High Schools.

The NWEA MAP will be offered free of charge for students who did not attend a CPS school during the 2017-2018 school year, are not currently enrolled at a CPS school, and will be applying for the 2019-2020 school year to grades 5-9 for schools with academic requirements.

The test is a two-part assessment: math and reading. Typically, the test is administered on two separate days; if you like, you can indicate your preference to have your child take both sections of the test on the same date. The test will be administered on September 15-16, 2018; September 22-23, 2018; and September 29-30, 2018. There will be two sessions offered on each of these days.

In order for students to be scheduled to test, the registration form must be received by the Office of Access and Enrollment no later than September 7, 2018. The test will be offered at four sites: Curie Metropolitan High School, Lane Tech High School, Lindblom Math and Science Academy, and Westinghouse College Preparatory High School. Students will be scheduled for the test location closest to their home address. PLEASE NOTE that your child cannot be considered for any school with minimum eligibility requirements if he/she does not take the NWEA MAP that is administered by the Chicago Public Schools system.

Please complete the attached NWEA MAP registration form and submit it to the Office of Access and Enrollment, indicating your preferred test weekend, as well as whether you want your child to take the test on one day or two. Note that indicating your preferred test weekend does not guarantee that your child will be scheduled for that weekend. Students will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. CPS will put test notification letters in the U.S. mail, to the home address on the registration form, one week prior to the student’s first test date. Reminder notifications will be sent as well, via robocall and email.

Please carefully review the NWEA MAP application and related material. Should you have additional questions after you review this information, please contact the Office of Access and Enrollment at 773-553-2060 or oae@cps.edu.”

Helpful FAQs can be found here: https://cps.edu/sitecollectiondocuments/gocps/GoCPS-NWEA-FAQ.pdf

CPS Round 2 High School Application Deadline 5/4/18
 WHAT IS ROUND 2?

Round 2 is a new application period where only the high school programs that still have available seats after Round 1 will be available. Families can select and rank up to 20 Non-Selective Enrollment programs and up to 2 Selective Enrollment schools (if the student took the Selective Enrollment High Schools admissions exam AND received a total point score of 600 or higher). The student could receive a single best offer to one school in each category if they are matched.  For full instructions on this round, please download our Round 2 Application Guide.  Check out the Round 2 Program List.

EXTREMELY IMPORTANT MESSAGE

PLEASE NOTE: If you accepted a first-round offer, you should ONLY apply to programs in the second round if you want them MORE than the first-round offer that you accepted. If you receive a second-round offer, you will AUTOMATICALLY forfeit the first-round offer you accepted. Do not apply to programs in the second round unless you are certain that you want each of them MORE than the first-round offer you accepted. If you accept/accepted a waitlist offer, this will not be affected by the second round application.  If you submit a second-round application, be sure to rank your choices in the order of your preference (put the program you want MOST as number 1, the program you want next as number 2, etc.).
WHEN SHOULD I CONSIDER ROUND 2?
Round 2 is ONLY recommended for families that:
  • Moved to Chicago after the Round 1 application deadline. 
  • Did not participate in Round 1 and would like to try to be matched with a high school program of their choosing.
  • Declined their Round 1 offer and found program(s) they would prefer to attend available in Round 2.
  • Accepted a Round 1 offer, but found program(s) they would prefer to attend available in Round 2.
  • Were ruled ineligible to apply to a program in Round 1, but are now eligible to apply to that program in Round 2.
CAN I REAPPLY TO ROUND 1 PROGRAMS THAT I DID NOT GET INTO?
You cannot re-apply in Round 2 to any programs where you are already on a waitlist. Round 1 applicants have been automatically added to the waitlist for all programs that they were (1) eligible for selection in Round 1 and (2) were ranked higher than the one they received an offer from.  If you are on a waitlist and a seat becomes available for you, you will be notified by the school.
You can, however, reapply to any programs ranked lower than the Round 1 offer you received. And in certain cases where a student is now eligible to apply to programs they were not eligible to apply to in Round 1, they can apply in Round 2.

ARE YOU READY TO APPLY?

If you have read through all the background information on Round 2, have thoroughly evaluated all your options, and feel that participating in Round 2 is the right thing for your family, log into your GoCPS account to start applying today.

Spring 2018 CPS High School Offers

The 2018-2019 CPS High School notifications were released on Friday, March 30. The “First Round” deadline is April 13, and then families can enter into a “Second Round” for any leftover available spaces.

It’s a new process this spring so along with the release are some informative videos and information from GoCPS as well as the following, cut and pasted directly from the websites linked below:

FAQs: High School Application Process

Information regarding the GoCPS high school application process can be found in the High School FAQs. If you have additional questions, contact the Office of Access and Enrollment at 773-553-2060 or gocps@cps.edu.

Principal Discretion Process: 2018-2019 School Year

Principal Discretion is a process that allows Selective Enrollment High School principals to fill a designated number of ninth grade seats, outside of the regular selection process, based on information provided through application packages submitted by students.

Applicants to ninth grade can apply to a Selective Enrollment school through the Principal Discretion process if they (1) did not receive a Selective Enrollment offer, or (2) they received a Selective Enrollment offer but would like to be considered for a different Selective Enrollment High School. (You do not have decline an offer in order to apply for Principal Discretion).

The Principal Discretion application period for the 2018-2019 school year begins at 9 am on April 9th and ends at 6 pm on April 20th. The application will be posted beginning on April 9th. Click the links below to access the Principal Discretion Handbook and Frequently Asked Questions. The handbook provides step-by-step instructions for submitting a Principal Discretion application package and contains the guidelines and requirements for the process.

If you have questions after you review these documents, contact the Office of Access and Enrollment 773-553-2060 or gocps@cps.edu.

Cutoff Scores

Click the links below to access the cutoff scores for the 2018-2019 high school selection process:

CPS 2018-2019 School Calendar

Always an exciting time when CPS releases the next school year calendar.  Here are some of the important dates for the 2018-2019 CPS school year:
First Day of School – 9/4/18, Last Day of School – 6/18/19
Academic Quarters – Q1 – 11/1/18, Q2 – 1/31/19, Q3 – 4/4/19, Q4 – 6/18/19
Parent Teacher Conference Days – 11/14/18 (ES), 11/15/18 (HS), 4/10/19 (ES), 4/11/19 (HS)
Winter Vacation – 12/24/18 – 1/4/19, Spring Vacation – 4/15/19 – 4/19/19
School Improvement Days – 11/2/18, 2/1/19, 4/5/19, 6/19/19
Please note: Veterans Day will be observed on Monday, 11/12/18.
 http://cps.edu/SiteCollectionDocuments/SY18-19Calendar_English.pdf

Filling the Void and Growing the Community

With the retirement of the indispensable and incomparable CPSObsessed blog that helped Chicago families for almost a decade, a sudden panic seized Chicago parents on where they would turn to soothe their obsession of tracking scores, tiers and offers for CPS admissions or learn about changing application processes or hear about new or up and coming schools, etc.  While CPSObsessed was the place to visit for all things CPS, many parents were also weighing private school options or wondering about special need supports and a myriad of other school related topics.

Out of this gaping void came the genesis for ChicagoSchoolOptions. This new website aims to be a crowdsourced destination for the next crop of anxious Chicago parents looking for answers.  It will only be as useful as those who contribute to the site make it, so please feel free to login and post to the School Forum or email us if you would like to help improve the site, be an editor or contributor (this uses a WordPress platform) or have any advice on increasing the user-friendliness.  Currently it is maintained by someone with more passion for the topics than technical savvy about the platform.

We welcome your help to make ChicagoSchoolOptions the “go-to” site for sharing Chicago area school knowledge. From preschool to high school, public and private, general, gifted and special ed, this site is meant to help fellow parents gain a better understanding of all their school related questions.  Contact us if you have anything to share and help us grow our community!

CPS High School from Fall 2017: Continuing the Discussion from CPSO

GoCPS is adding features to be a great resource for Chicago families.

For those looking to discuss the 2018-2019 application cycle for CPS High school options, feel free to check out the threads at CPSObsessed- High School Application News Fall 2017 and continue your thoughts either in the comments below or on the School Forum pages.

CPS & Private School Admissions

The annual ritual of applying to Chicago schools for the following fall admissions is almost done.  While CPS applications for the 2018-2019 school year closed on Dec. 22, 2017, there are some private schools with applications still open or rolling admissions.   CPS is in the thick of their supplemental admissions process, such as administering NWEA MAP and Selective Enrollment testing, info sessions, and auditions, while private schools may still allow for additional screenings (interviews, playdates, shadow days, etc) into the first few months of 2018.

Good luck to everyone on their school search, and please do visit our School Forum pages to learn or post about various Chicago schools.  This website thrives on parents helping fellow parents, so the more information provided, the better.  Thank you and best wishes for a successful 2018!