Home › Forums › Chicago Public Schools (CPS) › CPS Elementary Schools › Selective Enrollment Elementary Schools (SEES) › Spring 2025- CPS SEES Gifted and Classical Results
Tagged: Classical, CPS, CPS applications, CPS Tiers, gifted, SEES, Selective Enrollment
- This topic has 167 replies, 1 voice, and was last updated 1 hour, 6 minutes ago by
Applying Parent.
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chicagoschooloptions
KeymasterCPS will release elementary school offers for any programs applied to via the GoCPS applications (SEES & Choice Programs) as follows:
- APRIL 11th, 2025 – Results Released
- MAY 2nd, 2025 – Accept/Decline Deadline
- MAY 19th, 2025 – Rolling Waitlist Process Opens
- 2 BUSINESS DAYS AFTER OFFER ISSUED – Waitlist Accept/Decline Deadline
Please feel free to post results to share. Applicants may be offered one Selective Enrollment ES offer and one Choice offer (if applicable). Their neighborhood school is always available for them to attend at any time.
Comment below about your child’s SEES Classical and/or Gifted results and include the grade applied to, your Tier (if applicable), point total or percentage, and what order the school was ranked on your application. If you applied to Choice (lottery) schools as well, please post HERE. Good luck!
Here are videos slidedeck on “Selections Process Explained”
Guide to Understanding Rankings & Cutoff Scores is HERE. Cutoff scores are now posted for Classical and Gifted SEES programs. Tiers are only applicable for the entry year of a program (typically K for RGC & Classical or 7th for Academic Centers). Cut scores are HERE.
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KW
GuestLogin is available at the apply.cps.edu website! This year’s website is harder to navigate than last year’s, but once you login, click on View at “Classical and Regional Gifted Center Programs 2025-26 Application” and then scroll all the way down to see your place at the schools you selected. Good luck everyone!
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HK
GuestHow much do waitlists move for non-entry grades? My child is on the waitlist for a non-entry grade at McPherson. Does anyone have experience with those waitlists and willing to share a waitlist number and whether they got an offer?
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JS
GuestLast year my child was #12 on McPherson’s waitlist for 2nd grade. We got an offer by late July. I hope this helps.
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kA
GuestDid you accept an offer before then? What happens to your spots on the waitlist if you accept a choice offer?
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Bportmom
GuestYes actually I tracked that. Last year my daughter was 19 for NTA 1st grade and got down to 8, and 54 at Pritzker and ended up at 40.
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kA
GuestThe NTA movement is surprisingly high given they have 28 spots.
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Bportmom
GuestYeah, my lesson from having a kid there is that kids move around for all sorts of reasons. To be with siblings,
To be closer to home, to the suburbs, they move out of state, etc. I think that’s true a lot of places, and I imagine NTA in particular has a lot of people who consider it their second or third choice and get in to preferred schools, so the list moves.
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kA
GuestIt says #3 on my highest rank classical waitlist and #12 for RGC. I’m not quite sure what a tier waitlist is. What are my odds of getting into either?
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Lakshmi
GuestLast year, my daughter was #8 in Tier 3 for Decatur in Kindergarten, and it only moved to #3 in Tier 3 by the end of July. This year, she is on general waitlist #2 for Decatur and general waitlist #30 for Edison. Depending on the school you applied to and the demand for it, it is possible the waitlist does not move at all or moves very slowly, because kids who get into these top schools don’t want to give up their spot. #3 waitlist seems promising though. Sorry, I hope this helps.
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kA
GuestWhat did you end up doing if you don’t mind me asking? Did you apply to choice and if so did you accept an offer before the rolling waitlist?
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AT
GuestIs there a scoring rubric again this year? One of my kids actually had the point total for RGC, but the other one did not have a total for the Classical. And also, I’d be interested in the cut scores.
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Lakshmi
GuestI think this is the cut scores, they are calling in Point total now.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RUmvrTbe7j4gK3fEhrB8zWGL10aK4U9a/view-
AT
GuestThanks!
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Amy
GuestHow does the general waitlist work for grades 1 and above? are all the students ahead of us really on the waitlist? I have heard that a lot of students that are already in classical or RGC will take the test every year for practice, so do these kids list other schools to see how they do?
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Lakshmi
GuestI’d like to know about this too. My daughter is #2 in Decatur and General waitlist #30 in Edison for Grade 1. I know a few families who are in classical/RGC already and they take the test every year like you said to see where they stand. If they get into a better school, they take it.
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ChiDadAttorney
GuestWhich Grade did she test for? What are her Verbal/Math scores?
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one_more_time
GuestKindergarten, T4, offered SN. There will be a spot at Sheridan opening up.
Good luck everyone!
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RossEntrance
GuestWe got into Skinner North Kindergarten. Tier 4. 242.5/300 on Classical and 245/300 on Gifted. Skinner was our top choice.
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Chicago Parent
GuestTier 1, tested for K at 4 years, 8 months and offered SW (1st choice). Good luck everyone.
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Chicago Parent
Guestapologies, meant tier 4
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leafy
GuestAnyone know how to interpret the results? Last year there was chart that showed you what the scores meant. Esp RGC scores
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Applying Parent
Guest
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Jill
GuestMy child applied to 3 regional gifted programs. We did not receive an offer but it says we are “general waitlist” for each of these programs and it tells us the waitlist number for each school. We only applied for RGC, not anything else, but waitlist says “general.” Does that mean we are that waitlist number for the RGC program at each school or does “general waitlist” mean something different? My understanding is that if her score wasn’t high enough to be considered that the response would have been “not offered” but the terminology “general waitlist” is confusing.
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Bportmom
GuestThat means you’re on the waitlist for the RGC program and there are no tier considerations (you must not be an entry level). Your kids score qualified them for the waitlist, otherwise as you say, it would say Admin declined.
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Jill
GuestSorry, one other thing to note: This is for 4th grade entry to RGC (oddly enough, the cutoff scores listed are only specified for kindergarten, so I’m not even sure how to interpret her score). I also have not been able to locate the scores from last year–we used to be able to see the history. Any insights on where to get her prior scores?
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HK
GuestMy understanding is that for non-entry years, tiers no longer count, so that’s why it says general waitlist.
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HK
GuestSorry, just to add – I don’t think they give cutoff scores for non-entry years, either (but I could be wrong on this!) I can see my child’s scores from last year if I log in to the old schoolmint site where the application was last year. Hope this is helpful!
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Bportmom
GuestFor my son’s entry, into 3rd grade, his composure score was a 134. He got in off the waitlist. I think the K scores run about 10 points higher than the non-K scores because they’re scored on a different metric but don’t quote me on that.
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SA
GuestWe are #4 on Tier Waitlist (Tier 4) for Beaubien RGC for 1st grade (entry year). Wondering if we stand any kind of chance but assuming we likely don’t? And can anyone help explain how the tiers work with waitlists?
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ChiMama
GuestThere were at least some tier 4 off the waitlist last year at Beaubien for 1st grade. No idea how many.
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SA
GuestThanks for the insight!
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evagreen
GuestWe received an offer from Beaubian for 1st grade, tier 4. Will decline the offer so at list one spot will be free soon. Good luck.
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SB
Guest28 on wait-list at Lane, Tier 4, RGC point total: 257.5, academic center: 557.5
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Vin
GuestMy kiddo is number 2 on waitlist at Pritzker gifted program for second grade. What are the chances of her getting in? Does anyone have any similar experience and got in?
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Bportmom
GuestVery high. The rising first grade list moved 15 points last summer.
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Sarah
GuestWas this for non entry level grade? My daughter is a rising second grader.
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Bportmom
GuestYes, 1st isn’t an entry grade. I assume older grade waitlists move less but 2 is still good odds.
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Vin
GuestThanks. Was that for Pritzker? I’m hoping she is able to get in 🤞
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LSmom
GuestChances may be good depending on class movement. Currently kiddo is in 2nd grade at Pritzker. We had 2 kids leave last year and 4 new students join this year.
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WTmom
GuestOur daughter received an offer for Pritzker’s gifted program for kindergarten, but we recently saw comments from another parent who pulled their child after two years in the gifted program due to problems at the school. Wondering if anyone here could share thoughts on their experience at Pritzker, good or bad?
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HP
GuestOur oldest was offered Pritzker for PreK shortly after the pandemic hit. We ended up withdrawing, mainly for logistical reasons, but also because we were very unimpressed by the school’s communication. I distinctly remember asking what options there were for working parents given the 9am start time and being treated like this was an absurd question. It eventually became clear that before care programming was up in the air due to the pandemic, which is understandable, but I’m not sure why I had to be chastised for asking about it. I also went to their open house this fall and found it absolutely chaotic. It was by far the least impressive school tour I’ve ever experienced. I’m acquainted with a few families and their feedback (bad for diverse learners, poor communication) has reinforced my perception that it’s probably not the best option out there.
We’re located about the same distance from Morton as we are from Pritzker and were really impressed after their tour, so although it’s less established and in a less desirable area, we felt it was a stronger choice. We also ended up getting offered Morton, so I may be biased, but I would recommend giving them a look if you have misgivings about Pritzker. Given their lower cut score, it could be a possible alternative option if you’re up for trying the waitlist.
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EC
GuestWe are considering Morton for our rising 2nd grader but are interested in the community factor. Have you found that the parents are involved and kids see each other outside of school? I know it varies from class to class but wasn’t sure how spread out people are throughout the city. We have heard great things about the principal and were impressed on our tour but community is an important factor for us.
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HP
GuestOur offer is for Kinder, so not a lot of insight on the community yet unfortunately, but I agree that the principal seems great, as does the RGC coordinator. I appreciate that their program seems to be coherent and intentional, and I love that one of their specials is “genius hour”. I think I am concerned that other families may be basing their decisions on school reputations without giving the school a good look, as I know from the class sizes they shared during their fall tour that they have not filled all their seats in the past. We are going to wait until after the 4/23 open house to accept, as right now our main fear is what if they end up with a class size of 10? 15? Our child is very social. But as I see others in our circle tending to be more interested in Pritzker/Bell or SW/SN (even through I hear complaints about Pritzker and SW), now that we have a Morton offer, I am hoping others will give the program a look and see what we see so that we end up being able to be a part of a growing, viable program.
To go back to your original question, since that went on a tangent, the RGC coordinator did address the community aspect some on the fall tour we took. The way they put it is that they have seen a divide between the way RGC parents want to engage vs the neighborhood families, but the RGC parent involvement is strong, and the school is actively working to bridge the gap and build a more connected and engaged school community. They seem to have a lot of activities and events if you look at their calendar, which seems encouraging.
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eastvillagemom
GuestWe have been at Pritzker for years. The first couple years after the pandemic were pretty bad, both in terms of administrative and classroom communications. This year is so much better. I think it’s teacher specific and the PTO is also back together and organized, which is making a huge difference.
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HNL
GuestMy child started in the RGC program at Pritzker in fourth grade this year, and the experience has been fantastic. I have heard similar complaints from parents about poor communication by the admin, but so far we haven’t had any complaints. My kid has really thrived here in a way that has made me believe this is the right school for him. The fourth grade teacher is absolutely amazing and very supportive of neurodiverse kids. There is also before school care available now although it is quite expensive compared to the program that was available at our neighborhood school.
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Momomom
GuestCan you please share the prices for before and after care?
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HNL
GuestHere’s the pricing from the provider: https://apollo-pritzker.jumbula.com/
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Momomom
GuestThank you!
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Jamie
GuestWe are #6, tier 2 wait-listed for gifted kinder at pritzer- guessing we don’t have a chance?
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Bportmom
GuestI think that’s a good number TBH.
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Edison
GuestMy child got an offer from Edison, she will be grade 4, currently at Bell. So 2 spots will be available for 4th grade at Bell coming year: my child’s, and a classmate relocating to a different state
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BMom
GuestIs it okay to know why you choose to go to Edison not staying at Bell?
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Edison
GuestBell is a great school, especially parents are a gem! We chose to switch only because Edison is closer to our home, it will be walking distance, we wouldn’t have to drive her to school anymore. My child and I both love Bell so much!
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Karla
GuestHi my daughter received an offer at Edison for kinder. Would you mind sharing a bit about your experience at Edison? We really love our neighborhood school but we obviously have to accept the offer at Edison. We’d be crazy not to right? Thanks!
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Edison
GuestAnd her brother already goes to Edison, so for our family logistics wise it would be easier. Thats the only reason
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Confounded Dad
GuestHi There,
Can someone explain how CPS determines the composite score?
RGC Non-Verbal Score — 128
RGC Verbal Score — 132
RGC Composite Score — 132
Thanks,
Confounded Dad
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Edison
GuestThis year’s scoring system confused me too. I asked chatGPT, it was able to explain well. Just as an idea, try asking chatgpt! Hope it helps! 🙂
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Sarah
GuestHi does anyone have any experience with Pritzker gifted program? Thanks
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KW
GuestI do. What grade are you going into?
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Sarah
GuestShe’s going into second grade.
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LSmom
GuestWe’re currently in 2nd grade at Pritzker.
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Sarah
GuestHello, does anyone know how much the waitlist moves for Bell? Daughter currently # 13 on waitlist for second grade.
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KW
GuestLast year’s Bell’s rising 2nd grade class had only 1 open spot.
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Chimom323
GuestDoes anyone know for kindergarten entry when the tiers are no longer taken into consideration for the waitlist?
Right now with the waitlists, I’m guessing my position means that that # of people in my tier would need to turn down an offer.
But at some point they combine all those waitlists and just make it all one list, right?
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ChiDadAttorney
GuestIs your waitlist for General or Tiered? What’s your# and which school?
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KW
GuestI don’t think so. The tiered waitlist lasts throughout the whole waitlist process for kindergarten.
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Applying Parent
GuestThey used to do this in previous years, but no longer do. You will remain on the waitlist for your specific tier throughout the waitlist process.
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Teane
GuestHello. We are #5-6 WL for Bell and Edison 3rd grade entry with composite RGC score 141. Does anyone have an idea if something may happen for us this summer?
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KW
GuestIn my opinion, there is a small chance. Last year for Edison’s 2nd grade, I think someone at #6 or 7 was offered a spot near the end of the summer.
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HNL
GuestLast year, we applied for Bell RGC, second grade, and the waitlist only moved about five spots. It was unclear how many of those were kids just dropping from the waitlist compared to actual acceptances.
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KW
GuestLast year’s rising 2nd grade Bell RGC class had only 1 open spot. I think Edison had 3-4 spots open up. My guess is those on the Bell waitlist took Edison spots (or other school spots, or declined for other reasons).
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Billy
GuestFor kindergarten, it says Bell had 28 offers out of 747 applicants last year. I’m guess if you’re not in the top 3 wait-list, you’re not getting in.
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Teane
GuestI am asking for non-entry grade, not K.
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Sixthgrader
GuestI got in to Decatur, my first choice. 298.5/300.
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ChiDadAttorney
GuestWow! That’s one genius child. Congratulations!
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Luis
Guestmy son tested for fourth grade,, he is tier 2 with a 253/300 score, im wondering why he wouldnt be offered a seat at Skinner North, anybody know how to make sense of the numbers?
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ML parent
GuestI could be wrong but you need an almost perfect score to get a seat at SN depending on your tier.
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Applying Parent
GuestTier is only considered at the entry year. Since you’re applying to 4th grade, Tier doesn’t matter. There are usually very few spots open at SN if you are applying to any grade 1-6, so the score required for an offer is often 99/99 or close to it
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Danijela
GuestTier is only a factor for Kindergarten entry.
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Mia
GuestMy kid is #1 waitlist for Tier 4 Skinner West, kindergarten. I know they have very few spots, is there still some chance to get the offer?
Thank you!-
AT
GuestLast year my son was #8 Tier 4, and when the rolling waitlist opened up, he dropped to #6. So there’s a chance!
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AT
Guest(He was in the skinner west waitlist)
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Mia
GuestThank you for the information!
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Mia
GuestOur score is reading 96% math 99%, classical 226.3/300
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JL219
GuestMy son is listed at #9, tier 2, for POE classical. Has anyone had any experience with the tier waitlist vs. general waitlist? Do the RGC’s and Classical schools both have general and tier list? Thanks
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AT
GuestMy kid got 99% on both math and reading for classical for non entry year (rising first grader.) He is waitlisted #10 for Skinner West. Has anyone seen movement on the skinner west non-entry year waitlists in the past?
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ML parent
GuestSkinner west has only 1 classical class per grade. A spot would need to open up in this years K class for another student to enter at 1st grade level.
This happened this year twice in my daughter’s 1st grade class. Two kids dropped out of the program end of K opening up two spots.
They should let parents know how many spots are available after K so you know how to rank schools. Applying to skinner west after K makes no sense of a spot isn’t available.
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AT
GuestIt makes sense if you don’t know whether a spot will open up when you apply in the fall.
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Momomom
GuestDo you mind sharing the reading/math scores? (I think may different scores may map to 99 percentile.)
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AT
GuestHi – sure— his math was 157 and his reading was 154. His classical point total was 300/300. I don’t know the scoring rubric used to get the points, but it’s nice this year that they just told us and we don’t have to do the math! Both were 99th percentile. So I’m thinking getting into skinner classical is not going to happen. But I will put in a plug for Morton RGC – it’s an excellent program. My 5 y.o. Is thriving. We might move my 8 y.o. From skinner classical to Morton RGC.
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Momomom
GuestThank you! Those are the exact same score as my daughter. She got a Pritzker RGC offer, but wondering what waitlist number she would be at SW classical. I guess you answered my question!
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AT
GuestMy older soon is at Skinner West classical, however he got accepted into Morton RGC. His brother is in Morton RGC, but got waitlisted for Skinner west classical (non entry year.)
My older son is desperate not to leave his friends. The issue is that Morton RGC is a better run, higher quality school. And they’d both be in the same school.
Any thoughts on detrimental effects on elementary school children changing schools at that age? I know there’s no perfect answer, but looking for perspectives.
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HNL
GuestI think it really depends on your kid! Mine moved from his neighborhood school to Pritzker RGC for fourth grade this school year. At first he was a little resistant to the idea of change but he had very few actual friends at his previous school and he was constantly bored in class. So the change was relatively easy for him. I can imagine the transition being much tougher if your child has deeper social connections though. Good luck! It’s a tough decision.
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Confuzzled
GuestHi there. First year applying for Regional Gifted Center for 1st grade. So confused by how these numbers add up. We’re far down on waitlist. I see on the tiers points pdf that you have to score above 150 to even be waitlisted. Our kid’s scores are listed below. So is it the 172 that counts for her? Cause if it was the Composite one listed she wouldn’t have even gotten a waitlist, right? Just no idea how to evaluate this.
Scores for School Year 2025-26
RGC Verbal Score – 115
RGC Non-Verbal Score – 104
RGC Composite Score – 109Point Calculations for School
Year 2025-26
RGC Point Total – 172.5/300We also totally misunderstood the RGC application process and only applied to the school she’s only attending for their RGC. So is it too late to see if this score could have got her into another school?
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ChiMama
GuestYes, It’s the 172 that is the comparison. Only Keller and Beaubien have first grade entry so only those scores will show for the cut-off score in the PDFs. For Non-entry years it just depends on how many seats open up and the school likely doesn’t know that yet but typically only a few and high scores. yes you can add to the waitlist of other programs when the rolling waitlists open.
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Confuzzled
GuestThanks for your help!
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LSmom
GuestRising 3 grader with a classical score 99/99 and 1st on waitlist for Skinner North. Thoughts on whether there will be movement or do other factors go into changes to rankings? Any current parents of 2nd or 3rd graders at SN that have some insight to school/program/classroom environment? Is the environment super competitive and every student for themselves or generally do the kids all get along?
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eastvillagemom
GuestDoes a 99/99 add up to 299/300? I’m new to these scores. My kid got 99/97 and composite 297/300. High on SN wait-list (we aren’t taking it even if offered). I’d assumed a kid needed 99/99 to get in, especially non entry years, but 297 also seems really high?
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HP
Guest99/99 is 300 for 1st-8th Classical (99/98 is 298.5). There is a rubric on the GoCPS website, but I can’t link it because it’s being flagged as spam.
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Momomom
GuestDo you know if they distinguish within 99/99 by exact scores?
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AT
GuestI think they do. My kid has 99/99 with 300/300 points. But he’s #10 on skinner west waitlist. So they must?
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LSmom
GuestI’m not 100% sure, but I think they do. For example, 300/300 is the max score that they can get, but the actual classical math and classical reading score they achieve can be higher than 150.
My guess is that if a lot of kids got 300/300 (99%/99%), then they get an offer/waitlist number based on their actual scores.
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Joy Brown
GuestI saw an application for a 2nd round of SEES Classical, RGC and Academic testing planned for 2025-26. Am I seeing things??
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Irina
GuestHello! We are #2 and #4 for 3 RGCs going to 7th grade next year. Don’t want to get to excited. Anyone know anything about 7th grade waiting list? Thank you!
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Irina
GuestWhere do you see that?
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Lamom
GuestYou’re very likely to get in, lots of movement in 7th because of AC acceptances.
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Bportmom
GuestThere will be many, many openings for 7th grade. Last year at NTA all but 4 kids left for academic centers.
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Tim
GuestMy son is applying for K, got #5 for Skinner West and #8 for skinner North and #7 for Decatur. Is there any chance he would get in? Really confused by this. Thank you!
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Chitown
GuestHey tim, what tier are you?
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JC
GuestHi Tim – would you mind sharing SN and the classical score? I’m hoping to add my son to the rolling waitlist and will give me an indication on where son MAY end up on the waitlist.
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Tim
GuestMy son got 99% on reading and 95% on Math. Hopefully it helps you.
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JC
GuestThank you very much for responding. Could you also kindly share the classical composite score out of 300? It will give us a better indication since that determines that waitlist ranking.
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Tim
GuestWe are in Tier4. I checked his score should be good enough to get in all schools if we were in Tier3…lol
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Tim
GuestWe are in Tier4. I don’t know how many kids could get out of the waitlists every year on average… but this year seems harder.
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AT
GuestFor Skinner West, my some was going into kinder. He went from #8 to #6.
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Mia
GuestHi Tim,
My kid is tier4 #1 for SW and #2 for Decatur. We are going to remove SW since Decatur is our top choice. Good luck to both of us!-
Tim
GuestI think I see his ranking got moved 1 place upfront for SW. good luck for all of us!
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evagreen
GuestI believe SN tier 4 WL moved up 10 spots last year for K entry. So I believe you will get a good chance to SN this year.
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Chitown
GuestHey Eva- can I ask how you know that? Thank you!
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Tim
GuestHopefully this year works the same way, but I heard they changed something…
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JC
GuestHello families – congratulations to those who were offered spots at schools of their choice.
Question – I am trying to understand from folks if tiers play a role in rolling waitlist offers for SEES school, kindergarten admission?
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KW
GuestYes, tiers still play a role in waitlist offers. So if someone from Tier 3 declines their offer, then that spot will be offered to the next person in the Tier 3 waitlist, even if the Tier 4 Waitlist #1 student has a better score.
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CoffeeCalmsMom
GuestWe’re Tier 4 for Kindergarten and were offered a spot at Decatur. We won’t be accepting it, so a spot will be opening up!
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RossEntrance
GuestWhy not, ooc?
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CoffeeCalmsMom
GuestIt’s a great school, but we’ve decided it’s not the right fit for our family. Much earlier start time and it would double our current school commute. We also have a younger child who will test in a few years, so we’re inclined to stay at our current private for the sake of logistics and long-term balance.
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HeadacheDad
GuestCurious if you decline the offer, will people on the tier 4 waitlist move up one spot? Does that update once rolling waitlist starts?
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SEES Goals
GuestDoes it feel like more kids took the test this year? My son keeps doing better every year on both the Classical and RGC tests. However, every year we’re placed further back from the finish line. This year he’s applying to enter 4th grade.
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Bportmom
GuestI don’t think so. It gets harder and harder to get in as the kids age because there are fewer and fewer openings because kids are already occupying those spots and are less likely to leave. A composite score of 145 will get you in anywhere for K, but might not be good enough for 4th. It’s tough.
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Sees goals
GuestWhile it does get harder as the kids age, they also wouldn’t get offers until May 19th at the earliest. So it’s not like current students in sees programs are in front of him minus those who took the test to see where they scored. In any case, don’t they open up 3 more slots in 4th grade in addition to those who leave? I read that someone on these boards was waitlisted 17th for a good rgc for 2nd grade and got an offer in July.
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Sees goals
GuestOk. I think I figured it out why these waitlist numbers seem off. Previously parents were only allowed to pick three schools initially. This year we could rank upto 5 schools. Obviously more people in each pool which could also mean more movement if families aren’t as committed due to logistics or for some other reason.
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Applying Parent
Guest???
You’ve always been able to apply for up to 6 Classical/RCG programs and 6 ACs. 5 is the max for PreK programs. 3 is the max for the RGC-ELs (the Spanish gifted programs)
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Sees goals
GuestI’m talking about in the 1st round.
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Applying Parent
GuestThe maximum number of programs one can apply to in each category, which is in effect in both the initial round and during the rolling waitlist:
– 20 Choice
– 6 Academic Centers
– 6 Classical/Regional Gifted Center programs
– 3 Regional Gifted Centers for English LearnersWhere are you getting your numbers?
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Cpsmom2034
GuestQuestion we had our son take the test as prep for the academic center test. How close in comparison is it? Is it more close to classical or RGC?
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Momomom
GuestThat is really not a great use of everyone’s time and resources, is it?
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Applying Parent
GuestThe Academic Center admissions exam literally is the RGC test. As in, if you apply to both RGCs and Academic Centers for 7th grade, you will only take one test.
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Bportmom
GuestThe RGC test *is* the AC test, AFAIK.
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Cpsmom2034
GuestGot it. I was curious on how it compares.
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Momomom
GuestOur daughter (K->1) got offer Pritzker, even though we ranked Skinner West higher and her classical scores (154 99%, 157 99%, 300/300) are higher RGC scores (147, 267.5/300). Is there any way to check what waitlist number she would be at SW without declining Pritzker first? She’s currently in SW neighborhood so it would be easier if she can get into SW classical.
By the way, she tested for K as a pandemic baby who didn’t talk to adult strangers, and the scores are night and day (29-40 point improvements in each of the categories). I have long thought that using a 1-on-1 interview for K is bonkers. Since they read them the questions during the group 1st grade testanyway, why can’t they use a paper test for incoming K as well, or at least give that as an option?
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Amy
GuestAmazing job to your daughter!
If you don’t mind me asking, what test prep did you do for her – for both the classical and RGC exams? Thx!
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Momomom
GuestNo test prep. We do of course do a lot of educational activities with her, e.g. math and reading books, games, and puzzles (sight word bingo was a fun one), but no test prep classes. Her aptitude hasn’t changed within that year, and her knowledge has grown in a way that is consistent with getting a year older, but her scores are completely different. This is a failure in the way the test was administered.
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Applying Parent
GuestArguably the only solution to children having different scores in different years is to eliminate selective enrollment schools entirely. When you test on the scale that CPS does, there will always be variability in results for some participants.
This isn’t even abnormal. The same child can get a D on one math test and a perfect score on the next. (This happened to my primary-aged child this year. We studied the same amount for both tests.)
Testing is imperfect and there is absolutely no way to make it perfect.
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Momomom
GuestI agree there is no way to make it perfect. But a standardized achievement/aptitude test should not have a variance of 40 points between administrations that were not reported as invalid. This is very different from a school test which is not standardized. Obviously without statistics of the outcomes we have no idea whether she was just an extreme outlier or the test was poorly designed/administered. One also cannot rule out tester bias in the 1-on-1. A paper test is cheaper than a 1-on-1 interview, is less prone to bias, and allows greater access, so I’m not sure why that isn’t offered at least as an option for K.
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kameda
GuestThank you for the anecdote. I have always had the same thoughts about the 1 on 1 interview for K but I wouldn’t have known otherwise (my very reserved child tested for K this year).
Do you mind sharing if you thought your child’s scores from last year were not reflective of her abilities, and is that what prompted you to retest this year (especially w/o extra prep)?
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evagreen
GuestSame question here. I have a RGC offer so I can’t see the potential WL ranking of my kid on other schools such as SN, SW or Bell, Edison. The only way for me is that I know two other kids WL ranking and they happen to have similar scores with my kid (but still not accurate).
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AT
GuestIf this helps – my son is in K going to 1st. He had 99th and 99th percentile for reason and math and I think they were like yours – 154 and 157 (can’t remember that par specifically.) he is currently #10 on the skinner west wait list.
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Confused mom
GuestHello – first time navigating the CPS system for my kids (entering 2nd and K).
My 2nd grader was offered a spot at NTA but my younger kid is currently waitlisted for SN, SW, Decater and NTA with waitlist numbers ranging 9-12, tier 4). Does he have a chance getting into any school? We would ideally send both kids to the same school (NTA) if at all possible.
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Bportmom
GuestI’d say you have the best odds at NTA. The list moves.
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Confused mom
GuestThank you. Both kids seemed to have done much better on their classical exam than RGC, so was somewhat surprised that it was the RGC school that my older one got an offer to and my younger one seemingly has the best shot at getting in… it looks like that is also a function of how popular / competitive the schools are
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JC
GuestHello Confused mom – could you kindly share the SN waitlist number, reading & math percentile and composite classical score for your child applying entering KG? my child did not get a waitlist number hence trying to gauge my child’s chances should I enroll him in waitlist. Your input would be very helpful to our family. Thank you
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Chitown
GuestWould you mind sharing your specific waitlist numbers for each school? Thank you.
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Chitown
GuestWould you mind sharing your specific waitlist numbers for each school? Thank you.
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Addie78
GuestI am navigating CPS admission for the first time. My daughter is #33 waitlisted for McPherson. Are there any chances at all? We are applying for K.
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Bportmom
GuestTbh, I doubt it. In the 30s is hard.
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Addie78
GuestThat’s what I thought. Do you know if we accept offer from a non-selective enrollment school then are we removed from all SE schools waitlists too?
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Bportmom
GuestI’m not 100% sure but if you accept a choice offer, I believe you will need to re-add yourself to the SE waitlists but you can still be on them even if you’ve accepted a choice offer. And if you’re kicked off the waitlist and re-add yourself, it’s not a crisis because the waitlist order is a function of test score.
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Applying Parent
GuestAccepting a choice offer doesn’t impact your current waitlists at all. Accepting a SE offer doesn’t either, actually, though it will prevent you from joining SE waitlists. It’s *receiving* a SE offer that will kick you off other SE waitlists.
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Primom
GuestWhat are the chances of waiting number 4 with tier 3 to get a spot in Decatur??
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Chimom323
GuestI’d say pretty good. Good luck
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Ma-Gang
GuestJust a heads up that when we respond with where our littles were admitted you typically list: tier, classical reading percentile, classical math percentile, rgc composite; and what school you were offered or list all the waitlisted school along with the waitlist number
I.e.
Tier 4, reading 99, math 99, rgc 150 waitlisted SN #25This is really helpful for the greater community as we all navigate this journey together.
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guest
GuestGood morning everyone,
Thank you so much for all the information, it’s been very helpful, especially since this is the first time navigating through this process. Can anyone give information or experiences with having a child in National Teachers Academy? -
Applying Parent
GuestGiven that they post entry year cut scores now, this seems most helpful for non-entry grades, where tier is irrelevant.
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evagreen
GuestI have a question about the WL ranking. One of my close friend’s kid has exactly same classical scores with my kid. (And we know another kid also has the same score). But the first kids rank almost #30 on SN and another kids is #15. We are all tier 4. The same thing happened on the two kids last year. Same score but ranking is very different. I’m curious how they decide the WL ranking when kids are at the same score? The only possibility I can tell here is girls ranking higher than the boy?
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Applying Parent
GuestThey include tiebreakers on the rubric. For K Classical, it’s:
1. Math standard score
2. Reading standard score
3. LotteryFor 1st-8th Classical it’s:
1. Math + Reading standard score
2. Math standard score
3. Reading standard score
4. Lottery-
AT
GuestDoes sibling preference matter at all?
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Applying Parent
GuestNo, there’s only sibling preference for choice programs, not for selective.
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LSmom
GuestWhile the percentile and total points may be the same, my guess is that the child’s individual reading and math score differs slightly.
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