2022 Hidden Gems High School Fair

“Hidden Gems” Public & Private Chicago High School Fair

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2022 FROM 1-4PM
BRITISH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF CHICAGO
161 W. 9TH ST, CHICAGO 60605

Attendee Registration is open! Register HERE

View our growing list of 2022 schools and businesses HERE

Knowing how to cast your net wide and increase your options is KEY to a successful Chicago high school search. Join Chicago School GPS as we bring together over 35 participating public, private and boarding high schools & resources, each with unique qualities that you may not have known about prior to coming to our Hidden Gems Fair. PLUS, you can meet helpful resource vendors and partake in informative breakout sessions that will give you clarity on the high school process. Join us for an afternoon designed to make your high school journey a successful one!

Program begins at 1pm with high schools showcasing what makes them unique, and breakout sessions begin at 1:45pm. Fair ends at 4pm.

Our invaluable breakout sessions offer insights for Middle School Parents and Students on topics such as:

Navigating the private & public high school admissions process
High School Entrance Exam Insights (includes CPS HSAT, HSPT & ISEE)
Private school scholarship opportunities & resources
International Baccalaureate Programs Demystified
Executive Functioning Strategies

Tours of the British International School of Chicago will be available.

Thank You to our 2022 Venue Sponsor:

Thank You to our 2022 Major Sponsors:

2021 VIRTUAL Hidden Gems High School Fair 9/26/21 @ 1-4pm

Registration now open for the 2021 VIRTUAL Hidden Gems High School Fair!

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2021 FROM 1-4PM
LIVE Q&A AT VIRTUAL EVENT + PRE-RECORDED CONTENT PRE & POST EVENT

Click here to view 2021 school and business exhibitors

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

$15 for the whole family, and fee waivers are available upon request.

Knowing how to cast your net wide and increase your options is KEY to a successful Chicago high school search. Join Chicago School GPS as we bring together over 35 participating schools, each with unique qualities that you may not have known about prior to coming to our Hidden Gems Fair. PLUS, you can meet helpful resource vendors and partake in informative breakout sessions that will give you clarity on the high school process. Join us for an afternoon designed to make your high school journey a successful one!

Program begins at 1pm with high schools showcasing what makes them unique, and breakout sessions begin at 2:00pm. Fair ends at 4pm.

Our invaluable breakout sessions offer insights for Middle School Parents and Students on topics such as:

Navigating the private & public high school admissions process
High School Entrance Exam Insights (includes SEHS, HSPT & ISEE)
Private school scholarship opportunities & resources
International Baccalaureate Programs Demystified
Executive Functioning Strategies

Thank You to our generous 2021 Presenting Sponsor:

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.

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.

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)