Columbus Elementary School

High School Parent Meeting

October 9, 2014

Applications can be completed by paper or on online All 8th grade students received an eligibility letter

letting you know what programs they can apply for, this letter also has a PIN number that allows you to complete online applications

Every 8th grade student received an OAE High School Guide

There are several different programs students can apply for, each has their own application requirements

The deadline for submitting all high school applications is: December 12th

High School Application Process

NWEA percentiles are now used to determine eligibility instead of ISAT stanines

Students with 504 plans now have the same eligibility requirements as general education students (in previous years, they had the same as special education students)

Students with 504 plans will still be provided with their testing accommodations

Due to NWEA percentiles being new in the eligibility process this year, students were given the opportunity to re-take one part of both of the NWEA, if a student’s parent signed the permission slip to re-take the NWEA, their FALL of 8th grade scores will override their 7th grade scores

New for This Year…

Offers College Preparatory curriculum Includes rigorous academic content and hands-on

experiences Students learn skills that are transferrable to anything

in life (public speaking, technology…) Earn certifications, to work while in college Opportunity to earn college credits CPS CTE students have higher college enrollment than

other districts with CTE programsRequirements/Applications

Most programs do not have a minimum percentile requirement (except selective programs, such as Jones)

Chosen through lottery CTE Application Can be accepted to more than one program

CTE – College and Career Academies

Provides academically advanced students with a challenging and enriched college preparatory experience

Offers Honors and AP courses Students are expected to be self-driven, highly engaged and

capable of developing critical thinking and analytical skills

Requirements /Application Must score in the 24th percentile on the 7th Grade NWEA for

both reading and math Looks at 7th Grade grades Entrance Exam (4 sections: reading comprehension,

vocabulary, grammar, math word problems {calculators are not allowed})

Based on 900 point system (300 from 7th grade grades, 300 from 7th grade NWEA scores and 300 from exam score)

Selective Enrollment High Schools

Socio-economic factors are considered Students are divided into 4 Tiers based on socio-economic

factors. The first 30% of acceptances are based solely on

scores The remaining 70% is divide equally among the 4 Tiers There is NO sibling preference SEHS Application is combined with the Military

Academy Application

Selective Enrollment cont.

College preparatory program that is focused on the leadership skills that help students go on to college or the career of their choice

Not looking for the highest scoring students, but focuses on the growth that the students will make during their 4 years of high school

Does not force/encourage going into the military Not for reform Very culturally diverse schools Average students commute is 45 minutes

Requirements/Application Military/SEHS combined application All students are required to attend an informational session at a

Military Academy where they will answer a questionnaire that will assess motivation and perseverance and answer essay questions (information sessions may be attended before application is completed)

New this year: Students can apply if they have a combined 7th Grade NWEA percentile of 48

Military Academies

Students are given points based on a 500 point scale: 100 points for 7th grade grades 100 points for 7th grade NWEA scores 100 points for the essay (completed at the

informational session) 200 points for the 2 part assessment (completed at

the informational session)

Military Academies Cont.

Aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect

CPS IB students stay in college longer and perform better than any other CPS students

The most rigorous academic program in the world

Requirements/Application Students will be required to attend one informational session

(can schedule online) 7th Grade NWEA percentile of 24 in reading and math Students with an IEP and bilingual students must have a

combined NWEA percentile of 48 Minimum of 2.5 GPA Students residing in the school’s attendance area will receive

an additional 50 points Each school sets their own cut off scores for admission

International Baccalaureate (I.B.)

Focuses it’s curriculum on one particular subject area 8 Schools

Curie Fine and Performing Arts Chicago High School for the Agricultural Sciences Michelle Clark STEM Program (IT) Harlan Pre-engineering Senn Fine and Performing Arts Von Steuben Scholars and Science (requires a percentile of 60 in

reading and math) Disney II Magnet (Fine Arts and Technology) RTC Medical Preparatory High School (old Crane)

If applying to a fine and performing arts program, be prepared for an audition and/or to show a portfolio

If applying to a medical or science program, be prepared to write an essay and provide recommendations

Magnet Schools

Requirements/Application Magnet High Schools and Programs

Application Must have a percentile of 24 in reading and

math (some require in science also) Tiered socio-economic process also used There are waitlists managed by individual

schools

Magnet Schools cont.

If you are interested in applying to other schools/programs, you will need to call the school directly or visit the school’s website for individual applications.

For example: Lake View, Alcott, Lincoln Park (has both I.B. and separate application)

Each school also has it’s own eligibility and acceptance requirements

Open Enrollment

Schools that are independently operated by community organizations, foundations and universities. They are approved by the Board of Education but operate independently from the Board and each other

Are held accountable by the board for high student achievement

Curriculum, schedules and calendars differ from each other

Contact schools individually for applications Admission is determined through random lottery

Charter Schools

Most require students to take an entrance exam in January

All are tuition-based Contact schools directly for financial assistance

and individual scholarships Daniel Murphy Scholarship – Offers scholarship

assistance and educational support Applications can be found on the website:

www.dmsf.org Due October 24th

Private Schools

December 12th – All high school applications are due All students will be notified of their test dates by

January 31st; if you have not received your date by then and have not scheduled it yourself online, contact the Office of Access and Enrollment immediately

Notification letters for each program you applied to will be mailed to your house by March 20th

You will have only about 2 weeks to respond to the school/program of your choice, please pay close attention to the date on each acceptance letter

Important Dates

When deciding on what school/program is right for you consider: Academic programs offered Location/Transportation Athletics Clubs Supports within the school How do you feel when you’re in the school Size

Visit as many schools as you can, as often as possible Open Houses Athletic Events Plays/Art shows… Explore their websites When you are visiting a school, as questions

Important Information

Apply online if possible, you will receive a confirmation when your application is received.

If you include your email on your paper application, you will receive an email confirmation

If you use paper applications, please remember to have a parent’s signature on each application

Be aware that schools may ask for recommendations Talk to Ms. Pietruszka

If you need help exploring high schools Need help filling out applications If you need help applying online For General High School questions

Important Information

How do you feel comfortable going to and from school every day? Parent drives Car pool CTA Metra

Transportation

Contact Ms. Pietruszka with any questions: mepietruszka@cps.edu

8th grade parents, remember to sign up for an individual session with Ms. Pietruszka

Check the Counselor’s Corner on the Columbus website

Don’t forget to go to Open Houses, Athletic Events, Plays, any opportunity to visit High Schools

Good Luck and Have a Great Year!!!

Thank you for coming!!!