High School Planning

There are great options for everyone.

Think about what will work for your student & family needs. What works for one student may not work for another.

Things to Consider:

Location

School Size

Interests Areas, Curriculum and Courses

Extracurricular Activities

Class competition and the College Process

High School Choices

No Application Application Application Plus

Application Only Application plus other individual program requirements

Neighborhood High School Magnet and charter schools

International Baccalaureate (IB), Selective Enrollment

Schoollocator.cps.k12.il.us www.apply.cps.edu www.apply.cps.edu

Academic Center students may stay at Taft if:a.They are passing all classes and have no discipline referralsb.IB, AVID & ROTC-have completed the appropriate applications and met all requirements.

*Make sure to cover all you options!

application changesNew this year: PINs will be provided to all eighth grade students via the eligibility

letter. The eligibility letter will also identify the programs for which you are eligible to apply, based on your seventh grade standardized test scores and/or final grades. CPS/Charter Students will receive their eligibility through their school counselor in

September. Non-CPS Students must submit a Non-CPS Student Eligibility Letter Request Form (accessible at www.cpsoae.org – click ‘Apply’), along with their

seventh grade scores and final grades. After the form is processed, an eligibility letter will be sent to your home.

You will be able to use the online application site, www.apply.cps.edu, to schedule and reschedule your own appointments.

NOTE: The scheduling process opens September 23rd. Applications are accepted starting October 1st. If you plan to apply online, you must schedule your

appointments BEFORE you submit your applications.

If you do not want to schedule/apply online, submit a paper application and your appointments will be scheduled by the Office of Access and Enrollment (or, in the case of Senn Fine and Performing Arts Program, by the school). You will receive

letters notifying you of the dates, times, and locations of your appointments.

SELECTIVE ENROLLMENT HIGH SCHOOLS

ROBERT LINDBLOM MATH & SCIENCE ACADEMY HS6130 S WOLCOTT AVE Chicago, IL 60636http://www.lmsa.cps.k12.il.us/ Phone Number: 773-535-9300

WILLIAM JONES COLLEGE PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL606 S STATE ST Chicago, IL 60605http://www.jonescollegeprep.org/ Phone Number: 773-534-8600

WALTER PAYTON COLLEGE PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL1034 N WELLS ST Chicago, IL 60610http://www.wpcp.org/dnn/ Phone Number: 773-534-0034GEORGE WESTINGHOUSE HIGH SCHOOL3223 W. Franklin Blvd Chicago, IL 60624http://www.newwestinghouse.org/ Phone Number: 773-534-6400

ALBERT G LANE TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL2501 W ADDISON ST Chicago, IL 60618http://www.lanetech.org/ Phone Number: 773-534-5400GWENDOLYN BROOKS COLLEGE PREPARATORY ACADEMY HS250 E 111TH ST Chicago, IL 60628http://brookscollegeprep.org/ Phone Number: 773-535-9930

NORTHSIDE COLLEGE PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL5501 N KEDZIE AVE Chicago, IL 60625http://www.nscollegeprep.cps.k12.il.us/ Phone Number: 773-534-3954

DR MARTIN LUTHER KING JR COLLEGE PREP HS4445 S DREXEL BLVD Chicago, IL 60653http://kingcollegeprep.org/newking/ Phone Number: 773-535-1180

WHITNEY YOUNG MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL211 S. LAFLIN ST Chicago, IL 60607 http://www.wyoung.org Phone Number: 773-534-7500SOUTH SHORE INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL1955 E. 75TH ST. Chicago, IL 60649

Report a problem

SELECTIVE ENROLLMENT TEST DATES

For the 2014-2015 school year, the Selective Enrollment High Schools admissions exam will be offered on the following dates:

October 26, 2013November 23, 2013December 14, 2013January 11, 2013January 25, 2013

The exams will be administered at four sites: King College Preparatory High School, 4415 S. Drexel Blvd.; Lane Tech High School, 2501 W. Addison St.; Lindblom Math and Science Academy, 6130 S. Wolcott Ave.; and Whitney Young Magnet High School, 211 S. Laflin St.

If your child takes the admissions exam on October 26th or November 23rd, you will receive your test results within three weeks of the test date. This will allow you to calculate your child's total point score prior to the application deadline of December 13, 2013. (For exams taken on all other dates, test results will be included in the notification letter sent to the student's home in February 2014.)

Selective Enrollmentwww.apply.cps.edu

May select up to 6 Selective Enrollment Schools

Rank Schools in order of 1 Most Interested to 6 Least Interested

Only select schools you are interested in attending

APPLY ONLINE: notification receipt of application, easier for CPS to process and instant communication.

SEHS exam-general knowledge exam, CPS does not recommend Test Preparation

IB application now online with SE application-MUST attend IB informational meeting

The Admissions Exam

• The Selective Enrollment High Schools admissions exam is approximately three hours long.

• The exam covers four subject areas: reading comprehension, vocabulary, language arts (grammar), and math word problems.

• Calculators are not allowed (unless this is specified in the accommodations on an IEP).

Test Study Guide

• http://tafths.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=48824&type=u

• A link for an enrollment test study guide is available on the Academic Center student created website!!!

S.E. Application Points

7th grade final

grades

300 Points

7th grade final

grades

300 Points

7th grade ISAT scores

300 Points

7th grade ISAT scores

300 Points

Entrance Exam

300 Points

Entrance Exam

300 Points

900 Total

Points

900 Total

Points

Selection Process• NO sibling preference.• NO consideration for proximity.• First 30% of seats at each school are filled by rank score

ONLY.• Remaining seats are divided equally among the four tiers.• Selective Enrollment High Schools do not have waiting

lists.• Students who decline offers, or who have not received an

offer, remain in the applicant pool.• If schools have seats remaining, it is possible for a student

in the applicant pool to receive an offer in a subsequent round.

Useful websites

www.selectiveenrollment.org

Overview of application process

FAQ

Point System Calculator

For details on how the tiers are populated: www.cpsoae.org

www.schoollocator.cps.k12.il.us

Important DatesMonths (s) Activities

September - December

September 23, 2013 - Enter PIN Number and start Scheduling Selective Enrollment Entrance Exams and IB Information Sessions Attend Open HousesOctober 1, 2013 – The High School Application is open

November-December

Gather all school/program applications Submit applications no later than Dec 13

February 2014

SEHS, Magnet and IB acceptance letters mailed

March 2014 Return Final Decision letters

Why Choose Taft?• Freshmen Year transition is one of the most

difficult transitions. “9th grade transition has been called the “make-or-break transition”. Struggle

happens not only with the academic challenges of high school but social concerns, unfamiliar school situations and change in school relationships.” John Hopkins University

• Students know the building, processes and procedures

• Students have established relationships with teachers and staff

• Top of the class and leaders within the school• Opportunity to create unique college profile• Sports and Activities

What is the IB Diploma Programme?• A rigorous, college preparatory curriculum which focuses on

international perspectives of learning and teaching, while insisting that students fully explore their home culture and language for the 11th and 12th grades.

• IB curriculum emphasizes development of strong critical thinking, analytical, writing and communication skills through a variety of assessments.

• Students at Taft prepare for the program by entering the 9th grade into the two year Honors IB Preparatory Program.

• IB provides established international standards for schools, teachers, and students, resulting in IB schools being recognized as some of the top schools in the nation, according to Newsweek and US News and World Report.

Who is the IB student?A motivated, hard working individual looking for a challenging program that will prepare them for university studies in a global society.

How to apply for IB

7th grade final grades

450 Points

7th grade final grades

450 Points

7th grade ISAT

scores

450 Points

7th grade ISAT

scores

450 Points

Info Session

REQUIRED

Info Session

REQUIRED

900 Total

Points

900 Total

Points

Go to https://apply.cps.edu. Make sure to select IB Diploma Programme and apply to Taft.

Eligible students will receive notification for a required information session at Taft from the OAE.

•There is no preference for applicants of siblings who are already enrolled. •Students are given preference based on their home address, not tiers•50 points will be applied to attendance area students prior to information session notification

•Seats are filled by rank based on an overall applicant score (total 900 points).•Notification letters are sent to parents by the OAE in February 2013. •Confirmation forms to accept an offer are sent by parents to the OAE in March 2013.

AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination)

What Is AVID?

Selective four year college preparatory program

A daily class where students develop writing, reading, inquiry, and collaboration skills while designing their college and career dreams

An elective course selection that counts towards graduation

AVID Mission:

succeed in a rigorous curriculum

complete a college preparatory path

will enter mainstream activities of the school

enroll in a 4 year college/university

AVID Students will:

Become stronger writers & readers Develop public Speaking skills

Utilize structured note-taking Build leadership skills

Attend bi-weekly, in-class tutorials Work on organizational skills

Be held accountable for core classes Visit minimum 2 colleges per year

Attend guest speaker colloquia Enroll in Honors/AP courses

Prepare for Standardized Tests Develop academic & career goals

Research & apply to colleges & universities (minimum of 5)

Apply for college scholarships (minimum of 5)

Application Procedure

• Application available on the Taft website • Interview with AVID team

TAFT NJROTC ACADEMYTAFT NJROTC ACADEMY

Distinguished Unit Twelve Consecutive Years

2001 To 2012

William Howard Taft NJROTC Academy

Next year at Taft you have to make a very important decision.

NJROTC or PE

William Howard Taft NJROTC Academy

If you attend William Howard Taft High School, you will have an If you attend William Howard Taft High School, you will have an opportunity to enroll in one of the top Naval Junior Reserve Officer opportunity to enroll in one of the top Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) Academies in Chicago and the nation. When Training Corps (NJROTC) Academies in Chicago and the nation. When you register to attend Taft, you will have to make a choice. you register to attend Taft, you will have to make a choice. Either enroll in two years of Naval Science or two years of Physical Either enroll in two years of Naval Science or two years of Physical Education (P. E.).Education (P. E.). The NJROTC Program is a challenging college prep course. Students The NJROTC Program is a challenging college prep course. Students that are selected to be cadets will not be enrolled in Physical that are selected to be cadets will not be enrolled in Physical Education, but they will be able to select any Education to Careers Education, but they will be able to select any Education to Careers Cluster. Cluster.

The NJROTC Program does not require cadets to enlist into the military service after graduation.

William Howard Taft NJROTC Academy

Naval JROTC cadets are encouraged to maintain an average grade of Naval JROTC cadets are encouraged to maintain an average grade of “C” or better, and the program is run with discipline and military “C” or better, and the program is run with discipline and military bearing. Cadets are expected to act like mature individuals and will bearing. Cadets are expected to act like mature individuals and will learn to give and receive orders. learn to give and receive orders. For more information see our website For more information see our website http://tinyurl.com/2rpat4, or , or please call (773) 534-1058please call (773) 534-1058

EXCITING ACTIVITIES IN NJROTCEXCITING ACTIVITIES IN NJROTC

Academic Teams, Drill Teams, Orienteering Teams, and Physical Fitness Academic Teams, Drill Teams, Orienteering Teams, and Physical Fitness Teams; Various Competitions; Summer Basic and Advanced Leadership Teams; Various Competitions; Summer Basic and Advanced Leadership Camps; Trips to various military bases.Camps; Trips to various military bases.

Benefits from enrolling in Naval Scienceand being a part

Taft Naval JROTC Academy

William Howard Taft NJROTC Academy

– Leadership and Discipline

– College Prep

– Scholarships: College ROTC Scholarships worth $200,000.00Service Academy Selections worth $400,000.00

– Advanced Enlistment into the Military (optional)

– Travel: Spring Break Trips, Competitions, College Visits

– Citizenship: Community Service and involvement