It's that time of year again where CPS parents are thinking about the best school choices for their children! While we all know Skinner North is an amazing school with excellent teachers, students and staff, we want to make sure parents are aware of the options they have available beginning in 7th and 8th grade on through High School.
The Office of Academic Enhancement has a wealth of information on their website, but I would also like to share some general information with our parents about what we are doing to help make school choice easier for you.
ACADEMIC CENTER INFORMATION
My main area of focus at this time is on Academic Centers, as we have students that are able to apply for those schools currently. We will be hosting an Academic Center Fair at Skinner North for students and parnet on Wednesday, October 15th from 5-6:30 pm. Students apply and test for Academic Centers in the fall/winter of their 6th grade year. Grades and test scores from 5th grade will be used to determine eligibility and acceptance into these schools.
Academic Centers offer a program that allows academically advanced students in grades 7-8 the opportunity to move through course material at their own pace. Academic Centers are housed in seven high schools: Harlan, Kenwood, Lane, Lindblom, Morgan Park, Taft, and Whitney Young. Once students enter an Academic Center at the seventh or eighth grade, they may remain enrolled, if they wish, in the high school in which the Academic Center is housed until their graduation from 12th grade.
The curriculum is designed to allow high-achieving and motivated students the opportunity to complete the elementary curriculum and enter high school classes in English, social studies, science, mathematics, world language, and music or art. Students may accumulate up to eight high school credits upon matriculation into ninth grade. Academic Center students may also take advanced placement college-level courses as early as tenth grade.
The selection process for the Academic Centers is based on a point system, with a maximum of 900 points. Criteria for selection is based on an application score that balances entrance exam results with standardized test scores and final classroom grades.
The application score consists of the following areas; each is worth 33 1/3 of the total point score, or a maximum of 300 points each:
Click here to access the point system rubric for Academic Centers and the International Gifted Program.
If you would like to see the Academic Centers at their building sites, the Open House Dates for Academic Centers can be found here.
The online application process is now open. You can apply online at apply.cps.edu. Further information on how to apply can be found here.
HIGH SCHOOL INFORMATION
Students apply for High School in the fall of their 8th grade year. Grades and test scores from 7th grade are used by high schools to determine eligibility and acceptance. There are many options available for parents that wish to begin exploring high school options for their students. The OAE website is an excellent place to start, and this power point presentation will give a wonderful overview of all the different types of high schools CPS has available for students. And you can check out the CPS High School Guide which gives you additional information about every High School in CPS!
Additionally, a list of Open House dates for Selective Enrollment High Schools was sent home with all the 6th and 7th graders a few weeks ago. These dates can be found here. Going to an Open House is a great way to start the process of thinking about which high school might be the best match for your child.
The Office of Academic Enhancement has a wealth of information on their website, but I would also like to share some general information with our parents about what we are doing to help make school choice easier for you.
ACADEMIC CENTER INFORMATION
My main area of focus at this time is on Academic Centers, as we have students that are able to apply for those schools currently. We will be hosting an Academic Center Fair at Skinner North for students and parnet on Wednesday, October 15th from 5-6:30 pm. Students apply and test for Academic Centers in the fall/winter of their 6th grade year. Grades and test scores from 5th grade will be used to determine eligibility and acceptance into these schools.
Academic Centers offer a program that allows academically advanced students in grades 7-8 the opportunity to move through course material at their own pace. Academic Centers are housed in seven high schools: Harlan, Kenwood, Lane, Lindblom, Morgan Park, Taft, and Whitney Young. Once students enter an Academic Center at the seventh or eighth grade, they may remain enrolled, if they wish, in the high school in which the Academic Center is housed until their graduation from 12th grade.
The curriculum is designed to allow high-achieving and motivated students the opportunity to complete the elementary curriculum and enter high school classes in English, social studies, science, mathematics, world language, and music or art. Students may accumulate up to eight high school credits upon matriculation into ninth grade. Academic Center students may also take advanced placement college-level courses as early as tenth grade.
The selection process for the Academic Centers is based on a point system, with a maximum of 900 points. Criteria for selection is based on an application score that balances entrance exam results with standardized test scores and final classroom grades.
The application score consists of the following areas; each is worth 33 1/3 of the total point score, or a maximum of 300 points each:
- The entrance exam
- Previous year's reading comprehension and total math test results (currently they use NWEA/MAP scores)
- Previous year's reading, math, science and social studies grades
Click here to access the point system rubric for Academic Centers and the International Gifted Program.
If you would like to see the Academic Centers at their building sites, the Open House Dates for Academic Centers can be found here.
The online application process is now open. You can apply online at apply.cps.edu. Further information on how to apply can be found here.
HIGH SCHOOL INFORMATION
Students apply for High School in the fall of their 8th grade year. Grades and test scores from 7th grade are used by high schools to determine eligibility and acceptance. There are many options available for parents that wish to begin exploring high school options for their students. The OAE website is an excellent place to start, and this power point presentation will give a wonderful overview of all the different types of high schools CPS has available for students. And you can check out the CPS High School Guide which gives you additional information about every High School in CPS!
Additionally, a list of Open House dates for Selective Enrollment High Schools was sent home with all the 6th and 7th graders a few weeks ago. These dates can be found here. Going to an Open House is a great way to start the process of thinking about which high school might be the best match for your child.