If your child is in middle school, he or she might make it seem like every little decision is a crucial one. But there is one decision that really is important: choosing the right high school. If your child is currently in the 7th grade then it’s a good time to start preparing. Selecting the right school can be a daunting task for a child, so your guidance and involvement is necessary to easing any anxieties he or she might be feeling.
Not sure where to start? Not to worry – S.I. Parent offers some sound tips and a guide to navigating the potentially exhausting process of choosing the right school.
Your child should start preparing for high school around the beginning of the 7th grade. It’s a good time to work on good study habits, explore extracurricular activities and read more often than is required for homework assignments. The more your child reads, the stronger their verbal, writing and critical thinking skills will be. This is the time to develop foreign language skills too (including American Sign Language, if available), as well as sharpening skills in math and science. Prep courses or private tutoring services are also available to help prepare for admissions tests.
It is a good idea to visit potential school choices with your child to get a sense of what to expect and how it feels to be part of the high school community. By September of 8th grade, your family should be attending citywide High School Fairs to get a better sense of the options available to your child. Attending High School Fairs and Open Houses will give you the ability to see the school first-hand and meet with staff and current students. Applications are due to guidance counselors by December, so it is imperative that your family is well informed and ready to make a choice. This time flies quickly!
Things have changed greatly since the last two generations of high school students were making choices. There weren’t many options beyond a local public school, a private high school, or a specialized high school.
Applying to a Public High School
New York City has over 400 public high schools offering over 700 programs. Some programs cater to specific interests and skills while some are more beneficial to students who are new to the country, and others focus on creating specific learning environments. You and your child should consider preferences, interests, location, and academic needs. Some of today’s choices include:
Career and Technical Schools – These schools integrate academic study with workforce skills in specific career pathways. They offer students the opportunity to graduate high school with industry-specific competencies, skills, training, and even credentials that can lead to college or entry into the workforce. Through these programs, students have the opportunity to earn Advanced Regents diplomas.
NYC P-TECH 9-14 Schools – These schools combine high school, college, and career training over the course of a six-year program. Students will graduate with a high school diploma, an Associate Degree from CUNY, and relevant industry certification. All college courses are free and the credits are transferable for postsecondary education.
iZone Schools – These schools incorporate the latest strategies, tools, and technologies to personalize the needs, motivations, and strengths of individual students. iZone programs can include the implementation of online courses, technology-rich classrooms, and/or computer science coursework in the curriculum.
Specialized High Schools – These are highly-selective public high schools designed to serve the needs of academically and artistically gifted students. With the exception of Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School (where students are required to audition), admission is based on the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT). If your child is considering attending one of the nine specialized schools in NYC, you may want to consider prep courses or private tutoring specifically tailored to the strategies necessary for these tests.
Charter Schools – These are free, independent public schools that are separate from the Department of Education. All students can apply and admittance is determined through a lottery. Preference is given to students who are already enrolled and students living in the charter school district. Some charter schools may have a longer school day, school year, and/or various thematic programs. There are currently over 50 charter schools across New York City, two of which are located on Staten Island: John W. Lavelle Charter School and New Ventures Charter School (which just opened in September). For more information on charter schools, visit nyccharterschools.org.
Transfer Schools, Young Adult Borough Centers, or High School Equivalency Programs – These are small high schools designed to reengage students who have dropped out or fallen behind.
Students with Disabilities – Students with disabilities may apply to all programs and are subject to the same admissions requirements as their peers. They may take the SHSAT and apply for all audition programs, including Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Performing Arts. Testing accommodations will be provided during the SHSAT administration as outlined in the student’s IEP.
Each fall, 8th grade students must submit an application listing up to 12 programs in order of preference. Applicants are then matched to one of their ranked schools according to priority, method, and available seats. Round 1 results are available in March.
You can learn more about the public high school admissions process on the DOE website, schools.nyc.gov. The site is an important resource with useful tips and information, including a video series of previous DOE events, a directory of NYC Public High Schools and an email list to receive important updates.
Students interested in applying to a NYC public high school from a private or parochial school should speak with their guidance counselor in middle school. High School applications and materials will be available from the guidance counselors in the fall of 8th grade.
Applying to a Catholic High School
If you are considering a Catholic high school for your child, there are a variety of coeducational and single-sex schools from which to choose, many of which offer partnerships with local Catholic colleges and universities.
To apply to a Catholic High school, students must first take an admissions exam called TACHS (Test for Admission into Catholic High Schools). They may select three high schools on their application. The TACHS results, along with school records and other information, are then sent to the school’s principals to assist them in making their decision.
Catholic School scholarships opportunities include those based on merit, financial need, and for students identified as “at risk” through the Inner-City Scholarship Fund. All scholarship inquiries and applications must be made through the school a student wishes to attend or is enrolled.
Special Needs Students – The Seton Foundation, a not-for-profit, non-sectarian corporation that is affiliated with, and accredited by, the Department of Education of the Archdiocese of New York, is open to children of all faiths. It does not receive funding from the Archdiocese. On Staten Island, The Seton Foundation operates Bishop Patrick V. Ahern High School for students 15 to 21 years old and is located on the campus of Moore Catholic High School.
Like fairs held for public high schools, students and parents are invited to visit the facilities and learn more about the programs offered. Fairs and Open Houses are generally scheduled prior to the TACHS exam date, but if you are unable to attend a one you should contact the school to set up an appointment.
For additional more information on Catholic high school admissions or the TACHS exam, visit www.tachsinfo.com or www.buildboldfutures.org.
Need more help? If you would like to discuss the admission process, speak to your child’s guidance counselor directly. You can never have too much information—it’s the key to making good decisions!
The information in this article is subject to change and should be used as a general guide.
Important Dates for NYC Public High School Admissions
September 10 – October 15 – Registration period for Fall SHSAT and LaGuardia High School auditions
September 26 & 27 – Citywide High School Fairs
October 17 & 18 – Borough High School Fairs
October 24 & 25 – SHSAT testing for all current 8th grade students
November 7 & 15 – SHSAT for all current 9th grade students and 8th and 9th grade students who are English Language Learners or students with disabilities who have IEP’s or 504 plans.
December 1 – High School Application Deadline for Round 1
Early March – Round 1 results distributed
Dates are subject to change. Check schools.nyc.gov for the latest info.
Important Dates for Catholic High School Admissions
August 24 – October 7 – Registration period for the TACHS exam for paper registration. Form and fee due by end date.
August 24 – October 19 – Registration period for the TACHS exam for Internet and telephone registration. Form and fee due by end date. Note: Internet is the preferred method.
October 3 – TACHS High School Information Fair at the Vanderbuilt (12-2pm)
November 6 – TACHS ADMINISTRATION for Archdiocese of New York (includes Staten Island)
December 11 – Paper TACHS Applicant Records due to students’ three high school choices.
January 13 – Release of admission notices by high schools.
March 2 – High School Registration Day
Dates are subject to change. Check tachsinfo.com for the latest info.