High School Information

There is a lot of information listed below, please read carefully.
Updated (10-19-23): 
HSAT Retest information:  Due to technical issues on October 11, 2023, Sauganash School will retake the HSAT test on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at Sauganash School.  The HS Application deadline remains November 9 at 5:00 pm.  The deadline to
​re-rank a student's school choices as been extended to December 1, 2023 at 5:00 pm.
24-25 High School Application Process Family Deck (click link)
​
24-25 Updated Scoring Rubric for High School Programs
  • Tiers for the 2024-25 application cycle have been updated and finalized prior to the application launch on September 13, 2023.  The tier that families apply with is the tier that will be applied during the selections process. The tiers used for the application process are also available on the CPS School Locator.  
    ​
  • Admissions Criteria Update:  There are a few changes to HS admissions criteria designed to make the process less complicated and confusing for families while still preserving the overall structure of GoCPS admissions criteria.  See below for specifics on these updates.  

  • High School Scoring Rubric: For a number of programs, student grades and HSAT scores are converted into points based on a rubric and students are selected for admission in descending points score order. Previously, OAE used several rubrics that were quite similar. For the upcoming cycle, only one rubric will be used for all points-based programs that use grades and test scores. The rubric adopted is on a 900 point scale with a 50/50 split of grades and HSAT scores that has been used for selective enrollment and IB programs. We will now also use it for selective CTE, Service Leadership Academies, and other programs that select students in descending point score order. This will make it easier for families to understand how points are used and make it easier for administrators with multiple program types to compare applicants across different programs. 

  • Consistent minimums for lottery programs that use test scores: Many HS programs have specific test score minimums that students must meet, and once they do, if there are more qualified applicants than seats, students are selected via lottery. For the upcoming cycle, program minimums are set at a combined percentile in reading and math of 58 for general education students or 48 for students receiving  IEP or EL support across most programs. There are also a few programs that typically have higher thresholds. Those programs are set at 120 for general education students and 110 for students receiving  IEP or/EL supports. For families, this reduces the confusing array of criteria and means that they can more easily understand what types of programs their children may be able to access based on their HSAT scores.  
    ​
  • Elimination of most extra evaluations: A few programs continued to maintain interviews, essays, or letters of recommendation, which added to the complexity of the process and was burdensome for families.  Only the Fine & Performing Arts programs maintain their auditions for the upcoming cycle. Other than those, students do not have to complete additional steps to be considered for any programs.   

  • HSAT Score Reporting Update:  Previously, HSAT scores have only been provided to families in the form of a percentile. These percentiles were then used to convert to points using the different scoring rubrics. Going forward, our office will provide both the percentile score, and the standard score to students and their families. The percentiles will continue to be used for final point conversion, however, the standard scores will be used to determine all tie-breakers, if they arise.

  • High School Tie-Breaker Process Update: For the upcoming 2024-25 GoCPS application cycle, a new tie-breaker process will be implemented, affecting selections for high school selective enrollment programs. Choice high school programs will continue to utilize a random computerized lottery system to determine any ties and waitlist order. Tie-breakers for selective enrollment high school programs, however, will use the following tie-breaker process:
  1. ​Math Standard Score
  2.  Reading Standard Score
  3. Lottery
  • If two students have an identical HSAT score, first the Math Standard Score will be compared between the two applicants. If the two applicants have identical Math Standard Scores, then the application will compare the two applicants’ Reading Standard Scores. If the two applicants have identical Reading Standard Scores, then a random lottery number will be the final determinant in the selection process.  

​UpdatedInformation:  9/14/23
High School Fair - Both CPS and Private HS will be presenting - October 5, 2023

7th and 8th grade students and parents:  Come to the High School Fair hosted by Rickover HS.  Schools representing CPS and Private Schools will be there to answer questions and to help you gather information about HS opportunities for the 2024-2025 school year.

Hosted by:  
Rickover High School (click for directions)
5700 W. Berteau Ave
6:00-7:30 pm
Questions?   
​Reach out to Andrea Donovan (amallegretti@cps.edu)​
 HFS Chicago Scholars 
HFS Chicago Scholars invites prospective students and their families to learn more about HFS, our application process, and the amazing high schools (that's you!) that we partner with through a high school fair. This year, our Open House will be hosted at Instituto Health Sciences Career Academy. Please join us to represent your high school during our Open House. 
Date and Time: Thursday, October 19 | 6:00 - 7:30 PM 
Location: Instituto Health Sciences Career Academy | 2520 S. Western Ave.
Format: Brief welcome and high school introductions; HFS Presentation and Q&A; and high school fair to meet with prospective students and families. 
Click here to register for HFS Chicago Scholars Open House
GoCPS Information
High School Important Dates
  • ✔️​SEPTEMBER 13th, 2023 - Application Period Opens
  • OCTOBER 11th, 2023 - CPS High School Admissions Exam for CPS Students administered at Sauganash
  • OCTOBER 14-15, 21 - CPS High School Admissions Exam for Non-CPS Students
  • NOVEMBER 9th, 2023 - Application Period Closes
  • NOVEMBER 22nd, 2023 - Re-rank Period Closes
  • SPRING 2024 - Results Released
  • SPRING 2024 - Principal Discretion Process Opens
  • SPRING 2024 - Accept/Decline Deadline
  • SPRING 2024 - Principal Discretion Application Closes
  • SPRING 2024 - Rolling Waitlist Process Opens
  • 2 BUSINESS DAYS AFTER OFFER ISSUED - Waitlist Accept/Decline Deadline
  • SPRING 2024 - Principal Discretion Results Released
PSAT 8/9 Pilot Exam  (administered at Sauganash School)
Administered:  TBA
PSAT 8/9 Student Guide
List of CPS and Private School Open Houses (click on link)
Open House Opportunities: