High School Selective Enrollment Programs Explained
Selective Enrollment High Schools
Provide academically advanced high school students with a challenging and enriched college preparatory experience through a rigorous curriculum of honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Testing is required. GoCPS application is required.
How It Works
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Students are selected via a points system based on HSAT results and final grades from their seventh grade report cards.
- The CPS High School Admissions Test (HSAT) is the only test required.
- There are NO priority preferences (sibling, staff, proximity).
- Assigned address tiers apply. Find your tier by typing in your address or learn more about tiers.
- Each student can apply for up to 6 selective enrollment programs and must rank in order of preference.
Points-Based Selection System
Open seats for selective enrollment programs are filled based on total points. Programs have minimum point requirements to be eligible for selection and the waitlist. (See last year’s Point Total Documents–the minimum point totals are the lowest scores students had that were offered a seat in a program during the initial selections process.) An applicant’s total points is comprised of:
- 50% from student’s final 7th grade grades from the core subjects: Math, Reading, Science and Social Science on official transcript. (All grade discrepancies must be addressed before the application deadline)
- 50% from the CPS HSAT results
Special Eligibility Requirements: IEP and Bilingual Education
Students who qualify for an IEP or those receiving bilingual education services can follow the additional guidance below:
- Applicable test accommodations described in Section 10 (c) of the student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan will be made available. Learn More
- Students with disabilities are required to take entrance tests unless the student is placed by the Office of Special Education and Supports into a low incidence program at the school.
- Students with an IEP are placed into a separate pool. Our goal is to ensure the percentage of students with disabilities is reached to maintain a diverse population at all of our schools.
- Depending on the applicant pool, some students with disabilities may be accepted with lower test scores than general education students. To be considered for selective enrollment programs, all applicants need to earn a score that demonstrates they can compete and succeed in an accelerated program.
