High School Information
GoCPS Updates
Dear Eighth Grade Families,
Your child’s eighth grade year is officially underway, and we are writing today with an update about the upcoming GoCPS application period, which is the process that allows families to apply to every CPS high school on one platform. The GoCPS application for the 2021–22 school year opens at 9 a.m. on October 12, 2020, and closes on December 11, 2020 at 11:59 pm. During this period, families can submit an application, select and rank programs and schools, and schedule any required admissions screenings, if applicable (i.e., admissions exams, auditions, information sessions, and interviews).
By now, you should have received a letter that was mailed to your home address on September 25 with an activation code you can use to create your child’s GoCPS account if they do not already have one. Parents, guardians, or students can create a new GoCPS account starting October 12 to apply for high school and view your child’s NWEA MAP scores and grades.
You may see possible changes to your child’s NWEA MAP percentiles.
The district uses NWEA MAP percentiles to determine students’ eligibility to apply to more than 100 high school programs. When students take the NWEA MAP, their RIT score is converted into a percentile based on norms so we can easily see how a student’s score compares to other students in the same grade and subject. In July 2020, NWEA announced new norms. To ensure that our students’ percentiles reflect this new information, CPS updated percentile data for NWEA MAP exams administered in spring, fall, and winter 2019. In general, NWEA noted that student test scores have declined slightly over the last few years. While your child’s RIT score remains the same, it is possible that one or both of your child’s percentiles may be higher due to lower national scores.
The percentiles included in your child’s eligibility data letter and on their GoCPS account starting October 12 will reflect the new NWEA MAP data. If you have any questions about your child’s scores, please contact the Office of Access and Enrollment at 773-553-2060 on weekdays between 8 a.m.–5 p.m., or email gocps@cps.edu.
CPS will use spring 2019 test scores to determine tiers.
During the selection process for selective enrollment and magnet schools, CPS considers each applicant’s “tier.” Find specific details on how CPS uses tiers during the selection process here.
Tiers are determined by five socioeconomic characteristics of a child’s address and test scores from their neighborhood schools. In these calculations, CPS typically uses NWEA MAP scores from the previous spring semester. However, because the NWEA MAP was not administered to CPS students in spring 2020, CPS will use spring 2019 NWEA MAP scores instead to update the 2021–22 tiers before the GoCPS application opens on October 12.
Families are encouraged to attend virtual high school open houses.
You and your child can learn more about the high schools you are interested in by participating in virtual open houses. Check out the GoCPS calendar to view these events by date, or to search by school or zip code.
We are here to support you through this process—please let us know if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
GoCPS Team
773-553-2060
gocps@cps.edu
Your child’s eighth grade year is officially underway, and we are writing today with an update about the upcoming GoCPS application period, which is the process that allows families to apply to every CPS high school on one platform. The GoCPS application for the 2021–22 school year opens at 9 a.m. on October 12, 2020, and closes on December 11, 2020 at 11:59 pm. During this period, families can submit an application, select and rank programs and schools, and schedule any required admissions screenings, if applicable (i.e., admissions exams, auditions, information sessions, and interviews).
By now, you should have received a letter that was mailed to your home address on September 25 with an activation code you can use to create your child’s GoCPS account if they do not already have one. Parents, guardians, or students can create a new GoCPS account starting October 12 to apply for high school and view your child’s NWEA MAP scores and grades.
You may see possible changes to your child’s NWEA MAP percentiles.
The district uses NWEA MAP percentiles to determine students’ eligibility to apply to more than 100 high school programs. When students take the NWEA MAP, their RIT score is converted into a percentile based on norms so we can easily see how a student’s score compares to other students in the same grade and subject. In July 2020, NWEA announced new norms. To ensure that our students’ percentiles reflect this new information, CPS updated percentile data for NWEA MAP exams administered in spring, fall, and winter 2019. In general, NWEA noted that student test scores have declined slightly over the last few years. While your child’s RIT score remains the same, it is possible that one or both of your child’s percentiles may be higher due to lower national scores.
The percentiles included in your child’s eligibility data letter and on their GoCPS account starting October 12 will reflect the new NWEA MAP data. If you have any questions about your child’s scores, please contact the Office of Access and Enrollment at 773-553-2060 on weekdays between 8 a.m.–5 p.m., or email gocps@cps.edu.
CPS will use spring 2019 test scores to determine tiers.
During the selection process for selective enrollment and magnet schools, CPS considers each applicant’s “tier.” Find specific details on how CPS uses tiers during the selection process here.
Tiers are determined by five socioeconomic characteristics of a child’s address and test scores from their neighborhood schools. In these calculations, CPS typically uses NWEA MAP scores from the previous spring semester. However, because the NWEA MAP was not administered to CPS students in spring 2020, CPS will use spring 2019 NWEA MAP scores instead to update the 2021–22 tiers before the GoCPS application opens on October 12.
Families are encouraged to attend virtual high school open houses.
You and your child can learn more about the high schools you are interested in by participating in virtual open houses. Check out the GoCPS calendar to view these events by date, or to search by school or zip code.
We are here to support you through this process—please let us know if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
GoCPS Team
773-553-2060
gocps@cps.edu
Admissions Screenings and Eligibility for Programs
Click here for information on Admissions Screenings for 2021-22.
ChiArts Audition Requirements
Click here to see eligibility requirements and selection processes for all CPS high schools.
ChiArts Audition Requirements
Click here to see eligibility requirements and selection processes for all CPS high schools.
Virtual Open Houses
Taft Freshman Academy Virtual Open House
Saturday, October 17th
Link will be posted on October 17th
Whitney Young
Sunday, October 18th time TBD
Link
Lane Tech
Saturday, October 24th 9am
Link
Lake View High School
Saturday, November 7th 9am-11am
Link will be posted once made available
Walter Payton
Saturday, November 7th 11am-1pm
An informational video/presentation will be posted to the school's website, and optional 30-minute Q&A sessions will be scheduled for the following times: 11am-11:30am, 11:45am-12:15pm, and 12:30pm to 1pm. Please visit the school website as the dates approach for more information, and to register for the Q&A sessions.
Lincoln Park High School
Saturday, November 7th 12pm-2:30pm
Link
Von Steuben High School
Saturday, November 7th
Link to Open House Information
Disney II High School
Sunday, November 8th
Link to website
Amundsen High School
Saturday, November 14th 10am-1pm
Link will be posted once made available
ChiArts
Saturday, October 17th
Link will be posted on October 17th
Whitney Young
Sunday, October 18th time TBD
Link
Lane Tech
Saturday, October 24th 9am
Link
Lake View High School
Saturday, November 7th 9am-11am
Link will be posted once made available
Walter Payton
Saturday, November 7th 11am-1pm
An informational video/presentation will be posted to the school's website, and optional 30-minute Q&A sessions will be scheduled for the following times: 11am-11:30am, 11:45am-12:15pm, and 12:30pm to 1pm. Please visit the school website as the dates approach for more information, and to register for the Q&A sessions.
Lincoln Park High School
Saturday, November 7th 12pm-2:30pm
Link
Von Steuben High School
Saturday, November 7th
Link to Open House Information
Disney II High School
Sunday, November 8th
Link to website
Amundsen High School
Saturday, November 14th 10am-1pm
Link will be posted once made available
ChiArts
- Nov. 5th, 6:00pm-7:15pm
- Nov. 18th, 6:00pm-7:15pm
- Dec. 5th, 11:00am-12:15pm
Cutoff Scores and Scoring Rubrics
|
| ||||
|
| ||||
| IB Scoring Rubric |
Cutoff scores from 8th grade class of 2020.
Use scoring rubrics to total student points.
Use scoring rubrics to total student points.
Private School Information
DePaul College Prep
New Campus Tours
Offering campus tours to 8th grade prospective families
Saturdays 9am, 11am, 1pm
September-November 2020
Sign Up For A Tour Here
Virtual Admissions Info Sessions
Sign Up for Admissions Info Session Here
Updates on the Admissions process and Recruitment season at DePaul Prep for Fall 2020:
St. Ignatius
VIRTUAL VISIT EXPERIENCE
Eighth grade students interested in Saint Ignatius are encouraged to participate in a Virtual Visit Experience, including:
ADMISSIONS COFFEES
Parents of prospective students of all ages are invited to participate in a virtual Saint Ignatius Admissions Coffee this fall. An Admissions Coffee offers:
VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSENovember 15, 12:00-3:30 pm
Prospective students and families of all ages are invited to attend a virtual Open House with Saint Ignatius College Prep this fall. Open House will include presentations from administrators and faculty members, virtual spaces for questions and conversations with coaches and club moderators, dialogue with student panels, and an opportunity to view highlights of our historical campus.
Families are invited to select one of three entry times on Sunday, November 15:
Loyola Academy
Sign up to take a tour. You must fill out inquiry form before signing up to take a tour. See link below.
Virtual Information Sessions
They will be offering virtual information sessions on Wednesday evenings. Join for one or all and learn more from students, faculty and staff.
Loyola Academy Application Procedures
1. Fill out the inquiry form.
2. Entrance Exam Information (Saturday, December 5th, 2020 8am)
3. Fill out application (available only to students who take entrance exam).
4. Submit school records and standardized testing scores.
5. Complete financial aid application.
New Campus Tours
Offering campus tours to 8th grade prospective families
Saturdays 9am, 11am, 1pm
September-November 2020
Sign Up For A Tour Here
Virtual Admissions Info Sessions
Sign Up for Admissions Info Session Here
Updates on the Admissions process and Recruitment season at DePaul Prep for Fall 2020:
- Following health and safety guidelines, Shadow Days will not be offered this school year.
- Following health and safety guidelines, Open Houses will not be offered this school year.
- The Entrance Exam* at DePaul College Prep is scheduled for Saturday morning, December 5th. Registration for our Entrance Exam is on Friday, 11/20 at 8am two weeks prior to our Dec 5th test date. The make-up test date will be announced the morning of December 5th.
- *The proctoring protocol and guidelines for the Entrance Exam are to be determined.
- 8th grade students who sit for the Entrance Exam at DePaul Prep will be given first preference for admittance into the DePaul Prep Class of 2025. Due to increased interest in DePaul Prep, we had our first admittance waitlist for the 2020-21 freshman class. We highly encourage taking the Entrance Exam at DePaul Prep if DePaul Prep is your first choice school, as we anticipate an admittance waitlist once again for the 2021-22 school year.
- Changes to the Admissions Application & supporting materials: Due to the special circumstances and the shift to e-learning mid-year in 2019-20, the Admissions Application will now require the last three years of final grades/report cards (6th/7th/8th grades), and 6th grade (or most recent) standardized test scores, in addition to the discipline report, student's birth certificate, and the online application.
St. Ignatius
VIRTUAL VISIT EXPERIENCE
Eighth grade students interested in Saint Ignatius are encouraged to participate in a Virtual Visit Experience, including:
- An introduction to life at Saint Ignatius College Prep and an overview of our admissions process, facilitated by the Saint Ignatius College Prep Admissions Office
- An opportunity to view a broad sample of freshman course offerings
- Discussion with a panel of current students about life as an Ignatian
- Tuesdays, 1:00-2:30 pm
- Wednesdays, 9:00-10:30 am
ADMISSIONS COFFEES
Parents of prospective students of all ages are invited to participate in a virtual Saint Ignatius Admissions Coffee this fall. An Admissions Coffee offers:
- An introduction to the Saint Ignatius family experience
- An overview of our admissions process
- Remarks from administrators and Formation & Ministry, Student Activities, Athletics, School Counseling, and College Counseling staff members
- Reflections on life as an Ignatian from a panel of current students
- An opportunity for questions/answers with Saint Ignatius community members
- Monday, October 5, from 7:00-8:00 pm
- Tuesday, October 13, from 9:00-10:00 am
- Thursday, October 22, from 9:00-10:00 am
- Friday, November 6, from 9:00-10:00 am
- Thursday, November 19, from 7:00-8:00 pm
VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSENovember 15, 12:00-3:30 pm
Prospective students and families of all ages are invited to attend a virtual Open House with Saint Ignatius College Prep this fall. Open House will include presentations from administrators and faculty members, virtual spaces for questions and conversations with coaches and club moderators, dialogue with student panels, and an opportunity to view highlights of our historical campus.
Families are invited to select one of three entry times on Sunday, November 15:
Loyola Academy
Sign up to take a tour. You must fill out inquiry form before signing up to take a tour. See link below.
Virtual Information Sessions
They will be offering virtual information sessions on Wednesday evenings. Join for one or all and learn more from students, faculty and staff.
- September 30, 6:30 p.m. — Fine and Performing Arts
- October 7, 6:00 p.m. — Language, Theology, HSPT Accommodations
- October 7, 7:00 p.m. — English, Social Studies, Dumbach Honors Program
- October 21, 6:30 p.m. — Student Life, Ministry, Athletics
- November 4, 6:30 p.m. — Math, Science, STEAM, Clavius Honors Program
- November 18, 6:30 p.m. — Academic Resources
- December 2, 6:30 p.m. — Financial Aid and Admission Process
Loyola Academy Application Procedures
1. Fill out the inquiry form.
2. Entrance Exam Information (Saturday, December 5th, 2020 8am)
3. Fill out application (available only to students who take entrance exam).
4. Submit school records and standardized testing scores.
5. Complete financial aid application.