From August 15-29, Evaristo Jimenez, the Director of High School Admissions, answered questions from parents regarding our admissions process.
Michael P. from Queens asks:
My son is currently in the eighth grade. He is great in math,
science, and computer technology. Is there one test for all the specialized
high schools? What are the dates for the test and how does he apply? Can he
take the test more than once?
Hi Michael -- There is one
Specialized High School Admissions Test that all eighth graders take on either
October 25 or 26. Your guidance counselor will let you know the date of your test
by October 17 and is also the person to talk to in order to register for the
exam.
We have a handbook available
to learn more about the test and how to prepare for it, including two sample
tests; but the best way for students to prepare is to keep up with their
schoolwork, in addition to reading books and magazines. Our sample tests will
help your son understand the types of questions that will appear on the verbal
and math sections of the test.
A parent asks: My
son missed going to his high of choice by one point. Can the one point
be waived so that he can attend the high school of his choosing?
I’m
sorry to disappoint you, but in accordance with the Hecht-Calandra Law
we cannot waive our scoring requirements, even for one point.
Will from the Bronx asks: My daughter was accepted into Bronx Guild for the ninth grade. I do not feel
comfortable with her travel because it will take her over an hour to get to
school because we live in a two fare zone. Is it too late for me to change her
school?
Hi Will -- We grant school transfers for
three reasons—medical, safety, or travel. In order for your daughter to be
eligible for a transfer, it would have to take more than 90 minutes each way
for her to get to and from school. You can use HopStop
in order to calculate travel time (it’s the same tool we use here!).
Nayyer P. from Brooklyn asks: My son is a grade 11 student at Lincoln High. My daughter completed ninth
grade in Dubai, United
Arab Emirates and moved to New York last week. She is U.S. citizen. I
would like to admit her in same school with brother. What is admissions
procedure, when, where and who do I contact?
Hi Nayyer -- We do our best to keep siblings
together in the same school, but it’s not always possible. Lots of our students
have very specialized enrollment questions, which is why we operate Student
Registration Centers around the city. The best way to get your daughter
enrolled in school is to visit one of these centers.
This would be the case for any new student
moving into New York City.
Jessica from Queens
asks: Other than
the High School Open Houses, are there any opportunities to visit a school that
a student is considering attending? If so, how can these arrangements be made?
Hi Jessica
-- I suggest you attend the Citywide High School Fair from 10am until 3pm on
September 20 and 21 at Brooklyn
Technical High School. Many of our high schools send representatives to the
fair; they can help you schedule a visit to their school outside of the open
houses.
Tanisha from Queens asks: My daughter moved this summer to California. She was supposed to attend
Hillcrest. What do I do to let the school know she won't be attending?
Hi Tanisha -- You should give Hillcrest a
call at 718-658-5407 to tell them that your daughter won’t be attending. If
there’s anything else you need to do, they’ll let you know.
A concerned parent asked: I'm making an inquiry concerning my step son. He
attended Newtown
H.S. for a short period of time in late 2006 and dropped out in early 2007.
After much coaxing from my wife and me, he has decided to make another attempt
of completing the last two years of high school to obtain his diploma. Is it
possible for him to reenter the school system and complete his education? I was
reading on the Department of Education's Web site about transfer schools i.e.,
Voyages Preparatory (which opens in Sept). I would appreciate your advice on
how a high school dropout can reenter the school system. Thank you, C.Burfoot
I’m happy to hear that your son is
considering coming back to school. Our Student
Registration Centers in each borough are the best places to go to work out
the details of how he can enroll in the program that’s right for him. He’ll
need transcripts from his last school; get in touch the guidance counselor
there to obtain them.
A parent asks: Which high schools have a swim team that my student
can join because he is such a strong swimmer?
Because we have such a wide variety of
schools and programs, you should search our High
School Directory to find out which of our schools offer swimming teams.
From there, feel free to give the school a call to get in touch with the coach.
A parent asks: Please advise the location where the high school
fairs will be Sept 20-21 and October 18-19
The Citywide High School Fair will be held
from 10am until 3pm on Saturday and Sunday, September 19 and 20, at Brooklyn
Technical High School. Borough High School Fairs will be held on
Saturday and Sunday, October 18 and 19. For locations of Borough Fairs,
please ask your school’s guidance counselor.
Karen B. asks: My daughter who currently lives in Florida was thrown out
of high school back in November 2007. She left with 16 1/2 credits. She was
thrown out due to attendance, but she is now going to live with her grandmother
in Staten Island. My question is can she
re-enroll in high school or is she ineligible to return and will have to go for
her GED? I would really like to see her get back in high school and get her
diploma.
Hi Karen -- We know that our students come
from all sorts of circumstances; our job is to make sure that anyone who wants
an education can get one. There is a way for your daughter to come back to
school and get her diploma. The first step to accomplishing that is to talk to
one of our enrollment specialists at the Student
Enrollment Center in your borough.
Michelle from the Bronx
asks: How can it be that a
child submitted their application and still got assigned to a school that she
did not identify as a choice? We listed 12 schools, we went to open houses, the
city wide fair and even completed more detailed admission requirements for some
of the schools. In the end, we were assigned a small school we never identified
as a choice. How can this happen given that we did all we could do as parents
to ensure this very outcome would not present itself?
Hi Michelle – The matching process takes a
variety of factors into account, including the student’s academic credentials,
each school’s selection criteria, how students rank schools, and the
credentials of the other students in each school’s applicant pool. It is
possible that you applied to highly competitive programs that use defined
selection criteria when reviewing and ranking candidates. The selection
criteria for these audition and screened programs are listed in the High School
Directory. We do our best to match students with the schools they’d like to
attend.
Lashanique K. from Manhattan asks:
My
child is entering the 10th grade this school year. Her current high
school is not offering what she is really interested in doing. How do I
go about trying to enroll her in Lower Manhattan Arts Academy? Please
Help!
Hi Lashanique – we know that high school
students can change their minds and develop new interests, so we offer
all ninth grade high school students the option to apply to another
high school through the High School Admissions process. Even though it
seems like your daughter may have missed this deadline, she should meet
with a guidance counselor to explore the options available at her
current high school. In cases where family circumstances have
changed, we recommend that students meet with their guidance counselors
to discuss the possibility of a transfer for documented medical,
travel, or safety reasons.
Maria D. from Brooklyn asks:
My
child scored an 85 in all subject areas except science which was 80.
Will my child be able to apply to Leon M. Goldstein high school, or any
high school, if the schools list selection criteria of at least an 85
in all main subject areas? Any information will be greatly appreciated. Good
question, Maria. Your child can apply for admission to Leon M.
Goldstein High School as a choice on his or her application. The school
will see the academic and attendance records of every student who
applies. Keep in mind that Goldstein is a screened school, so it will
rank candidates according to the criteria listed in the high school
directory.
Kate S. from Manhattan asks: If
my son is coming from a private school, and so won't have taken the
normal, standardized tests, what are some recommendations you have for
us? He will take the Specialized HS Exam, though. Thank you very much. Hi
Kate – Since your son didn’t take the standardized tests administered
in public schools, we will take into account the standardized tests he
did take. We’ll use the percentile scores to populate his application
and to ensure that he isn’t disadvantaged during the admissions
process. Admission into specialized high schools is based on the
Specialized HS Admissions Test rather than other standardized tests.
Nivia B. from Brooklyn asks: My
daughter attends Catholic School and wants to attend public high School
in Fall '09. I am reluctant, but she is persistent. Two questions: When
is your next Citywide HS fair and what type of setting would you
recommend for a child entering public school for the very first time? Hi
Nivia – The Citywide High School Fair is on September 20 and 21 at
Brooklyn Technical High School. As for what type of setting is best for
your daughter, that’s a decision for you to make as a family. The fair
is the best opportunity for you to start your search and explore the
wide variety of options we offer. At the fair, you’ll be able to speak
to representatives from schools, attend workshops, and pick up a
variety of publications to learn more about high schools and the
admissions process. After the Citywide Fair, we have fairs in each
borough in October and parent workshops during October and November.
Daniel A. from Staten Island asks: Who
can I talk to about a special ed student in a wheelchair for placement
in High School? I have spoken to everyone at school and my wife and I
have visited/called all Staten Island sites and none seem appropriate
for my daughter. Staff/people have generally been helpful - but no one
can point to a placement - looking for 09/10 high school season. Initially
we would recommend that you get in touch with your daughter’s guidance
counselor to discuss the options available to your family. Our High
School Directory lists the accessibility status of all of our high
schools, as well as the special education services available at each
school.