March 2010
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Chicago Public Schools - Office of Academic Enhancement E-Mail Update
March 8, 2010
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| Greetings!
In the Office of Academic Enhancement we are committed to keeping parents and the broader community informed of opportunities, policies, and processes related to magnet, gifted, and selective enrollment options in Chicago. We are delighted that you are interested in keeping up-to-date on new developments and hope that you find our e-mail updates useful to you and your family.
Best regards,
Office of Academic Enhancement | |
Mailing of First-Round Notification Letters for Selective Enrollment HIgh Schools
First-round notification letters for Selective Enrollment High Schools have been mailed to the home of each applicant. If you submitted an application and have not received a letter, contact the Office of Academic Enhancement at (773) 553-2060.
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Opportunity to Apply to Senn High School's Expanded International Baccalaureate Programme
Senn High School (5900 N. Glenwood Ave.) is expanding its International Baccalaureate Programme this fall - and the excitement is palpable.
"It's a great program, and we're thrilled about this opportunity to grow and expand it," said Richard Norman, Senn's principal.
The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) will be offered at Senn beginning next school year. That means about 100 incoming freshmen will have access to the IB Diploma Programme, which routinely places most of its students in four-year colleges upon graduation.
More information about the program and how to apply is available on the OAE website.
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Principal Discretion Process Now Open for Selective Enrollment High Schools!
The Principal Discretion process allows principals of Selective Enrollment High Schools to select students to fill up to five percent of the available spaces in the incoming freshman class, in accordance with Board policy. The process for the 2010-2011 school year is now open; the links below provide the application, guidelines, and related information for the Principal Discretion process.
In order to apply, students must have applied and taken the Selective Enrollment High Schools admissions exam for the 2010-2011 school year. Application packets must be received by the Office of Academic Enhancement no later than March 26, 2010.
If you have any questions, contact the Office of Academic Enhancement at (773) 553-2060.
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Contact Information
phone: 773-553-2060 |
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I have received a number of emails and calls regarding the Principal Appeal Process application. That application, along with information on how to apply, has not been distributed yet by CPS. Please continue to monitor the website www.cpsoae.org
and I will post the information here as soon as it is available. It should be available in the next two weeks, and decisions will be made by the end of the month.
February 2010
At this time, many of you have received letters from Selective Enrollment High Schools. Students that wish to accept an offer from a Selective Enrollment High School must complete the bottom portion of their acceptance letter and submit it to the counselor of the school where they are enrolled. The form must be submitted no later than March 10th. If you have any questions regarding this process, please call the Office of Academic Enhancement at 773-553-2010.
For other High Schools, please follow their instructions very carefully. After a listed date, you will lose your place.
January 11, 2010
Wishing you had more High School Choices? Looking to apply to another school? Here is your chance!
Learn about Chicago's new public schools at:
The 3rd Annual New Schools EXPO:
Presented by: Parents for School Choice & the Chicago Public Schools
| What: |
A showcase of Chicago's newest public schools, including charter schools and Renaissance 2010 schools.
New elementary and high school campuses created through Renaissance 2010 or pre-existing charter schools will be in attendance. Click here for a complete list of schools who participated last year (check back for an updated list).
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| When: |
Saturday, January 30, 2010
9:30am - 2:00pm |
| Where: |
Soldier Field (Indoors)
1410 South Museum Campus Drive
United Club Level One (indoors) |
What to Do:
- Meet new school leaders
- Apply to new public elementary and high schools
- Talk to other parents who are exploring the new schools
- Attend workshops such as: What Makes a Quality School, From a Parent's Perspective, and more!
What to Bring with You:
If you plan to apply to schools directly on-site at the EXPO, you are strongly encouraged to bring photo copies of the following identification items with you:
- Student birth certification or legal guardianship papers
- Student social security card
- Parent/Guardian license or ID card (not valid for proof of residency)
- Parent/Guardian proof of Chicago residency (i.e. utility, mortgage, medical card, bank statement, check card, voter registration card. No rental leases or cell phone bills accepted)
Many participating schools require this information when applying to prove that you and your child reside in Chicago. Without these items you may not be able to fully complete an application at the event.
Cost: FREE
- FREE admission, FREE parking, CTA accessible
Getting There:
By Public Transportation
Soldier Field is easily accessible by both CTA bus and train.
Take the CTA Green, Orange or Red line train to Roosevelt where you can pick up a free shuttle to Soldier Field.
Take the #12 Roosevelt bus to the Shedd Aquarium bus stop and walk 0.3 miles to Soldier Field.
Take the #146 Inner Drive/Michigan Express bus to the McFetridge & Park District Building stop and walk 0.3 miles to Soldier Field.
By Free Shuttle Bus
Free shuttle buses will be running back and forth from the Roosevelt L stop between 9:30am and 2:30pm.
By Car
FREE parking will be available in the South Garage which is adjacent to the EXPO venue
January 6, 2010
I received two phone calls from the Office of Academic Enhancement this morning. They are going to call every parent scheduled for the Selective enrollment test. They are giving the parents the option, if the student was scheduled, of taking the test this Saturday Jan 9th or next Saturaday January 16th. Your choice. If there is any confusion, please call Karen Hannsberry at 773-553-2105.
January 5, 2010
I have been receiving many emails and calls about the testing date letters from selective enrollment. I have not received any letters. I spoke with Brian Poole who is in charge of this process. He is sending out new letters. I will distribute the letters the day that I receive them. None of our students are scheduled for this Saturday. Most students will be tested next Saturady , January 16th at 1 pm at Lane Tech (you should arrive by 12:30.)
December 18, 2009
On December 16, 2009, the Chicago Board of Education approved a new admissions plan for magnet schools, Gifted and Enriched Academic Programs, and Selective Enrollment High Schools. As a result, the application period for the 2010-2011 school year has been extended to January 6, 2010.
The new policy, which will be in effect for one year, will use socio-economic data as a consideration in admissions instead of race. At the end of this admission cycle, the results of the policy will be analyzed to determine whether they were consistent with CPS goals of maintaining and, in some cases, increasing the socio-economic diversity in our schools. The policy will be adjusted as needed after analyzing the results.
The new recommended selective enrollment school procedure (elementary and high school):
1. Up to 40% of the seats will be filled on the basis of pure rank order
2. The remaining seats will be assigned by rank order, by socio-economic groups.
Key change:
Students will receive only one offer from selective enrollment schools – they will be selected for the highest-ranked school on their application for which they qualify.
For more information, visit the Office of Academic Enhancement website, www.cpsoae.org. Check under "NEWS" for updated information.
The new procedure at the entry level for magnet schools is as follows:
1. All siblings will be admitted.
2. Up to, but not exceeding, 40% of remaining seats will filled through a proximity lottery.
3. The remaining seats will be filled through a socio-economic based lottery.
Key changes:
No principal discretion for magnet schools.
· A proximity lottery will be held for all magnet schools. Previously, proximity preference would only be given if the entire school was less than 30% proximity.
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December 2009
There is additional information on the Proposed New Admissions Process now available at www.cps.oae.org
REMEMBER - THIS IS THE FINAL WEEK TO TURN IN CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS HIGH SCHOOL APPLICATIONS! ALL APPLICATION THAT NEED TO BE PROCESSED NEED TO BE TURNED IN TO MRS. BEERMAN, ROOM 300 BY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11TH!
Announcing a New School Expo - Saturday, Jan. 30th from 9:30 am-2pm Soldier Field (indoors), 1410 Museum Campus Drive.CPS is inviting all current seventh and eighth grade students to attend the city's New School Expo. It will introduce all to more than 85 new non-selective public school campuses including high school and elementary schools on the city's Northwest, West and South sides. These schools include performance, contract, charter, and professional development schools. You will have a chance to talk with school leaders, attend educational workshops, and begin the application process.
Free parking at Soldier Field - easily accessible by CTA. If you have any questions, contact Karen Corken 312-853-1236
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or Joe Giambrone at 773-553-5491 or
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or find out more about the EXPO by visiting the Parents for School Choice website at www.parentsforschoolchoice.org
November 2009
Don't be left out in the cold!
Lincoln Park IB applications are due on December 1st! Please make sure they are given to me by this Wednesday, November 25th, so I have time to process them.
All other applications are due in my office by December 11th!
NEW SELECTIVE ENROLLMENT POLICY - READ FOLLOWING CHIARTS INFO
The following is information regarding the ChiArts audition workshops. If you are applying to ChiArts, you have to audition. You must register for a workshop - I highly recommend you do so!
ChiArts audition workshops are open to any 8th-grade student who wishes to learn more about our audition process. Each workshop is taught by a professional from the Chicago arts community and will help students prepare for auditions. While participation is recommended, students are not required to attend a workshop in order to audition or apply for admission to ChiArts. No preparation is necessary for the audition workshops.
All workshops are free, but registration is required and space is limited. There is no need to sign up for more than one date in a single arts area (Musical theatre students are welcome to sign up for music, dance and theatre workshops). To register, review the dates and times below, then complete the Registration Form. Space is limited, and registration takes place on a first-come, first-serve basis.
UPCOMING WORKSHOP DATES (subject to change):
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 (North)
Waters Elementary, 4540 N Campbell Ave 60625
5:45 - 6:45pm: VISUAL ART
7:00 - 8:00pm: DANCE
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 (North)
Waters Elementary, 4540 N Campbell Ave 60625
5:45 - 6:45pm: THEATRE
7:00 - 8:00pm: MUSIC
Saturday, November 21, 2009 (South)
Hamilton Park Fieldhouse, 513 W 72nd St 60621
10:00 - 11:00am: VISUAL ART
11:15 - 12:15pm: DANCE
1:00 - 2:00pm: THEATRE
2:15 - 3:15pm: MUSIC
Saturday, December 5, 2009 (Central)
Irma Ruiz Elementary, 2410 S Leavitt St 60608
10:00 - 11:00am: VISUAL ART
11:15 - 12:15pm: DANCE
1:00 - 2:00pm: THEATRE
2:15 - 3:15pm: MUSIC
Once you know the workshop you would like to attend, complete the Registration Form. A confirmation email and additional information will be sent once your request is received.
Questions? Contact us by email:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or phone: 773-534-9710.
For IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 10, 2009
CPS Officials Announce New Policy for Admission to
Selective Enrollment and Magnet Schools
Socio-economic data will be used instead of race-based criteria
Chicago Public Schools officials today unveiled a policy proposal that would utilize socio-economic factors drawn from U.S. Census tract data for admissions to the District’s selective enrollment and magnet schools.
CPS officials will present the proposal to replace the race-based admissions policy that had been in effect as part of a longstanding desegregation consent decree to the Chicago Board of Education at its Dec. 16 meeting.
The goal of the policy is to maintain, and in some cases increase, socio-economic diversity in selective enrollment and magnet CPS schools, officials said. The policy will be reviewed and adjusted if needed after the 2010-11 school year.
"Diverse learning communities benefit all students by better preparing them to live in a diverse society and to compete in a global economy," said Ron Huberman, Chicago Public Schools chief executive officer, during a press conference at the District’s headquarters.
Huberman was joined at the press conference by Chicago Board of Education and elected officials, and by community leaders from throughout Chicago.
"We are committed to a fair process for all families who seek admission to our selective enrollment and magnet programs, and we believe that economic diversity in our schools will promote equitable educational outcomes for applicants in all communities of our city.
– more – Chicago Public Schools - Press Release Page 2 of 3 Office of Communications · 125 South Clark Street · Chicago, IL 60603 · (773) 553-1620 · FAX: (773) 553- 1621
"To address a potential burden on families with more than one child in CPS, these proposed policies also ease access into these schools for the siblings of students who are already enrolled."
In 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the U.S. Constitution does not permit school districts to classify and assign students on the basis of race or national origin. Since 1980, Chicago Public Schools had been operating under a consent decree which mandated that a race-based system be used for student admission to selective enrollment and magnet schools. The goal of the consent decree was to create desegregated schools, defined as 15-35 percent white and 65-85 percent minority.
On Sept. 24, U.S. District Court Judge Charles Kocoras vacated the decree. The court found that CPS had eliminated the last vestiges of past discrimination. In anticipation of such a ruling, CPS began to develop a new admissions process two years ago. However, although requested by the District, no transition time was granted by the court and a new policy must be in place for the next school year.
The shift to a policy that uses socio-economic criteria means:
�� Student addresses will identify the census tract in which the applicant lives. The data will describe the characteristics of the applicant’s neighborhood, not the individual.
�� Socio-economic data will be drawn from updated census data for each census tract.
�� Each tract will be assigned a socio-economic score based on median family income, adult educational attainment, percentage of owner-occupied homes, percentage of single-parent homes and percentage of households where a language besides English is spoken in the home.
�� The tracts will be arranged into four groups with a similar number of students in each group.
�� Subject to the applicant pool, any subsequent group-based lottery or procedure will pull an equal number of students from each group.
"We believe that this policy change gives us the tools necessary to structure an appropriate student mix in CPS selective enrollment and magnet schools, and provide those students with the best possible educational opportunities," Huberman said.
The Board will be further presented with new policies including:
�� For magnet schools, all siblings of existing students will be admitted providing seats are available, with 50 percent of any remaining seats going into a proximity lottery. Proximity is defined as living within a 1.5-miles of an elementary school or a 2.5-mile radius of a high school. Any additional remaining seats will be filled via a citywide socio-economic group-based lottery. Previously sibling admissions were capped at 45 percent and proximity preference was given only if the entire school had less than 30 percent proximity enrollment.
– more – Chicago Public Schools - Press Release Page 3 of 3 Office of Communications · 125 South Clark Street · Chicago, IL 60603 · (773) 553-1620 · FAX: (773) 553- 1621
�� For selective enrollments, half the students will be admitted on pure test score rank order and the other half by test score rank order within the socio-economic groups. Selective enrollment applicants will now receive one offer that best matches their qualifications and the preference they indicated on their application.
District officials have already begun substantial outreach on the proposal, explaining the proposed policy to various officials, organizations and community stakeholders. Those outreach efforts will continue in the coming weeks and include a series of town hall meetings in various parts of the city.
The initial public meetings include:
�� Saturday, November 14th, 10 a.m.-noon, at Andrew Jackson Elementary Language Academy, 1340 W. Harrison St.
�� Monday, November 16th, 6-8 p.m., Little Village High School, 3120 S. Kostner Ave.
�� Tuesday, November 17th, 6-8 p.m., King College Prep High School, 4445 S. Drexel Blvd.
�� Thursday, November 19th, 6-8 p.m., Amundsen High School, 5110 N. Damen Ave.
�� Friday, November 20, 6-8 p.m., Simeon High School, 8147 S. Vincennes Ave.
�� Saturday, November 21, 10 a.m.-noon, Westinghouse High School, 3223 W. Franklin Blvd.
Chicago Public Schools serves approximately 408,000 students in more than 670 schools. It is the nation’s third-largest school system.
For more information, check out www.selectiveenrollment.org
Alcott High School, 2957 Hoyne, will hold its open house on Sunday, November 8th from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.
October 2009
At this time, the following High Schools will be visiting us on Nov. 3rd:
Lane, Whitney Young, Jones, Northside, Lincoln Park, Payton, Lakeview, Von Steuben, Alcott, Noble Street Charter, and Chicago High School for the Arts
The Selective Enrollment High Schools selection process is based on a point system, with a maximum of 900 points. Criteria for selection is based on an application score that balances entrance exam results with standardized test scores and final classroom grades. The application score consists of: The entrance exam (33 1/3% or 300 points) 7th grade reading and math test results (33 1/3% or 300 points) 7th grade reading, math, science and social studies grades (33 1/3% or 300 points) The Selective Enrollment point system rubric can be accessed via the link below:
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Scoring Rubric -- Selective Enrollment -- 2010-2011.pdf
On Tuesday, November 3rd, we will be having a High School Fair for 8th graders and their parents here at Bell School from 12:30-2:30. High Schools representatives will be here to tell our students about their schools and answer questions. We will start in the auditorium. Parents are not required to come but you are more than welcome to join us.
Students with Disabilities
High School Fair News Flash!
The Office of Specialized Services of the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) will host seminars to support parents of seventh and eight grade students with disabilities in the high school selection process. These seminars will address the opportunities that are available for students with disabilities in the selective enrollment and magnet high schools; career and military academies; specialty high school programs; charter schools; and high school magnet programs. Come learn how your child’s interests, talents, and skills can provide him or her with an opportunity to access the many educational options available in the CPS high Schools!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
McCormick Place – Lakeside Center Hall D
2301 S. Lake Shore Drive
Career and Military Academies
(Session 1 of 4) 9:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Presenters: Dr. Floyd Carroll and Lt. Colonel Kim Harrell, Military Schools/JROTC
Education to Careers Representative
Charter Schools
(Session 2 of 4) 10:25 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.
Presenter: Carolyn Johnson, Office of Specialized Services
Specialty High Schools
(Session 3 of 4) 10:55 a.m. – 11:25 a.m.
Presenter: Dr. Rusty Burnette, Principal – Vaughn Occupational High School
Office of Specialized Services Administrators
Selective Enrollment High Schools,
Magnet High Schools and Magnet Programs
(Session 4 of 4) 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Presenters: Dr. Lea Lewis, Office of Academic Enhancement
Dr. Angela Washington, Office of Academic Enhancement
The High School Fair site is accessible by people with disabilities. Sign language interpreters are available upon request. If you need additional accommodations or these printed materials in alternative formats, please contact the appropriate department listed below by October 5, 2009. Please access CTA – for transportation Routes – Parking is $19.00 per car. To arrange reasonable accommodations for students, contact the Office of Specialized Services at 773-553-5448 (voice) or 773-553-1917 (TTY). To arrange reasonable accommodations for parents and other adults, contact the CPS ADA Administrator at 773-553-2698 (voice) or 773-553-2699 (TTY).
Deborah E. Duskey, Chief Specialized Services Officer
