NYC High School Admissions: Your Ultimate Summer Prep Guide for Success
By Katie Miller
Summer is a time for relaxation and fun, but it's also a crucial period to prepare for the high school admissions process. Planning ahead and being well-informed can make a significant difference in securing a spot at a right fit school. To help you navigate this journey smoothly, we've compiled some dos and don'ts, along with a loose timeline for the public school admissions process.
What to DO over the summer:
Research Schools
Take advantage of the summer months to thoroughly research potential schools. Watch our past webinars, explore school websites, and check out informative platforms like nycsift.com and Myschools.nyc. Gathering insights about each school's culture, programs, and offerings will enable you to make well-informed decisions.
Start SHSAT Test Prep Early
If your child plans to apply to one of the 8 specialized high schools that require the SHSAT for entry, start test preparation early! Don't forget to take practice tests to gauge your child's strengths and areas for improvement.
Prepare for Arts Auditions
If your child is interested in schools with audition requirements, work on preparing for auditions over the summer. Whether it's practicing monologues, dance routines, or music pieces, early preparation can boost confidence when the audition dates approach.
Encourage Independent Reading
Foster a love for reading in your child by encouraging them to explore fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. Reading not only improves language skills but also nurtures creativity and critical thinking.
What NOT to do During the Summer:
Start School-Based Assessments
Avoid starting school-based assessments during the summer. These prompts might change, and investing time in them prematurely could be counterproductive.
Finalize Arts Portfolios or Auditions
Avoid finalizing any arts portfolios or audition materials too soon. Admission requirements may evolve, and waiting until the official guidelines are released will ensure your submission aligns with the latest criteria.
Rank Schools
Refrain from ranking schools at this stage. Instead, create categories such as "love," "like," and "live with" to organize your list without committing to specific rankings.
Make Final Decisions Based on Past Data
Avoid making final decisions about school choices based on last year's screening or tier cutoffs. These numbers are subject to change, and it's best to assess the current situation in the fall.
NYC High School Admissions Timeline:
By September 1: Compile a list of 20-25 general education schools and a list of SHSAT schools of interest.
By October 1: Aim to narrow down the general education list to 18-20 schools and rank the SHSAT schools.
By November 1: Aim to further reduce the general education school list to 15-18 schools and make significant progress on School-Based Assessments and auditions.
By December 1: Have a finalized and balanced list of 12 (or more!) general education schools, ranked from the most preferred to the least.
Final Tips for NYC Parents
Keep in mind that the High School application is expected to open in October, and key information will be released in early fall. Be sure to stay updated on important details such as tier systems, diversity in admissions set-asides, borough priorities, and school-based assessment and audition requirements.
By following these dos and don'ts and adhering to the high school admissions timeline, you can streamline the high school admissions process and make well-informed decisions for your child's academic future. Remember that preparation and early research can set the foundation for a successful admissions journey. Best of luck to all students and parents embarking on this exciting adventure!
About Katie Miller
Katie Miller is an NYC high school admissions consultant who has helped hundreds of families navigate the NYC public high school admissions process, including SHSAT preparation, screened school applications, and audition-based admissions.
