High School Planning

There are great options for everyone. Think about what will work for your student & family needs. What works for one student may not work for another.

Things to Consider: Location School Size Interests Areas, Curriculum and Courses Extracurricular Activities Class competition and the College Process

High School Choices No ApplicationApplicationApplication Plus Application OnlyApplication plus other individual program requirements Neighborhood High SchoolMagnet and charter schools International Baccalaureate (IB), Selective Enrollment Schoollocator.cps.k12.il.uswww.apply.cps.edu Academic Center students may stay at Taft if: a.They are passing all classes and have no discipline referrals b.IB, AVID & ROTC-have completed the appropriate applications and met all requirements. *Make sure to cover all you options!

application changes New this year: PINs will be provided to all eighth grade students via the eligibility letter. The eligibility letter will also identify the programs for which you are eligible to apply, based on your seventh grade standardized test scores and/or final grades. CPS/Charter Students will receive their eligibility through their school counselor in September. Non-CPS Students must submit a Non-CPS Student Eligibility Letter Request Form (accessible at – click ‘Apply’), along with their seventh grade scores and final grades. After the form is processed, an eligibility letter will be sent to your home. You will be able to use the online application site, to schedule and reschedule your own appointments. NOTE: The scheduling process opens September 23rd. Applications are accepted starting October 1st. If you plan to apply online, you must schedule your appointments BEFORE you submit your applications. If you do not want to schedule/apply online, submit a paper application and your appointments will be scheduled by the Office of Access and Enrollment (or, in the case of Senn Fine and Performing Arts Program, by the school). You will receive letters notifying you of the dates, times, and locations of your appointments.

SELECTIVE ENROLLMENT HIGH SCHOOLS ROBERT LINDBLOM MATH & SCIENCE ACADEMY HS 6130 S WOLCOTT AVE Chicago, IL 60636http:// Phone Number: WILLIAM JONES COLLEGE PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL 606 S STATE ST Chicago, IL 60605http:// Phone Number: WALTER PAYTON COLLEGE PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL 1034 N WELLS ST Chicago, IL 60610http:// Phone Number: GEORGE WESTINGHOUSE HIGH SCHOOL 3223 W. Franklin Blvd Chicago, IL 60624http:// Phone Number: ALBERT G LANE TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL 2501 W ADDISON ST Chicago, IL 60618http:// Phone Number: GWENDOLYN BROOKS COLLEGE PREPARATORY ACADEMY HS 250 E 111TH ST Chicago, IL 60628http://brookscollegeprep.org/ Phone Number: NORTHSIDE COLLEGE PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL 5501 N KEDZIE AVE Chicago, IL 60625http:// Phone Number: DR MARTIN LUTHER KING JR COLLEGE PREP HS 4445 S DREXEL BLVD Chicago, IL 60653http://kingcollegeprep.org/newking/ Phone Number: WHITNEY YOUNG MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL 211 S. LAFLIN ST Chicago, IL Phone Number: SOUTH SHORE INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL 1955 E. 75TH ST. Chicago, IL Report a problem

SELECTIVE ENROLLMENT TEST DATES For the school year, the Selective Enrollment High Schools admissions exam will be offered on the following dates: October 26, 2013 November 23, 2013 December 14, 2013 January 11, 2013 January 25, 2013 The exams will be administered at four sites: King College Preparatory High School, 4415 S. Drexel Blvd.; Lane Tech High School, 2501 W. Addison St.; Lindblom Math and Science Academy, 6130 S. Wolcott Ave.; and Whitney Young Magnet High School, 211 S. Laflin St. If your child takes the admissions exam on October 26th or November 23rd, you will receive your test results within three weeks of the test date. This will allow you to calculate your child's total point score prior to the application deadline of December 13, (For exams taken on all other dates, test results will be included in the notification letter sent to the student's home in February 2014.)

Selective Enrollment  May select up to 6 Selective Enrollment Schools  Rank Schools in order of 1 Most Interested to 6 Least Interested  Only select schools you are interested in attending  APPLY ONLINE: notification receipt of application, easier for CPS to process and instant communication.  SEHS exam-general knowledge exam, CPS does not recommend Test Preparation  IB application now online with SE application-MUST attend IB informational meeting

The Admissions Exam The Selective Enrollment High Schools admissions exam is approximately three hours long. The exam covers four subject areas: reading comprehension, vocabulary, language arts (grammar), and math word problems. Calculators are not allowed (unless this is specified in the accommodations on an IEP).

Test Study Guide ID=48824&type=u ID=48824&type=u A link for an enrollment test study guide is available on the Academic Center student created website!!!

S.E. Application Points 7 th grade final grades 300 Points 7 th grade final grades 300 Points 7 th grade ISAT scores 300 Points 7 th grade ISAT scores 300 Points Entrance Exam 300 Points Entrance Exam 300 Points 900 Total Points

Selection Process NO sibling preference. NO consideration for proximity. First 30% of seats at each school are filled by rank score ONLY. Remaining seats are divided equally among the four tiers. Selective Enrollment High Schools do not have waiting lists. Students who decline offers, or who have not received an offer, remain in the applicant pool. If schools have seats remaining, it is possible for a student in the applicant pool to receive an offer in a subsequent round.

Useful websites  Overview of application process  FAQ  Point System Calculator  For details on how the tiers are populated:

Important Dates Months (s)Activities September - December  September 23, Enter PIN Number and start Scheduling Selective Enrollment Entrance Exams and IB Information Sessions  Attend Open Houses  October 1, 2013 – The High School Application is open November- December  Gather all school/program applications  Submit applications no later than Dec 13 February 2014  SEHS, Magnet and IB acceptance letters mailed March 2014  Return Final Decision letters

Why Choose Taft? Freshmen Year transition is one of the mostdifficult transitions. “ 9 th grade transition has been called the “make-or-break transition”. Struggle happens not only with the academic challenges of high school but socialconcerns, unfamiliar school situations and change in school relationships.”John Hopkins University Students know the building, processes andprocedures Students have established relationships withteachers and staff Top of the class and leaders within the school Opportunity to create unique college profile Sports and Activities

What is the IB Diploma Programme? A rigorous, college preparatory curriculum which focuses on international perspectives of learning and teaching, while insisting that students fully explore their home culture and language for the 11 th and 12 th grades. IB curriculum emphasizes development of strong critical thinking, analytical, writing and communication skills through a variety of assessments. Students at Taft prepare for the program by entering the 9 th grade into the two year Honors IB Preparatory Program. IB provides established international standards for schools, teachers, and students, resulting in IB schools being recognized as some of the top schools in the nation, according to Newsweek and US News and World Report.

Who is the IB student? A motivated, hard working individual looking for a challenging program that will prepare them for university studies in a global society.

How to apply for IB 7 th grade final grades 450 Points 7 th grade final grades 450 Points 7 th grade ISAT scores 450 Points 7 th grade ISAT scores 450 Points Info Session REQUIRED Info Session REQUIRED 900 Total Points Go to Make sure to select IB Diploma Programme and apply to Taft. Eligible students will receive notification for a required information session at Taft from the OAE. There is no preference for applicants of siblings who are already enrolled. Students are given preference based on their home address, not tiers 50 points will be applied to attendance area students prior to information session notification Seats are filled by rank based on an overall applicant score (total 900 points). Notification letters are sent to parents by the OAE in February Confirmation forms to accept an offer are sent by parents to the OAE in March 2013.

AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination)

What Is AVID?  Selective four year college preparatory program  A daily class where students develop writing, reading, inquiry, and collaboration skills while designing their college and career dreams  An elective course selection that counts towards graduation

AVID Mission:  succeed in a rigorous curriculum  complete a college preparatory path  will enter mainstream activities of the school  enroll in a 4 year college/university

AVID Students will: Become stronger writers & readersDevelop public Speaking skills Utilize structured note-takingBuild leadership skills Attend bi-weekly, in-class tutorialsWork on organizational skills Be held accountable for core classesVisit minimum 2 colleges per year Attend guest speaker colloquiaEnroll in Honors/AP courses Prepare for Standardized TestsDevelop academic & career goals  Research & apply to colleges & universities (minimum of 5)  Apply for college scholarships (minimum of 5)

Application Procedure Application available on the Taft website Interview with AVID team

TAFT NJROTC ACADEMY Distinguished Unit Twelve Consecutive Years 2001 To 2012 William Howard Taft NJROTC Academy

Next year at Taft you have to make a very important decision. NJROTC or PE William Howard Taft NJROTC Academy If you attend William Howard Taft High School, you will have an opportunity to enroll in one of the top Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) Academies in Chicago and the nation. When you register to attend Taft, you will have to make a choice. Either enroll in two years of Naval Science or two years of Physical Education (P. E.). The NJROTC Program is a challenging college prep course. Students that are selected to be cadets will not be enrolled in Physical Education, but they will be able to select any Education to Careers Cluster.

The NJROTC Program does not require cadets to enlist into the military service after graduation. William Howard Taft NJROTC Academy Naval JROTC cadets are encouraged to maintain an average grade of “C” or better, and the program is run with discipline and military bearing. Cadets are expected to act like mature individuals and will learn to give and receive orders. Naval JROTC cadets are encouraged to maintain an average grade of “C” or better, and the program is run with discipline and military bearing. Cadets are expected to act like mature individuals and will learn to give and receive orders. For more information see our website or please call (773) EXCITING ACTIVITIES IN NJROTC Academic Teams, Drill Teams, Orienteering Teams, and Physical Fitness Teams; Various Competitions; Summer Basic and Advanced Leadership Camps; Trips to various military bases.

Benefits from enrolling in Naval Science and being a part Taft Naval JROTC Academy William Howard Taft NJROTC Academy – Leadership and Discipline – College Prep –Scholarships: College ROTC Scholarships worth $200, Service Academy Selections worth $400, –Advanced Enlistment into the Military (optional) –Travel: Spring Break Trips, Competitions, College Visits –Citizenship: Community Service and involvement