email catalog
I’m hearing from families currently at Beacon that there is not going to be an open house this year. Beacon had planned one for late October but are now are sharing with their families that "prospective families are invited to explore our virtual open house from last school year, which provides an overview of our programs, facilities, and community.”
Will share out when I know more for sure. And wow.
And thanks to those who forwarded the info.
A bit of context: last year Beacon held their open house at the very end of November. It consisted of four 45 minute sessions on one evening that you had to sign up for. Families were free to wander the building themselves and there were teachers in classrooms giving some presentations.
During Covid they hosted zoom open houses that were rather glitchy.
Prior to Covid they’d host an open house you didn’t need to sign up for and students guided you around after a presentation from the principal. Many families didn’t get in so many people showed up.
There’s been no word yet on what they’re doing this year. Will keep you posted as soon as info is available.
Making sure everyone is clear about offers and how many you can get.
The SHSAT gives you the opportunity earn a seat at one of the 8 test in schools you rank. There is no guarantee you’ll get one but you could get one offer.
If you submit auditions/portfolios to LaGuardia you have an opportunity to earn a seat in disciplines you apply to. There are no guarantees but you could get one or more offers.
For ALL the other schools and programs, academic vs portfolio based, consortium, screened, screened with additional materials, ed opt, open, that you rank on your infinity list (my new name as there is no longer a cut off for the number of schools you list), you can get one offer. Just one. That’s it.
Note: sometimes, and this is pretty rare, you can get a specialized/LaGuardia offer and nothing off your infinity list. The application processes are totally different so if the DOE sees you have a match somewhere, they won’t assign you to a random school if you don’t match with something on your application.
Manhattan Village Academy is hosting in person open houses. Click here to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdsLKmqt3kyUTouduaT90T1VPprm2CBZmsOwr6GpZ67gtkJIQ/viewform
Sat, 10/19 at 10am
Sat, 10/19 at 12pm
Mon, 10/21 at 4:30pm
Tues, 11/12 at 4:30pm
East Side Community is hosting in person open houses. Click here to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdM0Y684FBsjoUfGkQmxeauLyuci2dnMGVl2Iq9cA_1YCWNxA/viewform
Thur, 11/14 from 5:30-6:30pm
Fri, 11/15 from 9-10am
It’s a bit challenging to find on their website:
When one thinks of audition/portfolio based schools one might think of art and music and dance (that’s what I thought when I was going through the process). But there’s a wider variety of options out there that might appeal to your kid, from graphic design or film to technical theater or photography.
You can find info about all the programs that are offered, what their audtion/portfolio asks are, and what schools these programs are at on the DOE website: https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enroll-grade-by-grade/high-school/high-school-auditions
Before Covid everything was in person, then everything was virtual, and now everyone accepts virtual submissions (through MySchools) and many are also hosting in person opportunities. You can find out which is available at each school at the link above under the AUDITION OPTIONS BY SCHOOL drop down.
Each school has this info on MySchools and you can often find it on individual school sites as well.
Note: NO grades or random numbers are used in ranking students at these programs/schools. Random numbers are only used as tie breakers with kids who have the same score.
Another note: LaGuardia as a grade cut off of 65. Everyone above 65 is ranked solely on submission, with random numbers are only used as tie breakers with kids who have the same score.
Checking out applicants per seat is a great tool to use when considering schools. Some people think the more applicants per seat, the more desirable/popular a school is - even how good it is. And while yes, that number is a data point, it also helps to take into account how many seats there actually are.
Many of you are looking at specialized schools and ranking them this week. I’m using these schools as an example but it applies everywhere.
In the chart below you’ll see that the larger schools: Brooklyn Tech, Bronx Science, and Stuyvesant have far fewer applicants per seat than the other schools. The very small schools have the most applicants per seat. That doesn’t make schools with more applicants per seat better - it just means that there are less seats to go around for all that have them on their application.
Bronx Science
748
26
Brooklyn Latin
215
82
Brooklyn Tech
1490
16
HSMSE
140
140
HS American Studies
104
161
Queens HS for the Sciences
116
145
Staten Island Tech
328
48
Stuyvesant
850
26
While this can be early in the process to be thinking about waitlists, I know some of you already are (that goes for college too).
As I’ve mentioned, waitlists are relatively new and the system has changed a bit or significantly each season since they started.
Here’s the info currently on the DOE website - this hasnt’ been updated since waitlists closed in September: https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enroll-grade-by-grade/waitlists
Check out the info at the bottom about how kids are ranked on waitlists based on admissions methods. It explains how kids can get lower on lists during the process.
Keep in mind that all students get new random numbers for each wait list they’re on. Last year those new numbers were not shared with families.
From the DOE website:
What are waitlists?
Middle and high schools use waitlists to fill any open seats after offers are released. Being on a waitlist means your child does NOT have an offer to that program.
Not all programs will have available seats, so not all programs will make waitlist offers.
Not all students on waitlists will receive a waitlist offer.
If a program can make you a waitlist offer, they will contact you directly.
Unlike all other middle and high school programs, the Specialized High Schools do NOT use waitlists.
Which middle and high schools have waitlists?
Every program that you can list on your application has a waitlist, but many middle and high schools will not have any open seats and therefore will not make any offers to students on their waitlist.
Please note that the nine Specialized High Schools do not have waitlists.
(Open external link)do not have waitlists.
I’m on a program’s waitlist. Does this mean I will get an offer to that program?
Not necessarily. Schools will only make waitlist offers if they have open seats to fill. Being on a waitlist means your child does not have an offer to that program, and not all students on waitlists will receive a waitlist offer.
Where am I automatically waitlisted?
Your child is automatically on the waitlist for any program they listed higher on their application than the program where they received an offer. For instance, if you receive an offer to your third-choice program, you will be automatically waitlisted at your second- and first-choice programs. If you’ve received an offer to your first-choice program, you are not automatically on any waitlists.
How do I add myself to waitlists? (Optional)
When waitlists open, you can also add your child to any additional waitlists of any programs they are eligible to attend
Is there a limit to how many waitlists I can be on?
There is no limit to how many programs’ waitlists a student can be on.
How is my position on a waitlist determined?
Waitlist positions are determined by admissions method, admissions priorities, and when a family added themselves to the waitlist.
High School Waitlists
At open / education option waitlists:
Automatically waitlisted students: students are positioned based on a waitlist random number. This waitlist random number is unique for each waitlist, and is different from the random number used on the application.
Added to the waitlist: students are positioned in timestamp order behind those who are already on the waitlist.
At screened high school waitlists:
Automatically waitlisted students: students are positioned in order of screened admissions group, starting with group 1. Within each admissions group, students are ordered based on a waitlist random number.
Added to the waitlist: students are positioned within their screened admissions group in timestamp order, behind students who are already on the waitlist.
At audition or screened with assessment high school waitlists:
Automatically waitlisted students: students are positioned based on the weighted average of their course grades and assessment score, or based on their audition score.
Added to the waitlist: students are positioned based within other students on the waitlist based on their weighted average of audition score, or based on their audition score.
At screened with assessment programs, students who didn’t participate in the assessment are positioned based just on their grades.
At audition programs, students who didn’t audition are positioned in timestamp order, behind other students already on the waitlist.
At programs with priority groups:
Students are positioned in priority group order. For example at a high school with a Bronx priority, first students and residents of the Bronx are positioned, then all other students are positioned.
Diversity in admissions priorities are not part of waitlists, with the exception of Bard Manhattan and Bard Queens. (For example, priorities for students who are low income or English Language Learners [ELLs].)
Bard Queens now says they’ll have touring info available in late October and that they’ll offer student led tours after school.
Gotham Tech is hosting an open house every Wednesday at 2pm: https://www.q417.org/
I would suggest reaching out to the school for more info.
School of the Future is hosting in person and zoom open house/tours. Click here for info/to register: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NCYHBbuclUlauZktP4c03todq3pKTa2oievGBql0JHE/edit?tab=t.0
In person:
Mon, 10/28 from 4:30-5:30pm
Sat, 11/16 from 12-1pm
zoom (check back for zoom link):
Mon, 11/25 at 6:15pm
Over the past few seasons there have been a bunch of changes and it can get confusing as to how the DOE and others are referring to and labeling them so I thought I’d take a moment to share terms and a bit of history.
Random number
This is that long string of numbers and letters that determine how you’ll be ranked in a variety of places.
On the DOE website it’s called: RANDOM NUMBER.
in MySchools it’s called: HIGH SCHOOL APPLICATION RANDOM NUMBER
The high school facebook group dubbed it: RAN (random application number)
People still refer to it as LOTTERY NUMBER, even in spots on the DOE website
History: before random numbers were released and before people even know about them, a lottery system was introduced at a few district 2 schools and everyone, including the DOE used the term LOTTERY.
Screened Admissions Group:
This is what group you’re in for screened schools based on 7th grade end of year grades.
On the DOE website there isn’t an actual term. They talk about screened admissions and then what group you fall into.
in MySchools it’s called: SCREENED ADMISSIONS GROUP
The high school facebook group calls it: SAG (screened admissions group)
People still refer to it as your TIER instead of GROUP
History: Pre Covid this admissions system didn’t exist. For the most part, at screened schools without additional materials, students were ranked top down by grades, attendance, and state test scores. Every school had its own rubric on how they evaluated that info. The DOE introduced this screened group system to centralize the admissions process.
Brooklyn College Academy is hosting an open house on 10/24 at 4:30pm. Link to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScnDLJUHTyDvMaI1VLtMieVhEP7cVBCJB1oHQY4RRrG0314YQ/viewform
High School for Environmental Studies open houses sign up form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd0WOoUdnSCe2_85Z-CCt5gzEFVrXlqkOpXfooDZ48Sj02ydA/viewform
Leon Goldstein has open house registration links on their homepage: https://www.lmghs.org/
Millennium Brooklyn will post registration for their 10/22 zoom open house at 12pm on 10/15
West End Secondary is hosting in person open houses. Click here for info/to register: https://www.westendsecondary.com/admissions
Monday, October 21st: 6-7pm
Wednesday, November 13th: 5-6pm
Monday, November 18th: 6-7pm
Yesterday I sent out a list of the screened schools I track and their additional materials ask. Many have a grading rubric, either on the same page as their as or at a link for you to check out.
CHECK THOSE OUT!
Same goes for specifications for audition/portfolio submissions.
If someone is letting you know how they will be grading additional materials, that is a super bonus. It’s not the time to go free form and do whatever you feel like and hope for the best. I’ve known families who submitted what they thought were the most remarkable essays ever written, only to find they didn’t get a strong score because they ignored what the school was looking for.
Keeping in mind these schools can sort through hundreds if not thousands of essays, videos, tests, interviews. Having a grading rubric helps them keep track of what they’re looking for. That matters.
Want to make sure everyone is clear about the different admissions methods and how random numbers are involved, in big and small ways. Keep in mind you can find each school’s admissions method in MySchools and for the schools I track, on the seats and admissions methods spreadsheet on the HS411 website.
Admissions methods
Open/Lottery
At these schools nothing is considered beyond your random number.
ED OPT - educational option
There are 3 tiers: low, middle, and high based on 7th grade end of year grades.
You’ll see your ED OPT group in Myschools.
Each group is filled with one third of students.
Random number ranks kids within their group.
Screen schools
There are 5 screened school admission groups
You’ll see your group in Myschools.
Top group cut off is 94.25.
Once in a group you are ranked by random number.
Schools consider all students in group one before moving on to the next group.
So, someone with a weak lottery number in group one will be considered before someone with a group number in group two.
Screened schools with additional materials
The complete list: https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enroll-grade-by-grade/high-school/assessments-for-screened-schools
Different schools have different asks and different rubrics. Some materials are submitted at MySchools, some at individual school websites. This info is all available at the link above and also in MySchools.
For schools that consider “grades” as part of their rubric, each group has an assigned point number: 100 points for group 1, 90 for group 2.
A student’s final score the weighed average of the grade they get on their admissions materials and the points assigned based on their screened group.
Random number is tie breaker when kids have the same final score.
Audition based
Ranking is based totally on audition/portfolio submission.
Random number is tie breaker when kids have the same score.
LaGuardia
Everyone over minimum gpa is considered equal. Last season it was 65.
Random number is tie breaker when kids have the same audition/portfolio score.
Specialized
ONLY the SHSAT is used for ranking students.
This is the ONLY scenario where random numbers aren’t considered.
This is a lot but I thought it helpful to see it all in one place.
Below you’ll find more specific info about additional material asks, when possible, along with rubrics and where to submit for the schools I track. Some schools offer in person interviews and/or online components that you need show up or log on to access.
Note: school links on the DOE’s page about additional materials aren’t all working.
For a list of ALL schools asking for additional materials: https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enroll-grade-by-grade/high-school/assessments-for-screened-schools
Consortium schools including Beacon, East Side Community, School of the Future, ICE, and University Heights Secondary ask for an essay:
Prompt, from the DOE website: To apply to any or all of the programs above, answer one of the two prompts below in 500 words or fewer:
How do you think a school with this approach to learning will help you grow academically, personally, and creatively? What do you think you have to offer a school community like this?
We admire students who are flexible in their approach to learning and willing to take intellectual risks that move them out of their comfort zone. Reflect on a time when you were intellectually challenged, inspired, or took an intellectual risk––inside or outside the classroom. How has that experience shaped you?
Beacon
20% Average course grades/80% essay
submit through MySchools
East Side Community
100% essay
submit through MySchools
School of the Future
100% essay
submit through MySchools
Baccalaureate School for Global Education
60% Average course grades/40% video
submit through MySchools
Click here for video instructions and rubric:
https://bsge.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/24.25-video-prompt-and-rubric.pdf
From the school’s website:
24.25 Admissions Video Prompt
We would like to learn about you. Please make a 3 minute video where you cover two topics:
1. Fill a bag with 3 objects that help explain, describe, or show aspects of who you are and what makes
you unique. As you take them out, share the significance and meaning of each one. Be creative! Be
original!
2. Teach us something! Show us how to build, create, or do something that you know and/or like to do.
Keep it fun! It can be simple, we want to see what you care about.
You decide how you want to allot the 3 minutes.
Before you submit, make sure you:
● introduced yourself
● explained what you’re doing and why it’s important to you (details matter)
● checked that the entire video is not longer than 3 minutes
● included both parts of the video prompt
● spoke with a loud and clear voice
● filmed in a quiet area
● watched your video before you submit
Bards
10% Average course grades/30% Humanities response/30% Math portion/30% Interview
in person testing and possible interview
From Bard websites:
There are three parts to the assessment: a writing prompt, a math part, and an interview. Not all students will be interviewed, only those that do well on our assessment. We will notify students on their interview status within 4 weeks. All students will be notified if they’ve made it to the interview stage or not.
Note: testing and interviews will take place in person.
Register here for the assessment:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdtEgxGndTqreJdH-N7nE1Rrx4umz8llWKC8q4uuULlpVMI3g/viewform
Brooklyn College Academy
50% Average course grades/50% school based assessment
submit at school website
information isn’t posted on the school website yet
Frank McCourt
20% Average course grades/80% interview/online form
submit at school website
Click here for the admissions essay link and rubric: https://www.fmhsnyc.org/admissions_process
From their website:
Which of the following Frank McCourt High School elements are you excited to learn more about when you are a student here? Please select three.
You will explain your choices in the next question.
Please select 3 of the following elements:
Competency Learning - Using Outcomes (specific skills that can help you learn better)
Competency Learning - Having chances to revise your work to better show off your skills
Advisory - One teacher and set of students you will stay with for 4 years
PGC - Peer Group Connection - meeting weekly with mentors from the older grades
Integrated Curriculum - Taking classes that blend 2 or more subjects
Intersession - One intensive class for 5-6 weeks in 11th and 12th grade
Block Schedule - Longer class periods so there is time for group problem solving
Collaboration - Working in groups and teams for projects and processes to help each other learn
Diversity - Working with students and staff from many different places in NYC and the world
Other:
Question: Please explain why you are excited about the three FMHS elements that you selected. Please respond with at least 250 words.
Gramercy Arts
65% Average course grades/35% interview
submit at school website
information isn’t posted on the school website yet
Manhattan/Hunter Science
70% Average course grades/30% essay
submit at school website
Click here for their application and essay prompt:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSezU2yEusNloNZHpj9ux9TluSILuo0CCyDRwX6yVE2sJ3M5Ng/viewform
Note: You have to fill out their online application before you get to their essay prompt
NEST
50% grades/50% online admissions activity
submit at school website
Click here for their instructions and essay prompt: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YWRHMZlTEyC9eNs0WgRucC--aVsMAKCMo120CaHdjlI/edit
From their website:
Prewriting - At NEST+m we are guided by our ethos- intellectualism, inclusivity, collaboration, and exploration, and by our commitment to equity-driven accelerated learning. Reflecting our values, we believe that our community is better and stronger when we build it together.
Our writing task asks you to explore what excites you about joining the NEST+m community- what do you hope to experience here and what do you hope to contribute, as we build and evolve our community together? Before you write your response, please spend some time getting to know NEST+m by exploring the resources below:
EXPLORE our Guiding Principles
VISIT our school website: https://nestmk12.net/
ATTEND a virtual tour or view a recording
October 16, 2024 6 pm
ATTEND a self-guided Open House
Sunday, October 20th
Saturday, November 16th
Saturday December 7th
HEAR what our students have to say about NEST+m in an Upper Grades Student Voices
BROWSE the slides from our Virtual Tour: Upper Grades Slides
CHECK OUT this video about clubs and sports: Intro to Clubs & Sports at NEST+m (Club Directory, Athletics Website)
Prompt: What excites you about the possibility of joining the NEST+m community?
After reflecting the prewriting tasks, exploring the materials above, and reviewing the rubric, respond to the prompt in 450-700 words with specific examples; be sure to answer the following questions in your response:
What connections do you see between your own values, interests, and passions and the ethos, mission, vision, instructional, and extracurricular programs at NEST+m? How do you see yourself contributing to the NEST+m community?
NYC iSchool
100% online admissions activity
submit at school website
Link to info and online admissions activity: https://www.nycischool.org/online-admissions-activity-open
Note: their submissions due date is 12/9 at 4pm, rubric is at the bottom of the info page.
Townsend Harris
60% grades/20% essay/20% video
submit through MySchools
Click here for essay prompt and video info: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1r_qZTM6BueYPBa0Fao80D1bBjE6H7TLGboUNR6c06cE/edit
From their website:
TOWNSEND HARRIS ADMISSIONS ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS 2024-2025
Preface: All students at Townsend Harris High School swear “The Ephebic Oath.” The below assessment asks you to explore and analyze different aspects of it. Below is the full text of the Oath:
THE EPHEBIC OATH
I shall never bring disgrace to my city, nor shall I ever desert my comrades in the ranks; but I, both alone and with my many comrades, shall fight for the ideals and sacred things of the city. I shall willingly pay heed to whoever renders judgment with wisdom and shall obey both the laws already established and whatever laws the people in their wisdom shall establish. I, alone and with my comrades, shall resist anyone who destroys the laws or disobeys them. I shall not leave my city any less but rather greater than I found it.
Part 1: Video
Please submit a 2 minute (maximum time) video that includes ALL of the following:
1. An introduction to you
2. An answer to the questions below:
We believe that every student has a special and unique artistic, intellectual and personal talent, interest, ability and/or gift that can enrich our school community. Our Ephebic Oath states that we promise to “leave our city greater than we found it.” Identify two talents, interests, abilities or gifts you possess that would enrich our school community and how you would “leave it greater than you found it.”
Part 2: Humanities Writing
Please respond to the below prompt. Your response should be between 250-500 words (approximately 1200-2500 characters).
The Prompt:
The most famous line from the Ephebic Oath is “I shall not leave my city any less but rather greater than I found it.” In keeping with this oath, Townsend Harris students are required to serve a minimum of 40 hours of community service each year.
George Bernard Shaw in his play Man and Superman writes, “This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being a force of Nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy” He also stated, “I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the community, and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work, the more I live. Life is no 'brief candle' to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for a moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to the future generations.”
Considering George Bernard Shaw’s statements on the nature of serving the community, should Townsend Harris students swear an oath to their community and be required to “volunteer”?
Develop and support a perspective on the above question. Use the two resources below to help you develop your response.
The Resources:
Resource 1: “Should You Have to Do Community Service?” by Kathy Wilmore
Resource 2: “How volunteering can benefit mental health” Part 1 & Part 2 by NBC News
Some schools who ask for additional materials use those as 100% of their admissions rubric. Others count grades or really “grades” as part of their rubric.
The DOE assigns a set number of points based on what screened group you’re in. See chart below:
From the DOE website: https://www.schools.nyc.gov/enrollment/enroll-grade-by-grade/high-school/assessments-for-screened-schools (scroll down to FOR SCHOOLS WITH ADDITIONAL CRITERIA . . . )
Course grades and the school’s assessment scores will be combined using a weighted average. High schools choose how the two components are weighted; this is shown on each school’s MySchools profile, and in the table above.
Each student’s course grades will be mapped to a 100 point scale based on their admissions group. (Please see the chart below to see how each group’s grades will be mapped.) Schools will then submit their scores for their assessment on a 100 point scale. Each student’s grade mapping is then averaged with the assessment score, weighing the components according to how the school chooses to weigh the two components. Students are then admitted in descending order of the combined, weighted score.
For example, If a school weighted course grades at 20% and an essay at 80%, and an applicant who fell into admissions group 1 had an essay score of 85:
The student’s grade mapping would be 100 since they fall in group 1.
The essay score is 85.
Then the scores would be averaged using the school’s weights: (100 X 20%) + (85 X 80%) = 88
This student’s final score would be 88.
Students are admitted in descending final score order.
Keep in mind that in EVERY tie situation - meaning student who get the same exact score, random numbers as used as tie breakers.
I know it can help to compare/contrast school data if you’re looking at it all in one place, rather than jumping from page to page in MySchools. You can find info about all the schools I track in the HS411 members section under seats, priorities, and admissions methods.
The screenshot below shows what you’re looking at. You can see numbers of seats/applicants per seat for both gen ed and SWD for last season and the season before, DIA percentages, if there are any priority groups, admissions methods, if there are additional materials required, and school addresses. So, you can gauge grade size, how in demand the school/programs are, and more.
The names in BLACK are the schools, the grey names are programs within that school.
Any questions, ask away.
Even though waitlists don’t kick in until after students accept offers in March, I know they’re on the minds of lots of people.
YES you will get a new lottery number for every waitlist you’re on.
NO you will not know what those numbers are.
YES people get offers off waitlists.
NO not every school makes wait list offers.
Here’s how it works—you are automatically added to every waitlist above where you get an offer on your application. So, if you get your 5th choice you’ll be added to 1-4. You can also choose to add yourself to as many waitlists as you want.
While new lottery numbers are generated for each waitlist, assigned groups will still be in place so if you’re in group 3, for screened schools everyone in groups 1 and 2 will still be ahead of you. Keep this in mind while you’re listing schools on your application - this new add as many schools as you want is a bit misleading when it comes to waitlists. Sure, you can list everything under the sun, but your waitlist chances still might not be optimal. #realitycheck
Your place on waitlists can shift as well as people add themselves along the way. Priority groups still hold true so if someone in a priority group signs up for a waitlist, they can jump in ahead of your spot. And, while schools have been know to make hundreds of waitlist offers (hearing that from some school principals), no one know if those spots are offered to gen ed, SWD, or DIA students. Each of those groups has its own set aside of seats and have to be filled with kids from each distinct group.
Waitlists are relatively new and each season has brought changes so how things worked last year isn’t guaranteed for this year. Will keep you posted as more info becomes available.
Fort Hamilton is hosting an in person open house. Click here for more info/to register: https://www.fthhs.org/apps/news/article/1974802\
Mon, 10/21 at 6:30pm