TOURING: Academy for Careers in Television and Radio, HS of Telecommunication Arts and Technology, Brooklyn Latin, High School for Math, Science and Engineering

Good morning! Some more schools announced viewing options. Brooklyn Latin now has a date and we’re just waiting on Brooklyn Tech for their open house info. They usually host one open house that doesn’t require pre-registration. 

Academy for Careers in Television and Radio is hosting an in person open house: https://actvf.org/

Tues, 10/8 from 6-8pm

High School of Telecommunication Arts and Technology is hosting an in person open house. Click here to register: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WyFP2U_-7BULDKl9S79CTH9mey0lHq7ZMipTTUfyT5I/edit

Thurs, 10/17 at 6pm

SPECIALIZED

Brooklyn Latin is hosting a virtual open house: https://www.brooklynlatin.org/apps/news/show_news.jsp?REC_ID=928674&id=0

Thur, 10/10 from 6:30 to 8pm

High School for Math, Science, and Engineering is hosting 2 in person open houses. Click here to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/the-high-school-for-math-science-and-engineering-92367909803

Wed, 10/16 Session 1 from 4:30 to 6pm, session 2 from 6:30 to 8pm


TOURING: Brooklyn Latin, Stuyvesant

Brooklyn Latin doesn’t have an open house date set yet, but does has a virtual open house interest form for you to fill out: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfHKcHIh16w_hPwbPZMjOFxoHtHudfCyDoKJptFLOIyvAyJew/viewform

Stuyvesant is hosting in person houses, based on borough. Click here to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf4uqfTjNp4N9WCYMdzRf6BGDztHeXfR2rz19l1j_aDEkqaIw/viewform

October 16, 2024 (For residents of Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island) 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm

October 17, 2024 (For residents of Manhattan and Brooklyn) 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm

timing and touring and random lottery numbers

First, touring. As you can see, every school handles touring differently, from when they announce, to how they share info, how many they host, whether in person or virtual or both, if sign ups required or not . . . there are endless variables. And, schools are still figuring things out post Covid. Before Covid there was no virtual touring. Now some schools are choosing to do only that instead of opening their doors for in person options. Lab and Millennium are 2 who’ve gone straight up virtual. Beacon did only virtual the last couple of years - they haven’t announced what they’re doing this year yet. 

All this to say - touring is messy:

A bunch of schools are hosting events the day of in person SHSATs. 

One of the specialized schools (Queens HS for the Sciences) has most of their open houses after registration closes and one date listed is wrong. 

Some schools (Brooklyn Millennium, Frank Sinatra, and LaG so far) have touring info on their calendars but haven’t officially announced them yet.

There is plenty of outdated info out there or registrations to dead links from last season. 

Occasionally schools will rise to the occasion and add more options to meet demand. Last year Millennium added more dates later in the fall and the Bards added student led tours at both Manhattan and Queens. 

It’s been a few seasons since I’ve seen things filling up so quickly and “selling out.” If there’s a school you definitely want to see, I’d suggest monitoring that/those websites so you can pounce on things in the moment. I get info out as fast as I can but there are lots of families out there searching for info. 

Random lottery numbers. The DOE hasn’t announced when random lottery numbers will be released. Last season they were shared, in MySchools on your profile page, a couple of days after applications went live in early October. 

TOURING: Aviation HS, Brooklyn Arts, Edward R. Murrow, Humanities Prep, Millennium, Brooklyn Latin (sort of)

Whew, Millennium zooms are already booked. If this is a schools you want to check out I’d suggest checking their website regularly to increase your chances—there are tons of families out there ready to pounce on spots. Note: they announced additional dates later in the season last year. They didn’t do any in person touring.

Aviation High School is hosting in person open houses. Click here to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1-ui-C_aolVWjzfTYtalRrf9EINqtINxYk04uLl54pTw/viewform?edit_requested=true

Sat, 10/26 from 9-10am

Sat, 11/16 from 9-10am

Brooklyn Artsis hosting an in person open house. Click here for more info: https://www.brooklynartshs.nyc/auditionsenrollment.html

Wed, 10/30 at 6pm

They also host tours on Tuesday mornings at 9:15am. Email enrollment@brooklynartshs.nyc with two potential dates to book a tour.

Edward R. Murrowis hosting zoom and in person info sessions. Click here for more info and to register: https://www.ermurrowhs.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=2088515&type=d&pREC_ID=2136537

Wed, 10/30 zoom info session for screened programs at 6pm

Wed, 11/6 in person open house at 6pm

Humanities Prepis hosting in person open houses. Click here for their calendar: https://www.humanitiesprep.org/apps/events/2024/10/?id=0

Thur, 10/17 from 6-7:30pm

Wed, 10/23 from 4:30-6pm

Millennium is hosting 3 virtual open houses. Click here to register: https://www.schoolbookings.net/bE1CrPf/step1

Wed, 9/25 at 4pm

Wed, 10/2 at 4pm

Wed, 10/9 at 4pm

SPECIALIZED

Brooklyn Latin has a form where you can sign up for a virtual open house but no date is posted. That’s a bit messy: https://www.brooklynlatin.org/apps/news/show_news.jsp?REC_ID=928674&id=0

where to find touring info on the HS411 website

There are several places in the members section of the HS411 website where you can keep track of touring info.

1. Spreadsheet of current tours, etc: an alphabetical list of schools I track, in person/virtual tour dates, and links to sign up to register if necessary.

2. Important dates: where every touring opportunity is listed in chronological order with sign up info included. 

3. Calendar: all the above information in a calendar form

4: Previously sent emails: you can search back through all emails I’ve sent to track down info

TOURING: Lab, Landmark, NYC iSchool, Richard R. Green, Williamsburg HS Architecture and Design, SPECIALIZED: Bronx Science, High School of American Studies, Queens HS for the Sciences

As you can see just from the info below, every school has its own way of “opening their doors.” Some schools are doing only in person, some only virtual, some a hybrid. Suggestion: if a school says to check back for zoom links, make sure you make a note of that.

NOTE: Manhattan Hunter Sciences generally doesn’t offer any touring options at all, instead they encourage families to check out info on their website. 

Lab is hosting a virtual open house. Click here to register: https://www.nyclabschool.org/

Tues, 10/1 from 6-7pm

Landmark High Schoolis hosting virtual and in person touring. Click here for more info: https://www.landmarkhs.org/admissions

 In person Open House and Tour

Thursday September 26 5pm

Tuesday Oct 1 6pm

Wednesday October 9 1:30 pm 

Saturday October 19 11:00 am 

Saturday November 16 11:00 am 

Thursday November 21 5pm  

Virtual

Tuesday October 8  5:15pm

Tuesday October 8 Special Education  6 pm

Tuesday October 29  5:15pm

Tuesday October 29 Special Education  6 pm

Monday December 2 5:30pm

Tuesday December 3  5:30pm

NYC iSchool is hosting both zoom and in person open houses. Click here to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfVttTuPLa1s5-EU2bKQKsd2vydrYf2EVhageVlybDpqAqPtA/viewform?pli=1

ON ZOOM

Thursday, October 10 from 6:30-7:30 PM

Tuesday, October 15th from 6:30-7:30 PM

IN PERSON

Saturday, October 26th from 10-11 AM

Saturday, October 26th from 11 AM-12 PM

Saturday, October 26th from 12-1 PM

Saturday, October 26th from 1-2 PM

Thursday, November 14th from 6:30-7:30 PM

Richard R. Green is hosting in person tours. Click here for RSVP info: https://www.rrghst.org/

Tues, 10/1 at 3pm

Tues, 10/15 at 3pm

Tues, 11/12 at 3pm

Tues, 11/26 at 3pm

Williamsburg High School for Architecture and Designis hosting in person and virtual open houses. Click here to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScNZwboU0uduvBWuoTjCCI4HIzq8-el1Xf3cMygUuYqPsmliQ/viewform

In-Person:

    • Saturday – September 28th at 10:30 AM

    • Tuesday – October 1st at 5:30 PM

    • Thursday – October 17th at 5:30 PM

    • Saturday – October 26th at 10:30 AM

    • Tuesday – October 29th at 5:30 PM

    • Thursday – November 7th at 5:30 PM

    • Saturday – November 23rd at 10:30 AM

    • Tuesday – November 26th at 5:30 PM

Virtual:

    • Monday – September 30th at 5:30 PM

    • Thursday – October 10th at 5:30 PM

    • Wednesday – October 23rd at 5:30 PM

    • Saturday – November 16th at 10:30 AM

SPECIALIZED

Bronx Science is hosting an in person open house. Click here to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSftnnEhjjb4DBvDoLvcuCOq5VMSsa7AYPDCgFDYovxrbnL82g/viewform

10/15 from 5-7pm

High School of American Studiesis hosting an unperson open house. For more info: https://hsas-lehman.org/

Thurs, 10/24 at 5:30pm

Queens High School for the Sciences is hosting both in person and virtual open houses. Click here for more info: https://qhss.org/open-house-350/

In person: 

Thursday, October 17 5:00PM - 7:00PM

Tuesday, October 19 5:00PM-7:00PM

Tuesday, October 22 5:00PM - 7:00PM 

Thursday, October 24 5:00PM - 7:00PM

Virtual: 

Wednesday, October 16 5:00PM-6:30PM

Wednesday, October 23 5:00PM - 6:30PM

Bard assessment changes on the way To: Elissa HS411 <elissa@highschool411nyc.com>

Bard Manhattan posted (see screen shot below) that they’re going back to in person assessments this season: https://bhsec.bard.edu/manhattan/admission/assessment/

The past few seasons they’ve had an online assessment which included a humanities writing, STEM, writing, and a short video bio submission. Each of those counted as 30% of their admissions rubric with grades counting as the additional 10%. 

Before that the Bards hosted an in person test. Based on results, they then invited some students back for a follow up, in person interview. They didn’t share their admissions rubric. 

Info to come about how assessments will work this season.

Note: you only need to do the Bard assessment once. It will be used for admissions to all Bards. 

Another note: I track touring info for Bard Manhattan and Bard Queens. There are also Bards in the Bronx and Brooklyn which give priority to students based on districts.

Bard Bronx: 

Residents of District 7 will be prioritized for 20% of seats.

Residents of District 9 will be prioritized for 20% of seats.

Residents of District 12 will be prioritized for 20% of seats.

Residents of District 8 will be prioritized for 10% of seats.

Residents of District 10 will be prioritized for 10% of seats.

Residents of District 11 will be prioritized for 10% of seats.

Then New York City residents will be considered for remaining seats.

Bard Brooklyn: 

Priority to District 19 and 23 students or residents for up to 40% of seats.

Priority to District 16, 17, 18, and 32 students or residents for up to 40% of seats.

Priority to District 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, and 22 students or residents for up to 10% of seats.

Then New York City residents will be considered for remaining seats.

TOURING: Academy of American Studies, Art and Design, Bard Manhattan, Harbor School

Here we go! All this info will be posted on the HS411 website - touring spreadsheet, important dates, and calendar - by tomorrow. 

Academy of American Studies is hosting a slew of in person tours in October. For more info: http://www.academyofamericanstudies.com/tour_schedule  Click here to register: https://www.schoolbookings.net/bVpANMB/step1

Tours are on Tuesdays/Thursdays at 9:15am and Fridays at 1pm starting

They’re also hosting 2 in person open houses:

Thursdays, 11/7 and 11/14 from 6-7:30pm

Art and Design is hosting 3 in person open houses. Click here to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSceHbxZeUbb0T3_1uwlgF0XfXdGQuzmYSKU2mBaOK_wNReKTA/viewform

10/1 from 5-8pm, 10/24 from 5-8pm, 11/16 from 5-8pm

Bard Manhattan is hosting 2 in person open houses with 3 start times. Click here to register: https://bhsec.bard.edu/manhattan/admission/open-house-and-information-sessions/

Mon, 9/23 at 4:30, 5:30 and 6:30 

Tues, 10/15 at 4:30, 5:30 and 6:30pm

They’re also hosting zoom info sessions. Click here to register: https://bhsec.bard.edu/manhattan/admission/open-house-and-information-sessions/

Thurs, 10/10 from 5-6pm

Thurs, 11/7 from 5-6pm 

Harbor School is hosting in person open houses. Click here to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc1brmzl2eHQ6AkfbqFoQpMkGv6O9Od9G6E7Ktsgnd26xr5Vw/viewform

Tues, 10/8 at 3:30pm

Wed, 10/23 at 3:30pm

Tues, 11/12 at 3:30pm


thinking about scheduling school viewing options

As you’ll start to see, schools don’t take each other into consideration when setting up tours, open houses, and zoom calls. When things get going there will often be several options on a single day. 

Some advice: 

If possible perhaps hold off on too much touring before the SHSAT if your child is taking it. A lot of time could be spent in prep for the test and specialized open houses usually take place in the two weeks or so before the test itself. Side note - last year Stuyvesant hosted their open house after the SHSAT so fingers crossed this year works out with better timing.

Keep track of places you want to go on a calendar so you’re not booking more than one thing on the same day (I did that with both my kids). 

Note down all pertinent info. Take screen shots, jot things down. Some schools ask you to register and you’ll get replies back. Others have you register and you never hear from them again. Still others you just show up. 

Zooms can get wonky, even after all this time we’ve had perfecting zoom meetings. Some schools only host zoom open houses and those can fill up and people can’t get in. It’s a part of the process at the moment so if there’s something you want to see and you can sign up for, SIGN UP! 

Talk to your kids about the process. Ask what they think the places they’re visiting. Engage them when you can. Some kids are super into the process and others are ambivalent at best. That’s all pretty normal for this experience. 

where to find applicants per seat info and good back to school vibes

MySchools is a great resource tool to find out basic info and you don’t need to log in to do school searches. The high school search page is here: https://www.myschools.nyc/en/schools/high-school/?dbn=03M479

To find out info about applicants per seat (and much more), type a school name into the search bar. 

Once you get to a school’s age you’ll see this - I’m using Beacon as an example in the screen shots below. Keep scrolling down to the bottom of the page and you’ll see a blue star on the left with the school name next to it. Click on that to get admissions info including how many applicants per seat for both gen ed and SWD seats, any priority groups the school has, if they have diversity admissions in place, admissions method, and if they require any additional materials. 

You can also see this info in a chart form for the 60 or so schools I follow on the HS411 website, members section, SEATS, PRIORITIES and ADMISSIONS METHOD section

And hoping you guys all have good first days back at school. 

quick note about research vs ranking

Even though you might already be thinking about it, right now your focus doesn’t need to be on how to rank schools. You haven’t seen anything yet. You don’t have all pertinent information (screened groups and random lottery numbers) that could factor into your decisions. 

The next couple of months are about research and fact finding. Could be you’ll check out a school you assume you’ll love and turns out you don’t. Or you might be remarkably surprised at a place you end up holding in high regard. You might find your and your child's reactions to schools could very well be different than other people going through the process with you or people you know who’ve been through it before. Keep in mind you’re looking at these options specifically for your kid - not all schools are good fits for all students and what will be great for some might not be for yours. 

Once you’ve seen and/or researched a bunch of places, thinking about how to rank options on your application will make more sense. 

Note: it’s relatively easy to think of schools to be at the top of your application. You want to make sure you’re looking at schools that have less applicants per seat, meaning it’s easier to get an offer, to round things out. 


some quick thoughts about the start of the school year

Fall of 8th grade can get overwhelming. Along with school and homework and regular activities and such, as you’re seeing there will be lots of touring opportunities. There’s also SHSAT prep for those taking the test. Auditions to prepare for audition based programs if you’re exploring that route. Some screened schools ask for additional materials (essays, questions to answer, possibly interviews - will keep you posted as those are shared). 

My advice is to set up systems now so you don’t get overwhelmed in the middle of the season. Register for tours if necessary. Note all dates in a calendar or somewhere you’ll remember to check. 

Set up a place to keep any info schools hand out or any notes that you take. 

Think of questions can ask when exploring different schools - that can help you feel more engaged and a part of the process. I know I’ve sent this before but it can feel more relevant now that tours are upon us. Below is a tour log I put together as a jumping off point. You can use these questions and/or add others. 

Should you want to set up time to talk now, before we’re in the throws of things, you can sign up at the link below. And, as always, I’m here for questions and info.

Touring info: Millennium Brooklyn, Essex Street, Gramercy Arts, High School of Fashion Industries, NEST, Staten Island Tech

I’ve not seen this many schools post touring info before classes start. Here we go . . . and if you hear of anything or have questions - be in touch.

Essex Street is hosting in person tours and open houses. Click her for more info, to register: https://www.essexstreetacademy.org/admissions/

Tours will be held on Wednesdays from 9:30 to 10:30am on 9/25, 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23, 10/30, 11/6, 11/13, 11/20

Open houses will be help on Tuesdays from 6-7pm on 10/8, 10/22, 11/12

Gramercy Arts is hosting in person and virtual events. To register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScsgoPRpNsxrxGXhMFw3k5T_p91jyeXG_0Do2ayR-O6KlNFFg/viewform

In person: Saturday, October 19, 2024 @ 10 AM & Wednesday, November 6, 2024 @ 5 PM

virtual: Monday, November 25, 2024 @ 6:30 PM

High School of Fashion Industries is hosting in person tours. Click here to register: https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/953307484076/false#/invitation 

every Wednesday from 10/2 through 12/18, every half hour from 4 until 6:30.

Looks like Millennium Brooklyn (no links yet to sign up) is hosting in person and virtual open houses. Info is only on their calendar so far: https://www.millenniumbrooklynhs.org/apps/events/view_calendar.jsp?id=0&m=9&y=2024

in person: Tues, 10/8 at 6:30pm and Sat, 10/26 at 10am

virtual: Tues, 10/22 at 7pm

NEST is hosting a zoom tour and in person open houses. For more info: https://nestmk12.net/virtual_tours

virtual 

Wed, 10/16, 6-8pm

in person

Sun, 10/20 10am-2pm

Sat, 11/16, 10-am-2pm

Sun, 12/8, 10-am-2pm

SPECIALIZED

Staten Island Tech is hosting an in person open house. For more info: https://www.siths.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1554051&type=d&pREC_ID=2475531

Wed, 10/9 time not available yet

SOME NOTES!

There is outdated info posted on some websites so while it looks like current touring info has been posted, it’s from last year. Trick: check the day/date to double check or check in with me.

MySchools has some of the above on their high school events calendar but not all. 

I’ll have all these dates up on the HS411 website ASAP.

Eleanor Roosevelt and University Neighborhood fall touring info

First, it looks like lots of schools have touring info posted already but most of it is info from last year. That can get misleading so if you see something and have questions, be in touch. 

Also welcome to touring! This info will be posted on the HS411 website in 3 places: on the touring spreadsheet, on a calendar, and in important dates so you have a variety of ways to make sure you haven’t missed anything. 


Eleanor Roosevelt is on the ball and already has their fall touring info posted. Click here to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc4-HRm8QbPIFNMQSfysVGLjQnKDO9gYhwENyHFoaCAE-b8RA/viewform

In-Person on Wednesday, October 16th at 4:30pm, 5:30pm, and 6:30pm

In-Person on Wednesday, October 30th at 4:30pm, 5:30pm, 6:30pm

Virtual on Saturday, November 16th at 11am

University Neighborhoodhas info posted as well: For more info and to sign up: https://www.universityneighborhoodhighschool.org/apps/news/show_news.jsp?REC_ID=918783&id=0

To register for in person open houses:


Wednesday, October 16 (8:45 AM - 10:15 AM)

Saturday, October 19 (2:00 PM - 3:30 PM)

Saturday, October 19 (2:45 PM - 4:15 PM)

Wednesday, October 23 (8:45 AM - 10:15 AM)

Wednesday, October 30 (8:45 AM - 10:15 AM)

Wednesday, November 6 (8:45 AM - 10:15 AM)

Wednesday, November 20 (5:30 PM - 7:00 PM)

These are for zoom meetings:

Every week on Tue, until Nov 26, 2024, 8 occurrence(s)

        Oct 8, 2024 09:00 AM

        Oct 15, 2024 09:00 AM

        Oct 22, 2024 09:00 AM

        Oct 29, 2024 09:00 AM

        Nov 5, 2024 09:00 AM

        Nov 12, 2024 09:00 AM

        Nov 19, 2024 09:00 AM

        Nov 26, 2024 09:00 AM

To register:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdQ5NTfzxHISu5PWtNeZaTPdVTqb0MvyM2W1IJWQSzX3jfzeA/viewform


a possibly new DOE research tool for this season

The DOE is putting together a new tool to help families get a better sense of their possibility/probability of getting offers at schools. They haven’t yet said if it’ll be available this season. Will keep you updated as the story evolves.

https://www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2024/08/22/nyc-education-department-developing-tool-to-help-high-school-admissions/?utm_source=Chalkbeat&utm_campaign=17b5e9c231-New+York+NYC+Education+Department+developing+tool+&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_9091015053-17b5e9c231-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&mc_cid=17b5e9c231

things to think about as you think about touring schools this fall

I’m starting to see some high schools post about posting touring info in the near future. Whew. We’re getting closer to the starting line. 

I was talking to a rising 8th grade parent last week about possible questions to ask when touring and/or exploring different school options. When I went through the high school process the first time I was generally lost and had no idea what I should be considering. 

My second go round I put together a list of questions that at least would help us get a sense of what schools offered and also, once it was time to put together our application, would be an organized way of remembering which schools offered what - they could start to blend together at a certain point. This also helped keep my son engaged by giving a task and sense of purpose to touring. We’d generally stop off for a bite after tours and recap what we’d seen and learned. The 3 things at the bottom was to help make sure he was paying attention and it was really helpful when refreshing our memories at the end of the season.

You can absolutely print out the sheet and take it with you, jot answers on your phone, carry a notebook but I strongly suggest figuring out a way of tracking info so that when fall hits and touring starts, you’ll have a sense of a system. And the questions below are a jumping off point - think about what other issues might be relevant for your family. 

school name: 

number of students:

students per class:

commute:

neighborhood:

start time:

lockers:

outlunch:

admissions method:

languages offered:

AP courses offered:

academics:

IEP/accommodations support:

clubs/teams:

music/arts programs:

freshman support:

guidance/college office:

other observations:

3 things to remember (student input):


consortium schools

I mentioned consortium schools in my last email and wanted to share out more info. There are a bunch of consortium schools in the city. Beacon, Essex Street Academy, and School of the Future are some of the more well known. Something to keep in mind: the consortium based learning can be a terrific fit for some students but not others. Worth reading about to see if you think this model of education is a solid fit for your kid. Check the website for a list of all consortium schools and more info about this educational model.

From the consortium info website (http://www.performanceassessment.org/):

The Consortium Assessment System

In the Consortium’s performance assessment system, assessment tasks grow out of the work of the classroom.  They are not imposed on curriculum, a process that inevitably leads to teaching-to-the-test. Tasks become possibilities for assessment only after students and teachers have studied the material, discussed and debated it, and subjected it to their questions and writing. 

Out of this engagement and the relationships it develops in the classroom, both teacher and student become the creators of the task and take ownership of it. 

The foundation of the Consortium assessment system, making it distinct from even other systems currently labeled performance assessment, is the professionalism of its teachers and the opportunity for student voice and choice. 

None of these vital components is possible in an assessment system that is pre-packaged, top-down, standardized, and unresponsive to the dynamic life of the classroom.

Our Approach To Performance Assessment

The assessment process begins with students’ enrollment. Our schools’ literacy-based culture focuses on extensive reading, writing, and discussion across content areas in every grade, building towards the graduation-level performance-based assessment tasks, known as PBATs.  All Consortium students prepare PBAT papers and oral presentations:

  • Analytic essays on literature

  • Social studies research papers

  • Lab reports of original science experiments or engineering designs

  • Narratives of the process and solution of mathematical problem solving

  • Individual schools also add tasks in the arts, art criticism, World Language, internship, or other areas.

Graduation-level PBATs are evaluated by external assessors using Consortium rubrics for both writing and oral presentations. In addition, a series of interim assessments, roundtables, classroom argumentation based on content and evidence, creative and first-person writing, and hands-on projects all prepare students for their final PBATs.  

Consortium teachers commit to the many layers of work and collaboration required to support performance assessment. They design challenging curricula and tasks, respond to student interests and needs, develop and revise rubrics, and participate in Consortium and school-based professional development. Collaboration is extensive, from observing each other’s classrooms, to serving as external evaluators, sharing curriculum, and evaluating each other’s assignments and student work at bi-annual moderation studies. The professionals who participate in Consortium schools share a unique role in the ongoing history of education in the U.S.

reputation vs reality

As we head towards the start of the school year and the kick off of the high school search season I want to share a bit of advice about touring and searching for good fit schools for your kids. 

There are many programs and schools out there. There are also many people with lots of opinions about them and those opinions can be based on personal experience and/or rumor. I suggest you take those points of view with a grain of salt and focus on your research, your child and your gut about the places you check out. Keep in mind what’s best for your child isn’t necessarily what other people are looking for. It can be challenging for both parents and kids to hold onto that thought as the season progresses and so many have so much to say, which often can often subjective and negative. 

A couple of quick personal notes:

Back in the day I was on the line for a Beacon open house (note: the last few years they’ve only offered zoom touring) and a mom was talking about how the day before police stormed the lunchroom at Brooklyn Tech and arrested several kids. I was PTA president of Tech back then and knew that wasn’t true, hadn’t happened, and I reiterated that to the parents who had been listening but who knows how many people took away the thought that Tech was a drug haven.

I also went into the process assuming Beacon was the place for both my kids: very creative, good size, variety of classes, wonderful reputation. But after touring both my kids said it wasn’t for them. We discovered they were both traditional learners and Beacon is a consortium school (different educational model that I’ll share more on later). If we hadn’t been on the tour and delved deeper into reality vs reputation, they could have ended up at a school that wasn’t a good fit for them.