HIGH SCHOOL APPLICATION PROCESS

For Parents of 7th & 8th Graders

The information below should help guide you throught the high school application process.(As you may have experienced yourself, it is hard to access all the information regarding admission to the Philadelphia School District's Special Admissions Schools as early as we might like to have it. But rest assured, all the pieces will fall into place in the next week or two.) Judith Parker, our high school counselor, will help shepherd you through the high school selection process.

General Guidelines:

• In order to track the many pieces of paperwork involved in this process, ALL
  application paperwork must go through Robin Horne in the front office. Please do
  not give forms directly to teachers or advisors.
• Judith Parker writes all recommendations in consultation with advisors and teachers.
• For an up-to-date schedule of events, check our website.

General Timetable:

MAY of 7th grade:

Students take ERBs at TPS.  The public schools are now accepting ERB scores instead of
requiring their own testing, so the ERBs will now “count” for more than was previously true.  

SUMMER before 8th grade:

There is nothing you are required to do in the summer except relax.  Some students may take the SSATs or ISEEs for practice in the summer.  Students who take the test in the summer will be scored according to 7th graders, rather than 8th graders.  However, many high schools will require scores from a test taken in the fall.  Taking it in the summer is a matter of choice and how much practice you think your child needs.  

You can also start looking at the websites of schools to get an initial sense of the place.  

SEPTEMBER of 8th grade: 

Make plans to attend TPS High School Night on October 2 at 7:15 p.m. to hear presentations by local schools (a list of those attending is on our website). Application packets will be available, along with SSAT registration forms. Eighth graders applying to private schools may need to take the SSATs (www.ssat.org) or ISEEs (http://www.erbtest.org/parents/admissions/isee). Each high school will specify what testing is preferred. Visit the test website for registration information. Students usually need to take the tests in the late fall. Students may take a test more than once, if necessary.

To find out more information about a school, plan to attend its open house or expo. For private high schools, check their websites or call to find out when their open houses are offered and make reservations at those schools in which you’re interested. For public high schools, plan to attend the High School Expo at Temple University's Liacouras Center on October 26 - 28, 2007.

After selecting several schools to which you want to apply, schedule student visits. Check dates with your child’s advisor. Conference days are excellent days for your child to schedule visits. Students can pick up application packets during their visits.

When you have decided to apply to a school, please turn in signed requests for records and recommendations to Robin Horne in the front office.

OCTOBER: 

Come to High School Night on October 2 at 7:15 p.m. Attend day-time presentations at TPS by representatives from area high schools.  Parents are strongly encouraged attend any and all of these visits. Check our website (www.tpschool.org) for list of specific schools and dates.

Once you have decided which private schools you wish to apply to, complete the required paperwork.  Send the family and student portion of the applications directly to the high schools, and sign and give Robin Horne the requests for transcripts and recommendations.

Philadelphia public school application forms are due November 16. Fill in the application form (available from our front office or from your local public school) and then turn it in to Robin Horne in the front office by October 22.

Attend the High School Expo at Temple University’s Liacouras Center on October 26 - 28, 2007.

NOVEMBER:

Philadelphia public school application forms are sent to the School District by November 16.

Students’ high school visits continue. (Please vary the days of school visits – for example, do not just go on Mondays.  And it is important that students do not miss Shelly Ridge days more than once or twice in the fall.)

Once you have decided which private schools to which you want to apply, complete the required paperwork. (See October for other information.)

DECEMBER:

Make sure all requests for recommendations and transcripts for independent schools are complete and submitted to Robin Horne by December 3. Keep track of high school  application deadlines.

JANUARY:

Relax.

FEBRUARY: 

Students may begin to hear from private high schools regarding acceptances. There may be visiting days for accepted students.

MARCH: 

Private schools announce acceptances. There may be visiting days for accepted students.

 APRIL: 

Public schools announce acceptances.  There may be visiting days for accepted students.