Call 718-246-7900 ext. 343 for more information on the high school selection process and to find out about schools that may interest you or your student!

Research and Preparation:

• Families: Play an active role in this application process with your child!
• Remember that the grades that are considered when determining eligibility for any of these programs are the seventh grade scores only. Also note that attendance and lateness records are often considered by schools as they make their selections.
• Pay special attention to the eligiblity requirements and priority given for each school in which you are interested. This information can be found in the High School Directory.
• Know whether the high schools you chose are located on a larger campuses.
• Understand the academic and extracurricular programs that each school offers.
• Attend open houses, information sessions, and other events. ***This is especially important if you want to go to a new small school, since data (scores, graduation rate, etc.) for these schools may not be available yet.
• Attend the City Wide Fair, which will host all NYC Public High Schools on September 16th and 17th at Brooklyn Technical High School. Also be sure to attend the Borough High School Fairs on October 21st and 22nd. You can find information on these fairs on our calendar of events.
• If you are applying to a Specialized High School, you and your family should review which specialized schools you are applying to and how you wish to rank them. You should be prepared to rank your choices on the day of the SHSAT, so it's important to have talked about your choices before you take the exam.
• Set up tours at your top choice schools.
• Visit your Regional Learning Support Center for more information.

Applying:

• You can list up to 12 programs on the High School Choice Form. Select as many programs as possible that meet your needs and interests to maximize your chance of a match to one of your selections.
• Be willing to attend any of the 12 choices you list on your application.
  Do not select any schools that you would not consider attending (or sending your student to).

• Understand the level of competition for admission to each of your choices. This information is provided by the DOE in the High School Directory.
• Be sure to double-check all of the pre-printed information (such as address and grades) on the application form.
• For many screened programs, lateness and attendance can be a deciding factor for schools deciding whether or not to admit a student. Lateness and attendance records are taken only from the 7th grade year. If you or your student is in the 7th grade or will be entering 7th grade, this is the year to make sure students attend class and are on time!
• Do not plan to rely on the appeals process for a change in school assignment once the application process has been completed. The Department of Education will only review those cases that meet the defined criteria (see Appeals section).

Sections of this website have been taken directly from the New York City Department of Education website*