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GoCPS APPLICATION PROCESS

Choice School Application Process
Choice programs give students the opportunity to apply to high school programs outside of their assigned neighborhood program. Depending on the program, students may be selected through a computerized lottery or a points-based selection process.
 
    • Students may apply to up to 20 Choice programs.
    • Choice programs should be ranked in the student’s true order of preference, beginning with the program they would most like to attend.
    • The GoCPS selection process is designed to provide the student with their highest-ranked Choice offer for which they are eligible and a seat is available.
    • Eligibility requirements vary by program and may include grades, HSAT scores, auditions, portfolio reviews, or other program-specific criteria.
    • Some Choice programs use priority preferences, such as sibling, staff, or proximity priority. Not every program uses these preferences.
    • A student’s address tier may also be considered by certain programs.
    • Families should review each program’s CPS School Search profile for its specific eligibility requirements, selection process, and available priorities.
 
Important: Choice and Selective Enrollment programs are ranked separately. Students should rank programs based on where they truly want to attend rather than trying to predict where they are most likely to receive an offer.
 
Selective Enrollment School Application Process
Selective Enrollment High Schools use a competitive points-based admissions process. Students are considered using their final 7th-grade grades and High School Admissions Test (HSAT) results.
Students may apply to up to 6 Selective Enrollment programs.
 
    • Students should rank their Selective Enrollment choices in their true order of preference.
    • The HSAT is required for students applying to Selective Enrollment High Schools.
    • Current CPS students take the HSAT at their school during the fall of 8th grade.
    • Selective Enrollment scoring is based equally on 7th-grade grades and HSAT performance.
    • Students can earn up to 640 total points:
      320 points from final 7th-grade grades
      320 points from the HSAT
    • The 7th-grade grades used in the admissions process are from the student’s official transcript in Reading, Math, Science, and Social Science.
    • Selective Enrollment programs do not use sibling, staff, or proximity preferences.
    • A student’s address tier is included in the Selective Enrollment selection process.
    • Available seats, total points, program ranking, and address tier are considered when offers are determined.
 
Selective Enrollment High Schools:
  • Brooks College Prep
  • Hancock College Prep
  • Jones College Prep
  • King College Prep
  • Lane Tech College Prep
  • Lindblom Math & Science Academy
  • Northside College Prep
  • Walter Payton College Prep
  • South Shore International College Prep
  • Westinghouse College Prep
  • Whitney M. Young Magnet High School