6 minute read
Taking an Interest Inventory
from High School Guide
Introduction
This guide is designed to give you an overview of the many excellent high schools available to New York City students, including SHSAT, arts-focused, screened public, independent/private, Catholic parochial, all-girls and all-boys and boarding schools. All of the schools featured in this guide offer a strong, college preparatory education. Nevertheless, this guide is not designed to be comprehensive. It does not feature all the strong schools in New York City. Use this guide as a starting point for your search for a high school, and expand your search from there. Along the way, the guide will prompt you to reflect on your or your child’s strengths, interests and goals.
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Chapter 1: Finding A School...........................................1 Taking an Interest Inventory..........................7
Chapter 2: The Learning Environment........................16
Chapter 3: Specialized High Schools.............................25
Chapter 4: Performing and Visual Arts High Schools....41
Chapter 5: Screened Public High Schools.....................49 Diversity in Admissions Pilot Schools....64
Chapter 6: Other Co-Ed Schools....................................72
Chapter 7: All-Girls Schools............................................77
Chapter 8: All-Boys Schools.............................................83
Chapter 9: Boarding Schools.............................................89
Chapter 10: Things To Keep in Mind Once You’re In......99
Appendix: Worksheets for Admissions.............................102
Chapter 1
FINDING A SCHOOL
If your child is in the 7th grade, it is time to begin the High School Admissions Process. New York City and the areas around it have a large assortment of high schools. Some of the best high schools in the world are right here in our city. Some are public, some are private, some are parochial and some are boarding schools. To select the perfect school for your child, it is important to learn about the options available. This guide is designed to help you do just that.
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR CHILD
❖ What interests you? ❖ What hobbies would you like to develop---that you have not had a chance to develop yet? ❖ How hard are you willing to work? ❖ What might you like to do as a career? ❖ Think about the times you most enjoyed school. What were you doing? ❖ Would you prefer a co-ed school or a girls only/boys only school? ❖ How important are sports to you? SECTION 1
All About Your Child
The best way to begin the high school admissions process is to have an enjoyable conversation with your child about their interests, ambitions, dreams and goals. Middle school is a time of rapid change. Students at this age are beginning to identify hobbies, sports or subjects that may become life-long passions. In many cases, your child may have interests that they have not yet had a chance to explore. High school is the perfect opportunity to develop skills in subjects, sports and arts that your child finds fascinating. So the first step is to facilitate an openended conversation with your child about their preferences and interests. You may be surprised at what you learn! Of course, most 7th graders will be unaware of the full range of opportunities available to them in high school. The pages that follow are designed to acquaint your child with the breadth of academic subjects, extracurricular activities, sports and arts that high schools offer. Encourage your child to make a note of or circle anything that intrigues them. Then, you can begin to look for a school that meets your child’s needs and wants.
This provides an overview of the admissions process. Please note that specific deadlines for individual schools will come to you from your Guidance Counselor.
MONTH ACTION ITEMS
June 2022
June 2022
Summer 2022
September-October 2022
Peruse and discuss this guide with your child. Do not worry about admissions details. Focus instead on shopping for the perfect school for your child from the amazing range of options.
Focus on between 5 to 10 schools. Attend Open Days/Nights. Call the schools and talk to parent coordinators. Try to get “first-hand” knowledge of each school by talking with current or recent parents and students. Fine tune your school list based on what you learn.
Make sure your child is crystal clear about their school's expectations for summer reading and summer homework.
If your child is interested in SHSAT/TACHS/HSPT schools, have a summer plan in place for test prep.
Follow through on test prep if applicable for your child. Your child should also work on developing skill at a hobby. Ensure that your child reads for 30 minutes each day and completes their summer work. Revisit this guide with your child and compile a list of schools.
Meet with your Guidance Counselor. Discuss the list of schools your child is interested in. Ask for additional recommendations. Identify "reach", "likely" and "safety" school options. Attend the Citywide High School Fair.
Please note that specific deadlines for individual schools will come to you from your Guidance Counselor.
MONTH
September-October 2022
October-November 2022
Fall 2022
December 2022
January-February 2023
Spring 2023
March- April 2023
ACTION ITEMS
Attend the Citywide High School Fair. Attend Open Houses. Register for standardized exams: SHSAT, SSAT, TACHS, HSPT
Schedule private school tours and interviews. Request teacher recommendations. Apply for Financial Aid if needed.
Work hard in school. Aim for perfect attendance. Remember: it's not just your grades that matter to high schools. It's also what your teachers say about you. So be courteous and hard-working in class!
Most private school and parochial school applications will be completed.
Complete all school applications. Be sure to thank all teachers and counselors who helped you.
Keep your grades up. Many schools request transcripts from the Winter and Spring terms. They may also use these grades to place you in Honors classes...or not. So work hard!
Most schools will issue acceptances at this time.
Modern Biology
Research Biology Advanced Topics in Biology and Research Techniques Molecular Biology Biological Lab Techniques Laboratory Techniques Vertebrate Zoology Anthropology and Sociobiology Forensic Science Fundamentals of Nutritional Science Genetics Research Hospital Internship Human Diseases Medical Diagnosis Medical Ethics Medical Human Genetics Medical Human Physiology Molecular Genetics Molecular Science Molecular Basis of Cancer Practical Botany Topics in Neurobiology Veterinary Medical Diagnosis
Environmental and Geo-Science Courses
Environmental Studies Geology Meteorology Oceanography Urban Ecology
AP Biology AP Environmental Science AP Psychology Intel Research: Biology/Psychology Intel Senior Research
Chemistry and Physics
Chemistry 1 and 2 Research Chemistry AP Chemistry Advanced Topics in Chemistry Chemical Applications Organic Chemistry I and II Physical Chemistry Analytical Chemistry Intel Research: Chemistry
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Introductory Computer Programming Intro to Computer Science AP Computer Science System Level Programming Computer Graphics Software Development Computer Science Intel Research
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Music Appreciation Concert Chorus Chamber Choir Symphonic Band Beginning Wind/Brass Instruments Intermediate Wind/Brass Instruments Advanced Wind/Brass Instruments Symphony Orchestra Intermediate String Instruments Advanced String Instruments Jazz Band Opera as Drama Songwriting AP Music Theory
Art
Acrylic Painting Computer Graphics Design Intro to Sculpture Studio Art: Mixed Media Water Color
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Global History AP World History AP European History US History AP US History American Government Economics AP American Government AP Comparative Government
