top of page

High School Admissions Process


This organization is dedicated to making the high school admissions process as understandable and straightforward as possible. We know that it can often be difficult to keep track of the admissions process. YHSSS hopes to simplify this process by explaining each step of the admissions process in detail. We will provide examples of several high schools that use the following methods of admissions. We hope to translate our resources into several languages in the future so our material is understandable for all!

unnamed (6).jpg

TYPES OF HIGH SCHOOLS
 

Ed Opt

Ed Opt. stands for education option. This is a program provided by some high schools that ensure students that are at varying academic levels are accepted. Depending on your past ELA test scores, students are categorized into three groups, high, middle, and low. 16% of students are placed in high, 68% are placed in the middle, and 16% are placed in low. Half of the students who are qualified for Ed Opt.  Approximately â…“ percent of applicants who apply to that high school are in one of the three groups. Acceptance is randomly selected from each group. If the high school uses admissions priorities, then all students who score in the top 2% of students in the city on their last ELA reading exam, are guaranteed to have an offer from that program. 

Because of Covid, many students were unable to take the 7th grade ELA standardized test. The admissions process has slightly changed. Schools will be using an overall average of students’ past grades on core subjects; English, science, math, and social studies. New areas that schools will look at include: 

  • Average of students' final course grades from 2018-2019

  • Average of students marking period grades from fall 2019 to Feb 2020. 

  • Standardized test scores from spring 2019. 

 

Also, this year schools have the option to switch from Screened/Unscreened to Ed Opt due to Covid.

Screened Language/ Academics

Certain schools/programs require you to be fluent in a specific language such as your home language, years living in the US. Programs can be based on English Language Learner services entitlement. Schools can utilize academic records to make offers and ranks.

Percent of audition method admission in each borough :

  1. Bronx: 14%

  2. Brooklyn: 5%

  3. Manhattan: 5% (Screened Language/Academic)

  4. Manhattan: 5% (Screened Language)

  5. Queens: 5%

  6. Staten Island:0%

Screened

This method is quite similar to Ed Opt except it doesn’t include the percentages/chances. For screened schools, they will consider different academic aspects such as attendance, grades, test scores. Before applying to the screened schools look over your 7th-grade report card and match it to the requirements of your school. 

​

*Sometimes high schools will want you to do interviews, essays, or teacher recommendations.

Percent of screened method admission in each borough 

  1. Bronx: 10%

  2. Brooklyn: 19%

  3. Manhattan: 23%

  4. Queens: 26%

  5. Staten Island: 22%

 

Exemplary schools that used the screened method: Manhattan Hunter Science High School

 

This is an early college high school and they require you to do an essay for admissions. This is the prompt enlisted on their website:

 

Writing prompt: In 250 words or less, describe yourself as a student, as well as what interests you in attending a rigorous early college high school, which includes a senior year experience. 

​

Visit the website by going to the following website:

https://www.mhshs.org/application-information

Audition

This method is similar to screened except students are required to make portfolios or do a performance.  Some schools require you to submit final report grade grades, attendance, or test scores(if applicable). Certain schools have an option for you to do multiple programs

Percent of audition method admission in each borough 

Bronx: 6%

Brooklyn: 8%

Manhattan: 20%

Queens: 8%

Staten Island: 7%

​

Exemplary schools that used the screened method: Frank Sinatra School of Arts 

​

Here are the Art program requirements from their website (they have more art-based programs):

I. Portfolio Upload - photographs of 3 to 6 pieces of original artwork that includes the following:

1. A self-portrait, done from observation (from observation means you draw yourself by looking in a mirror). 

2. A still life, done from observation (from observation means you draw objects placed before you on a table). 

3. You may choose the remaining 1 to 4 pieces you wish to include. Pieces can be created using any material in any form and may be two-dimensional or three-dimensional. â€‹

Transfer

Percent of audition method admission in each borough :

  1. Bronx: 14%

  2. Brooklyn: 5%

  3. Manhattan: 5% (Screened Language/Academic)

  4. Manhattan: 5% (Screened Language)

  5. Queens: 5%

  6. Staten Island:0%

*The transfer highschool method requires a student’s date of birth and sometimes academic requirements. 

Zoned

The zoned high school method depends on a student's geographic area for admission. Admission is guaranteed therefore if you choose to put a zoned high school onto your list, it doesn’t matter which place you put it, you will be admitted if no other highschool admits you.

Percent of audition method admission in each borough :

  1. Bronx: 1%

  2. Brooklyn: 3%

  3. Manhattan: 0%

  4. Queens: 9%

  5. Staten Island: 9%

Open Admissions

To be admitted into open admissions school you just need to list the school. The offers are made to students according to their priority group and randomly assigned number.

Percent of audition method admission in each borough :

  1. Bronx: 6%

  2. Brooklyn: 9%

  3. Manhattan: 5%

  4. Queens: 5%

  5. Staten Island: 12%

Examination


Percent of examination required for each borough :

  • Bronx: 1%

  • Brooklyn: 1% 

  • Manhattan: 1%

  • Queens: 1%

  • Staten Island: 2%

Some schools may require their own assessments and test such as BARD Early College High School. Shortly we will be posting about the high school in our interview section (Assessment – Bard High School Early College Manhattan). Their online assessment due date is March 1, 2021). Here are the sections listed on their site.

              a. Humanities Response - 30%

              b. STEM Response - 30%

              c. Video Response - 30%

              d. 2019-20 Marking period Grades - 10%

​

To get admitted into specialized High Schools you will need to take the SHSAT exam. 

*To learn more visit our SHSAT page.

 

​

bottom of page