Featuring information about how to navigate the top high school admissions process and what parents can do to ensure their children gain access to NYC’s elite public schools
SHSAT Results By Race: 2019 - 2023
The moment we have all been waiting for happened in the second week of May 2024. The Department of Education (DOE) released the results of the 2023 SHSAT and there are some important insights to note. The unfortunate reality is that the outcomes for students from marginalized communities have gotten worse after the global pandemic. On all counts, the educational foundation of these students suffered tremendously which impacted performance on the SHSAT. We stand on the fact that the results will remain the same until appropriate action is taken to address the root cause of the issue: restore gifted and talented education to every school district and provide high quality test prep to all students who qualify. Here are the 2023 admissions results. We have included 2022 as well so you can make an appropriate comparison.
Here are the stats you need to know: In 2021, 3.6 percent of offers to attend the city's eight Specialized High Schools went to black students (down from 4.5% in 2020) and 5.4 percent of the offers went to Hispanic students (down from 6.6% in 2019). While these percentages don’t equate to significant changes in the number of students placing, it is still important to note the decrease. Please note that these numbers do not include the offers extended to the Discovery Program.
For anyone who is asking why this is a big deal, let me explain. Black and latinx students comprise almost 70 percent of students in the NYC public school system yet only 10% of the seats offered at Specialized High Schools. These results are a glaring display of the educational inequities running rampant through our system as well as the need to invest in test prep companies like AdmissionSquad to help rebuild and preserve the talent pipeline. There are also 43,000 fewer students enrolled in New York City’s public schools this year: a 4% decrease which further highlights the challenges we face.
We believe that this target population has the ability to gain admission into these highly sought after high schools as long as a concerted effort is made to:
Close the information gap causing students from this population to miss out on the opportunity to attend a Specialized High School
Provide high-quality test prep to as many highly motivated, deserving students as possible starting from 3rd grade
By addressing these two critical factors, NYC stands to gain access to a talent pipeline that has been overlooked for the past two decades. Believe it or not, there are many parents, grandparents, guidance counselors, teachers, youth ministry leaders, family members, etc. in black and brown communities that know very little about the city's Specialized High Schools and what it really takes to get in. More importantly, the middle schoolers oftentimes cannot see themselves in these schools because of the lack of diversity. I challenge all of us to come together to train our children to become competitive and create a more inclusive environment in the Specialized High Schools. With increased awareness, academic enrichment, access to rigorous test prep and long-term support, these students can secure a seat on the Education to Wealth Pipeline.
Our work continues! See below for a comparison between 2019 and 2020.
Spring SHSAT In-Person Cohort
For 2024, we are making a slow transition to in-person programming. We know in-person classes are more effective so we will try our best to share some data along our journey. This data is for 16 students who attend our Saturday in-person program. There is a mix of 6th and 7th graders for this group. Half the group attends private schools while the other half attend public school. Ms. Tai is the lead teacher and we also have Chikamara Amadi, an AdmissionSquad alum who is currently in college, as an intern/teacher’s assistant. Students attend class from 10am - 2pm and have a 30 minute break for pizza from 12-12:30pm.
For half of the four month program, we start with math and the other half we start with ELA. The data below shows the progress of this cohort over the course of two months of prep. Students began classes in the beginning of February with an initial diagnostic and have taken their midpoint assessment at the end of March. We follow up with parents regarding recommendations on how to move forward.
Here are our key takeaways:
11 out of 16 students took the midpoint exam
5 absences (3 of which were 6th graders so not as high stakes)
3 - 6th graders took the exam: 2 students saw an improvement in their score and 1 saw a decline in their ELA but improvement in math
8 - 7th graders took the exam: 5 students saw an improvement in their score and 3 saw a decline in their performance
The first exam was in person and paper based, the second exam with virtual
STEAM Programs for Middle School Students
STEAM is one of the most important skills needed to thrive in the 21st century. We have curated a list of programs that can eb helpful to your child. Check them out and let us know how it goes. Many programs aim to increase access to high-quality learning experiences, STEM-focused higher education and related careers.
NYU has a wonderful STEM program to support middle schools and high schoolers on their journey to mastering STEM.
Go-to Questions to Ask at Open Houses
For Administrators:
How many students with my stats (Tier, lottery, SWD, ets. ) did school accepted previous years?
How is the food and can the kids go out for lunch?
How do you provide a path for social-emotional learning?
What time the school day starts and ends?
How many students come off the waitlist?
How are students supported during the transition from MS to HS?
How many students per guidance counselor or college counselor?
Does the school have a library/librarian on staff?
What is the biggest student issue the school has to deal with?
How do you handle conflict within your school (not that my kid gets involved in conflict, it’s just that I’m always interested in school culture - the right answer for me is restorative justice - which says a lot about a school’s values and vibe.)
Does anybody ask students and staff about bullying policies. Also, the type of support kids get when it is time to apply for college? Does the school do college tours? Covers application fees? Which colleges is the school partnered with? Typically they will push down the students throat the colleges the school is partnered with even if it is not the best for the students. By knowing if they are partnered with any one can know the possible limited list.
For Teachers:
How do you provide a path for social-emotional learning?
What is an example of the kind of projects a student would do in various classes?
What books are assigned reading each year in the curriculum?
How much homework do you assign every night?
For Students:
How accessible do they think teachers are for extra help if needed- office hours, resource rooms, etc.
How much homework do you get on a regular basis?
What would you improve about this school?
What is an example of a typical HW assignment in Math, English, etc. ?
Was this school your first choice? Would it be your first choice now and why?
How would you describe the “vibe” of the school?
how long is your commute?
What is the biggest student issue the school has to deal with?
What do you like the best about this school? What do you like the least about this school?
Advice from an 8th Grade Parent to a 7th Grade Parent
Question: If you were to do things all over again, what would you do differently?
8th Grade Parent Perspectives:
Your child will change: Kids change A LOT in the early teens. Your 8th grader is NOT who they are going to be in HS. You don't know enough to find the perfect school for that kid, because you haven't met them yet. (And neither do/have they.) So don't get too hung up on one thing/interest/requirement. And think hard before you put a kid in a track that is going to be particularly prescriptive/difficult to change.
Stress Management is Key: Be attentive to how much stress you are experiencing around the process (natural given how nuts it is) and how much stress your kid is absorbing. It is A LOT to put 12 and 13-year-olds through during a time when they are already vulnerable due to puberty and post-Covid. The definition of anxiety is worrying about things that haven't happened yet - and the high school process is fraught with this BIG thing that hasn't happened yet (a new school). Protect them by speaking positively about the process, shielding them from how stressed you are, and at the same time letting them know it's okay to feel a little stressed and confused themselves. Don't let the madness of the process get in the way of being attentive to your child - who probably cares most about "will I have a friend there." Parent of three - just finished the application for my youngest!
Programs for Arts Students: Find out if there are Doe/School boot camps for the portfolio/audition schools before the summer of 8th grade. From what I have heard, people felt these programs were really beneficial in helping them prep for their portfolios/auditions
7th Grade Grades are Very Important: You’re off to a great start. My advice would be to take grade 7 seriously as those grades count for high school admissions and start researching high schools now. Don’t wait for 8th grade
The Process is Unavoidable: there’s not a great way to avoid the pressure aspect because it’s forced into a six week window. Just be reassured that our assessment of so many schools was “this would be a fine place to go to high school.” And there are a LOT of schools that fit that description, a lot of what seem to be solid HS communities, and even the people we know with bad luck in the lotto pull ended up with 12 schools I’d be happy to send my kid to. So it’s trying to find a best fit, knowing that your child will change a lot within the school as well, and being realistic about what you number affords you so you get one of the 12 schools on your list.
Elevate Your Child's Education: Discover the Top 10 Charter High Schools in Manhattan, New York
As parents, you understand the significance of a quality education in shaping your child's future. Manhattan, the heart of New York City, is a hub of diverse and exceptional educational opportunities. In this blog post, we're thrilled to introduce you to the top 10 charter high schools in Manhattan, providing you with a sneak peek into the educational excellence that awaits your child.
KIPP Infinity Charter School: KIPP Infinity is dedicated to preparing students for success in college and beyond. With a strong emphasis on character development and a rigorous academic curriculum, the school fosters a culture of excellence and determination.
Democracy Prep Charter School: Democracy Prep Charter School focuses on empowering students to become active and engaged citizens. The school places a strong emphasis on civic education and community involvement, equipping students with the skills needed to participate in a democratic society.
Harlem Village Academy East: Harlem Village Academy East is committed to providing students with a well-rounded education that emphasizes critical thinking and character development. The school's holistic approach prepares students for college and helps them thrive in their future pursuits.
Success Academy - Harlem 1: Part of the Success Academy network, Harlem 1 is known for its high academic standards and dedication to academic achievement. The school's rigorous curriculum and supportive environment set students up for success.
Democracy Prep - Harlem: Democracy Prep - Harlem is part of the Democracy Prep Public Schools network, which focuses on academic rigor and civic education. The school's curriculum is designed to prepare students to be informed, responsible, and engaged citizens.
Harlem Village Academy West: Harlem Village Academy West offers a rigorous and comprehensive education that prepares students for college and beyond. The school's commitment to excellence and character development helps students succeed academically and personally.
Democracy Prep Endurance: Democracy Prep Endurance is another school within the Democracy Prep Public Schools network. The school's mission is to prepare students for success in college and life by providing a challenging academic program and instilling a strong sense of civic responsibility.
Harlem Children's Zone Promise Academy: Harlem Children's Zone Promise Academy is known for its holistic approach to education, which includes academic excellence, character education, and comprehensive support services. The school is dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty through education.
New Heights Academy: New Heights Academy focuses on creating a positive and inclusive learning environment where students can excel academically and personally. The school's programs are designed to help students reach their full potential.
Harlem Children's Zone Promise Academy II: Similar to its counterpart, Harlem Children's Zone Promise Academy II is committed to providing a high-quality education that empowers students to overcome challenges and achieve their goals. The school's comprehensive approach supports students on their journey to success.
Honorable mentions: New Visions Charter High - Humanities IV
As you contemplate your child's educational journey, remember that Manhattan's charter high schools offer a wealth of opportunities for growth and achievement. Each school brings its unique strengths and approaches to education, ensuring that you'll find the perfect fit for your child's individual needs and aspirations. With dedicated educators, diverse communities, and innovative teaching methods, these charter schools are dedicated to nurturing the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and changemakers.
Make the most of the educational landscape Manhattan has to offer—explore these top 10 charter high schools to set your child on a path to success and a bright future.
Exploring Excellence: The Top 10 Charter High Schools in Brooklyn, New York
As a parent, ensuring your child's education is paramount. Brooklyn, New York, is home to a thriving education landscape, offering a diverse range of options for high school education. Charter high schools, in particular, have gained prominence for their innovative teaching methods, dedicated faculty, and exceptional student outcomes. In this blog post, we'll introduce you to the top 10 charter high schools in Brooklyn, igniting your excitement about the educational possibilities for your child.
Leadership Prep Ocean Hill: Leadership Prep Ocean Hill is known for its commitment to developing leadership skills in its students. With a rigorous academic curriculum and character-building programs, the school aims to prepare its students for academic and personal success.
Excellence Girls: Excellence Girls Charter School focuses on empowering young women through education. It offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to help students excel academically and personally, while also nurturing their confidence and leadership abilities.
Coney Island Preparatory: Coney Island Preparatory is dedicated to providing students with a strong college-preparatory education. The school emphasizes a culture of high expectations, with a focus on character development, academic achievement, and community engagement.
Achievement First East New York: Achievement First ENY is committed to closing the achievement gap through its rigorous academic program. The school offers a challenging curriculum and provides students with the support they need to succeed academically and prepare for college.
New Visions Charter High School: New Visions Charter High School is designed to prepare students for success in college and beyond. With a focus on personalized learning and a supportive environment, the school helps students build the skills and confidence they need to achieve their goals.
Math Engineering and Science: Math Engineering and Science Charter School offers a specialized curriculum that focuses on mathematics, engineering, and science. The school aims to prepare students for careers in STEM fields by providing them with a strong foundation in these subjects.
Brooklyn Prospect: Brooklyn Prospect Charter School provides a well-rounded education with a global perspective. The school emphasizes project-based learning and offers a variety of academic and extracurricular opportunities to help students thrive.
Northside Charter High School: Northside Charter High School is known for its strong academic program and commitment to fostering critical thinking skills. The school offers a range of courses and extracurricular activities to engage students in meaningful learning experiences.
Kings Collegiate: Kings Collegiate Charter School focuses on preparing students for college success. The school offers a rigorous academic curriculum and a supportive community that helps students develop the skills they need to excel academically.
Brooklyn Emerging Leaders: Brooklyn Emerging Leaders Charter School is dedicated to developing future leaders. The school provides a challenging academic program and offers opportunities for students to develop leadership skills and engage in community service.
Honorable Mentions: Success Academy Cobble Hill, KIPP AMP Academy,
As a parent, ensuring your child's education is paramount. Brooklyn, New York, is home to a thriving education landscape, offering a diverse range of options for high school education. Charter high schools, in particular, have gained prominence for their innovative teaching methods, dedicated faculty, and exceptional student outcomes. In this blog post, we'll introduce you to the top 10 charter high schools in Brooklyn, igniting your excitement about the educational possibilities for your child.
Top NYC High Schools that are Smaller in Size
Are you looking for a smaller high school that is academically rigorous with a personal touch and quite flexible? Are you seeking an academic environment where children feel like there teachers care and listen to them so their uniqueness can be fosters? Here are a few options you may want to consider.
HSAS Lehman
HSMSE
NYC iSchool
NYC Lab School
Millennium Manhattan
NEST+m
Millennium Brooklyn
Leon Goldstein
Beacon!
Richard R Green
Columbia Secondary School for Math, Science & Engineering - CSS - It’s like a mini-Stuyvesant
Essex St. Academy
UA Maker
UA Gateway
Telecommunications
Brooklyn Prospect Charter School
Brooklyn Collaborative
Essex, Harvest Collegiate, Humanities, Vanguard, Landmark, School of the Future (consortium schools)
Richard R Green
Also, be sure to check out the consortium schools as another option. The consortium schools are exempt from most of the Regents. This means that they don’t have to teach to the very rigid curriculum that specifically prepares students to take those tests. That great flexibility in curriculum allows them to adjust their teaching to match student’s interests and to support or encourage them in a variety of ways.
Instead of taking Regents, student have Performance Based Assessments. The student has the opportunity to follow their interests as they go in depth on the subject matter. Then they create a presentation that they submit to a panel to exhibit their knowledge.
The enthusiasm and breadth of knowledge I’ve seen from students working on PBAts far exceeds the drudgery of taking a Regents. This approach also instills skills that serve students well into adult life far better than filling in multiple choice bubbles.
Just remember Something I learned is that you can make a big school feel small, but you can’t make a small school feel big. And at that age, peers are more important and influential than teachers. So if they’re at a small school and don’t find their people, it can be alienating. Big schools also have vastly more resources and choices. But obviously you know your kid. And if you are considering schools with 700+ kids that is big enough to find a group. 400 might be tougher.
Q&A
Does this affect college eligibility?
Not at all. First of all most states don’t even have Regents, and colleges really don’t seem to care about them that much.
Secondly, the PBAts are accepted as replacement for the Regents so these students get the same diploma as students who take the regents.
Lastly, most of these schools really support students in research and writing, making them extra prepared for college apps.
Unhappy With Your Child's SHSAT Score?
Are you unhappy with your child’s SHSAT score AND still have dream of having your child attend a Specialized High School? Follow these steps to get your child on track for success:
Request to see your child’s SHSAT exam. Yes, this is totally possible. It may give you peace of mind. Visit this link. Scroll down to the section with the title: Can I request an appointment to review a copy of my child's answer sheet?
You and your child may review a copy of your child's answer sheet by requesting an appointment with a representative from the Office of Assessment. This year, appointments will take place in Long Island City, Queens in June.
The test view is solely an opportunity to view your child’s test and see the answers that she/he selected during the test administration. This is not an appeals process.
You may request an appointment no later than April 20th. You can do this by:
a. By submitting an electronic request via this survey (Open external link)
Or
b. By sending a written request via postal mail to:
Office of Assessment, SHSAT Test Views
44-36 Vernon Blvd., Room 209
Long Island City, NY 11101
Requests must include:
Student’s first and last name, date of birth, ID (OSIS) number, and if known, the date, borough, and school where the student was tested
Parent/guardian’s first and last name, phone number, and email address
The deadline to request an appointment is April 20th. After your request is submitted, the Office of Assessment will email you a link to schedule your appointment by April 24th. If you have questions, please email SHSATtestviews@schools.nyc.gov.
If there was some mistake from the DOE’s part, you can request your guidance counselor or Family Welcome Center to register your child to test again in August. That registration usually opens in early July. The August SHSAT is meant for students who moved to NYC after last December, but there are also test takers, who had some mistakes done during their original test date, or registered for the original date, but missed it due to sickness. This test will still get you in for 9th grade entry.
If you still don’t get in through this route, take the 9th grade SHSAT for 10th grade entry.
How to Get On Track for Admission into Medical School
Does your child aspire to become a doctor someday? Let's move their dream from a wish to an actual game plan for success. In this video, you will learn about the pathway to med school from a student who is getting ready to make that transition. You will learn the ins and outs, the dos and don't and the best programs and courses you need to prioritize NOW to be on track for success. We also discuss a way for you to go to med school for free. Resources are posted below as well. You should definitely check out our interview! This video is for all AdmissionSquad, Inc. current students and alumni who have a dream of becoming a doctor someday. This is a chance to learn how to turn that dream into a reality. We want to ensure that our middle school and high school students know how to plan out their future.
What: How to Get on Track for Med School Admissions
Who: Middle School and High School Students
Special Guest Speaker: Damali Simon-Ponte
2023 Specialized High School/Screened High School Results
We have gotten several inquiries from parents, schools and education leaders about when they should expect the Specialized High School results and the general high school results. For this year, we are excited to share that all results will be released on March 9th. Considering students took the Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT) in November and December 2022, instead of October 2022, and the general high school list was due in December. we are really happy to see the DOE get back on track with the original high school admissions timeline. This is a major victory for our children and all the key stakeholders!
In the past, before the global pandemic, students would have taken the SHSAT during the second to last weekend of October and would have submitted their high school list by the first few days of December. There were a few delays this time around but nothing too extreme. We still ask that parents stay up to date with any upcoming changes or updates by subscribing to the DOE high school admissions email list and visiting the website frequently.
The most recent update about the high school admissions timeline is on the DOE website. This language was taken directly from the DOE website and is an update on what will happen this week!
“Happening Now: High school offers will be available after school hours on March 9.”
Visit the link to learn more. Click here.
If you know any talented 7th graders who are interested in being prepped for admission into a Specialized High School, please send them our way by having them fill out an application at the link below. We have an amazing program coming up this summer.
2023 SHSAT Cutoff Scores
The SHSAT results are here and here are the 2023 SHSAT cutoff scores for the most recent class of test takers. You will notice that the minimum admitted score has decreased for quite a few of the Specialized High Schools. This point decrease is indicative of a few factors:
There was an increase in the number of students who took the 2022 SHSAT because schools were able to test student at the school location. This minimized any travel barriers. There were also more testing dates.
The real reason the cutoff scores were lower this year at all but one school is because students educational experiences have suffered over the course of the pandemic. We are seeing the aftermath of student academic performance and intellectual agility
The test was harder than exams in the handbook. There were multiple versions of the test and some exams included topics not represented in the DOE SHSAT handbooks. This threw many students off. One of the topics that our students complained about was direct and inverse variation and tax. Make sure you study these 7th grade topics students! It’s totally fair game on the real SHSAT. Keep in mind there are 10 ELA and 10 Math field test questions that are not considered in the final score. These can also intimate students while they are testing. Many of our students who were scoring in the high 500’s and 600’s scored much lower on the real test. In some cases 100 points lower. This was quite shocking.
Unusual testing conditions. Some students had to wear masks and take the exam in rooms that may not have been comfortable for them.
Please keep in mind that the SHSAT is an academic competition between the approximate 28,000 8th grade students who sat for the exam in December of 2021 of the child’s 8th grade year. Students with IEP’s and 504’s are typically given extended time to achieve success on the exam AND the DOE has selected even more middle schools to host the SHSAT on site removing a travel barrier for students.
How to Read Your Score
The SHSAT is comprised of 114 questions - 57 questions in the ELA section and 57 questions in the math section. You will get a raw score for each section. The raw score represents the number of questions you got correct per section. There is a conversion chart that the DOE uses to convert the raw score to a scaled score out of 400 points for each section of the exam. The two scaled scores are then added for a total composite score out of 800 possible points.
Advice for Prospective Students
Get 4’s on your common core state exams and learn content a grade level ahead of your current grade at all times. Staying a grade level ahead will help you to beat out your competition. Even if the DOE does not administer a state exam, still practice and master this content at home.
Instead of focusing on how to exceed the minimum admitted score, a prospective student should focus on how they can be the best amongst the entire group of 8th grade students. Focus on beating the highest admitted score for the school of your choice. Even better, make it a goal to get the highest score possible (800 points) and this is how you can secure a seat in one of the Specialized High Schools.
To be on track for admission into all of the Specialized High Schools, students should have a 400 by the start of 7th grade, a 500 by the end of 7th grade and a 600 by the start of 8th grade. The ultimate goal is to score a 650 by your final practice SHSAT before taking the exam. Overall, this means you should get around 47 questions correct in your stronger area and about 40 questions correct in your weaker area.
Finally, we believe that ALL students should sit for the Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT). There are 80,000 8th graders in NYC every year, yet only about 28,000 take the SHSAT. Having ALL students sit for the exam could change the cutoff scores and might tell a different story. You never know what the outcome might be and you literally have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Give it your best shot and start preparing now so you can shine on exam day.
Sign up for one of our programs. We have online classes available and would love to support you on this very rewarding journey. Click here
The Benefits of Having a Growth Mindset
A growth mindset is when people believe their talents and abilities can be grown. They make a deliberate choice to focus on HOW they can increase their talent or ability by three main ACTIONS:
Practice
Effort and
Gaining more knowledge around that talent or ability
On the converse, a fixed mindset is when a person believes that their abilities and talents are inborn and static, and therefore will not improve or decrease. These two mindsets form the basis of belief and will determine if you succeed or not. There are many benefits to having a growth mindset. We have curated the five most important benefits for your convenience. We also have three posters you can have in your child’s room or in your child’s classroom to facilitate your child developing this mindset. Check them out!
Benefit #1: Improves Your Self-Esteem
A growth mindset is critical for self-belief. Students who have this kind of mindset will often have a realistic view of their abilities, capabilities, and talents to build areas they are strong in and work to improve areas of weaknesses. They do not give up on their weak areas but work hard to improve them.
It enables them to have confidence that they can achieve something if they put in time and effort to learn and work. It causes them to achieve what they could not before, which increases their self-esteem and causes them to tackle more challenging goals because they know they can reach them based on experience.
Benefit #2: Learn New Skills
Because a growth mindset makes you more open to learning new skills and things you do not know, you find that you can gain new skills if you are interested in learning something new. With a growth mindset, you will strive to accomplish the goals that you set for yourself.
When applying for admission into a competitive school or securing an amazing career opportunity, having a growth mindset is one of the factors that evaluators look out for. This is because even if a new hire does not have the skills needed, they will learn and be able to deliver on the job because they will put in the effort and believe they can learn on the job.
Benefit #3: Accept New Challenges
In school and in life there will always be new challenges. These can come in many different forms, and sometimes your child can face many challenges at once. A student with a growth mindset will not give up or complain but will find a way to deal with every problem until it is resolved.
A student with a growth mindset will not blame his or her teacher or parent or the work but will instead motivate themselves to reach out for help, form a study group and get ahead of their course material. It is critical for students to have a growth mindset to lead themselves to believe in themselves and achieve greater success individually and alongside their peers. However, this does not mean that you should take uncalculated risks. It means that your student should take reasonable risks that lead them into new territories.
Benefit #4: See New Opportunities
With a growth mindset, your child will see opportunities where other people see challenges. It does not mean that they won’t recognize the challenges but rather can weigh all the factors that will make the challenge a success or a failure. A fixed mindset will already give up before considering options.
Subconsciously, with a growth mindset, your brain will pick out new opportunities to give birth to new possibilities. On the other hand, a fixed mindset will subconsciously bypass that opportunity because the brain knows that it’s natural talents or abilities are limited and therefore will not work towards it. Students must have a growth mindset to creatively solve problems and see new opportunities to continue to develop both academically and professionally. Parents and teachers makes sure you look out for the words that you child speaks when they encounter a challenge. This will let you know what kind of mindset is driving their success. Gently correcting them and having the aforementioned posters available as a soft support will make a major difference.
Benefit #5: Look Out For Feedback
If you have a growth mindset, you are more likely to ask for feedback to improve your results and methods the next time. Researchers have found that this is because you are looking to improve yourself with this kind of mindset, and feedback is a means of getting a new perspective of something you may not have thought of.
For people with a fixed mindset, feedback is seen as absolute praise or absolute criticism, and it is not seen as a means of improving yourself. It is also seen as a means to compare with others which is not designed to facilitate growth. A growth mindset will enable you to consider all the aspects of a project or task and recognize where you could have done better. It does not put you down, instead, it causes you to want to try again and improve.
Cultivating a growth mindset is one of the most important elements necessary to be on the journey to success. We strongly encourage you to make this mindset a priority by reminding your child about the appropriate thoughts they should have when they encounter failure or a challenging obstacle. When this mindset is developed over time, your child will become an indestructible force willing to take on any and every challenge knowing that it is their effort, practice and knowledge that will determine their success. There is always room for improvement and that choice is always in a person’s hands.
Overcoming Test-taking Anxiety
As we prepare our children to be successful on the Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT), the TACH’s exam, the ISEE, the SSAT and any other rigorous exam, we are hearing quite often that students are struggling with test taking anxiety. This is very common for most students, especially considering many students are still making a steady transition after heading back to school post-pandemic. Our children have had to relearn what it means to be a student again. What it means to learn in a traditional setting in an environment of high standards. The following three links contain resources that can support your child with anxiety and see below for tips on how to manage taking an exam.
The Day of the Test
To be able to do your best on the day of the test we suggest the following:
Make sure you have a good breakfast at the beginning of your day with some warm tea.
Do something relaxing the hour before the test like yoga, meditation, visualization or breathing exercises- last minute cramming will cloud your mastering of the overall concepts of the material.
Plan to arrive at the test location early - this will allow you to relax and to select a seat located away from doors, windows, and other distractions.
Avoid classmates, teachers or anyone who generate anxiety and tend to upset your stability.
If waiting for the test to begin causes anxiety, distract yourself by reading a magazine, book or newspaper if it is allowed or try to meditate for a few minutes.
During the Test: Basic Strategies
First review the entire test, and read the directions twice. Try to think of the test as an opportunity to show the professor what you know. Organize your time efficiently; work on the easiest portions of the test first.
For essay questions, construct a short outline for yourself - then begin your answer with a summary sentence. For short-answer questions, answer only what is asked - short and to the point. If you have difficulty with an item involving a written response, show what knowledge you can. If proper terminology evades you, show what you know with your own words
For multiple choice questions, read all the options first, then eliminate the most obvious. Unsure of the correct response? Rely on your first impression, then move on quickly. Beware of tricky qualifying words such as "only," "always," or "most."
Do not rush through the test. Wear a watch and check it frequently as you pace yourself. If it appears you will be unable to finish the entire test, concentrate on those portions that you can answer well. Recheck your answers only if you have extra time - and only if you are not anxious.
During the Test: Anxiety Control
While taking the exam, you can minimize any excess anxiety in any of the following ways:
Tell yourself, "I can be anxious later, now is the time to take the exam."
Focus on answering the question, not on your grade or others' performances.
Counter negative thoughts with other, more valid thoughts like, "I don't have to be perfect."
Tense and relax muscles throughout your body; take a couple of slow deep breaths and try to maintain a positive attitude.
If allowed, get a drink of water or go to the bathroom.
Ask the instructor a question if you have one.
Think for a moment about the post-exam reward you promised yourself. It’s coming soon!
After the Test
Despite the outcome, give yourself a reward and enjoy every minute of it. You deserve it!
2022 SHSAT Cutoff Scores
Here are the 2022 SHSAT cutoff scores for the most recent class of test takers. You will notice that the minimum admitted score has increased for quite a few of the Specialized High Schools. This point increase is indicative of a few factors:
There was an increase in the number of students who took the 2021 SHSAT because schools were able to test student at the school location. This minimized any travel barriers.
The real reason the cutoff scores were higher this year is because Mayor De Blasio expanded the number of seats for the Discovery Program to 20% (About 1,000 seats). This expansion has remained in place into this year, reducing the number of seats available through regular admission. With fewer seats available, the minimum admitted score continues to be affected.
There were multiple versions of the test and some exams included topics not represented in the DOE SHSAT handbooks. This threw many students off. One of the topics that our students complained about was direct and inverse variation. Make sure you study this 7th grade topic students! It’s totally fair game on the real SHSAT.
Unusual testing conditions. Students had to wear masks and take the exam in rooms that may not have been comfortable for them.
Please keep in mind that the SHSAT is an academic competition between the approximate 28,000 8th grade students who sat for the exam in December of 2021 of the child’s 8th grade year. Students with IEP’s and 504’s are typically given extended time to achieve success on the exam AND the DOE has selected even more middle schools to host the SHSAT on site removing a travel barrier for students.
How to Read Your Score
The SHSAT is comprised of 114 questions - 57 questions in the ELA section and 57 questions in the math section. You will get a raw score for each section. The raw score represents the number of questions you got correct per section. There is a conversion chart that the DOE uses to convert the raw score to a scaled score out of 400 points for each section of the exam. The two scaled scores are then added for a total composite score out of 800 possible points.
Advice for Prospective Students
Get 4’s on your common core state exams and learn content a grade level ahead of your current grade at all times. Staying a grade level ahead will help you to beat out your competition. Even if the DOE does not administer a state exam, still practice and master this content at home.
Instead of focusing on how to exceed the minimum admitted score, a prospective student should focus on how they can be the best amongst the entire group of 8th grade students. Focus on beating the highest admitted score for the school of your choice. Even better, make it a goal to get the highest score possible (800 points) and this is how you can secure a seat in one of the Specialized High Schools.
To be on track for admission into all of the Specialized High Schools, students should have a 400 by the start of 7th grade, a 500 by the end of 7th grade and a 600 by the start of 8th grade. The ultimate goal is to score a 650 by your final practice SHSAT before taking the exam. Overall, this means you should get around 47 questions correct in your stronger area and about 40 questions correct in your weaker area.
Finally, we believe that ALL students should sit for the Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT). There are 80,000 8th graders in NYC every year, yet only about 28,000 take the SHSAT. Having ALL students sit for the exam could change the cutoff scores and might tell a different story. You never know what the outcome might be and you literally have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Give it your best shot and start preparing now so you can shine on exam day.
Sign up for one of our programs. We have online classes available and would love to support you on this very rewarding journey. Click here
2022 Specialized High School Results
We have gotten several inquiries from parents and schools about when they should expect the Specialized High School results and the general high school results. For this year the entire process is still delayed. Considering students took the Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT) in December 2021, instead of October 2021, and the general high school list has still not yet been submitted, it is understandable that the entire process is behind the typical schedule. Parents are required to submit their child’s final high school list and all essay requirements by March 11th, 2022.
In the past, before the global pandemic, students would have taken the SHSAT during the second to last weekend of October and would have submitted their high school list by the first few days of December. The global pandemic has caused the DOE to adjust the high school admissions timeline for two years in a row. We ask that parents stay up to date with these changes by subscribing to the DOE high school admissions email list and visiting the website frequently.
The most recent update about the high school admissions timeline is on the DOE website. This language was taken directly from the DOE website and is an update on what will happen
“High school and Specialized High Schools results are released in the spring as part of the high school offer letter. For 2022 admissions, testing Specialized High Schools results and offers will be released first in April; the full high school offer letter will be available in June..”
Visit the link to learn more. Click here.
5 Steps Parents Can Take to Support Their Child From Home Each Week
Use this resource to find out how you can help your child perform to the best of his/her ability on the SHSAT!
What Colleges Look For
Greetings parents,
We get a lot of questions around college admissions and I wanted to give some perspective to parents and prospective students. There actually is a formula you can follow to make sure you stand out. Many of these tips also apply to scholarship applications and internship applications as well. Let’s make a commitment to begin with the end in mind. Recommenders typically have to comment on the questions down below. Would a recommender be able to check off the boxes all the way to the right for your child? You can see the characteristics even from right now and begin to develop them in advance of high school.
There are two elements you should focus one when applying to college:
Previous academic success is a great predictor of future academic success, which in turn predicts career success. When you apply for a job, the behavioral interview aims to assess what your past behavior was when dealing with professional circumstances. The idea here is that how you dealt with situations in the past is likely how you will deal with them in the future. The same thinking applies in this scenario. Do you thrive academically? Are you willing to take on new challenges? Do you succeed when doing so? The evidence of these answers based on past performance is the biggest predictor of future performance. So, make good choices in high school
Personality traits that lend itself to becoming a next generation leader are preferred: integrity, leadership, curiosity, creativity, empathy, perseverance, motivation, ambition, collaboration, confidence, and others. You don't need to be perfect in all dimensions, but some of these should apply strongly to you. See below to see an example of what a rating scale could look like. This is what a recommender would have to fill out on your child’s behalf.
One last question to meditate on as you position your child to become the type of candidate that colleges/universities and competitive companies are looking for is this: What are the first words that come to mind to describe this student?
Think about that parents and be honest with yourselves. Then think about what you want those answers to be. See above for the characteristics schools are looking for. Then, think of experiences your child can get involved with and what their role should be that will support them in getting the world to see them in this light.
I get asked to write recommendations for students all the time for admission into college. These are the kinds of questions I have to answer. The except below is taken directly from a recommendation platform where I had to submit on behalf of a student.
We offer the following questions as possible guidelines to your comments:
What motivates this student academically?
How did this student stand out compared to classmates, either academically or personally?
How was this student able to work effectively and respectfully with those with different perspectives or from different backgrounds?
Is there anything else in your knowledge of this student that you would like to bring to our attention? In particular, if this student has had to overcome particular adversity or challenges, or any limitations on the curriculum or extracurricular involvement, please feel free to share that with us.
What is the SHSAT Discovery Program?
The Discovery Program, is a summer program that offers admissions to low-income, 8th grade students who score just under the cut off score. These students are given the opportunity to “work off” the remaining points that may stand in their way.
By the end of 2020, 20% of seats at each specialized high school were reserved for Discovery Program participants. In addition, the expansion targets students from high poverty schools across the City:
To be eligible for the Discovery program, a Specialized High Schools applicant must:
Be one or more of the following: a student from a low-income household, a student in temporary housing, or an English Language Learner who moved to NYC within the past four years; and
Have scored within a certain range below the cutoff score on the SHSAT; and
Attend a high-poverty school. A school is defined as high-poverty if it has an Economic Need Index (ENI) of at least 60%. You can see a school’s historical ENI by visiting the School Performance Dashboard and selecting the school from the list.
You cannot apply to the discovery program, you have to be selected. Students who are eligible to attend the Discovery Program will be notified in the Spring.
How to Use a Feelings Wheel to Support Your Child
In our years of supporting students on their journey to being on the pathway to success and walking in their God-given purpose, we notice that many students have not developed the ability to tap into and identify their feelings. This is important because students need to know how to advocate for themselves and make the necessary adjustments and requests in real-time to maximize their ability to show up as their best selves.
So what is a feelings wheel? A Feelings Wheel is a tool used to help recognize and communicate feelings. Although it may seem unnecessary, a Feelings Wheel is a way to work smarter, not harder, with teenagers when identifying and managing emotions. To get a better picture, a Feelings Wheel is a circle that at the center has “core” or basic emotions (emotions that are more easily identified or expressed) and more complex or “secondary” emotions on the outer edge. See an example down below.
The more specific your student can be in labeling their emotions, the more understanding you will have for them and they will have for themselves. This is about allowing students to operate from a place of compassion toward themselves and toward you as parents. My go-to feeling when I was a teen was “anxious.” It was my answer when I was overwhelmed, worried, insecure, disappointed, or powerless. But really, it was my answer to explain my negativity without having to be vulnerable. Aren’t those other secondary emotions more honest and accurate though?
A Feelings Wheel supports us on our journey to opening up, being vulnerable and practicing authentic living, instead of hiding behind what is the easy or standard answer. Increased relief and true authenticity comes with increased specificity in identifying our emotions and empathizing with them.
Use these four tips to implement the use of the feelings wheel with your children.
1. Use it frequently.
When students come to visit our test prep center or we begin one of our test prep classes, we typically ask the standard question, “how are you doing? or How are you feeling today?” Students typically respond by saying, “I’m good Ms. Tai. or I’m ok.” I always require more detail from our students but I notice that they don’t always have the language to express themselves more accurately. So, I use the feelings wheel as an additional support. The Feelings Wheel can be added to conversations about the highs and lows of each person’s day with the students at the beginning of our class. Parents can also use it with the whole family at dinner or in the car. This allows greater insight into what your teenager’s day has been like as well as normalizes talking about real emotions instead of using just the easy or go-to answer. When you participate in using a Feelings Wheel, you are modeling appropriate ways to process and communicate emotions as well as giving them an opportunity to share without feeling targeted or in the spotlight.
2. Use it before the breakdown.
During a session I had with a student, I could tell he was under a lot of pressure to be successful in the high school admissions process. Specifically, his parents wanted him to work even harder to get into a Specialized High School by scoring a high score on the practice exams and on the homework assignments. The high expectations started to have a negative impact on the student and it became apparent during sessions where the content was more difficult that the student began to have a physiological response to the pressure. For some reason, even thought I noticed the shift in his disposition and that his energy level changed, he would never speak up about it. He would allow the session to continue which was causing his internal turmoil to become more severe. I asked him how he was feeling and he just said I’m ok. But I was clear that he wasn’t. Before the breakdown happened, I pulled out the feelings wheel to supply him with the words to express himself and he was able to say that he felt stressed. In times like this, you have a good opportunity to have a one-on-one conversation with your teen so you can bring light to whats really going on and better support your teen to understand when and why their energy and emotions shifted. Use the feelings wheel to help them identify the emotions they are feeling in that moment. Typically, when we hold our emotions in, they eventually explode. Being able to talk prior to an explosion can be preventative by allowing them to take care of their emotions before they are forced to. Emotions demand to be felt. You can choose when to take care of them, or they will choose for you.
3. Use it during a breakdown.
Your teenager may or may not be the “blow up” type, but that doesn’t mean all is well inside. If you notice a shift in their academic performance, behavioral issues, capacity to eat food, motivation and discipline, something deeper could be going on. If your child seems more quiet or isolated, it can be helpful for you to pursue a conversation with them and check in to see how they are doing on the inside. Referencing the Feelings Wheel can help them see what they may be experiencing and is a beginning to understanding it better. Sometimes they might not even realize what is going on inside of them until they are given the words, especially since there may be situations in which some feelings and expressions of those feelings seem similar to one another.
4. Empathize.
We all respond to situations differently, and our emotional response is no exception. By being specific in how we use our emotions we can pinpoint a common shared experience that will us to understand what each other may be feeling. If we empathize with where they are, it allows them to feel accepted even if you do not agree. (That is a conversation for another time!)
Again, this may seem like a completely different shift from your family’s norm and may even be a little awkward at first, but can you imagine what it would be like for your family to have the freedom to communicate with each other how you are actually doing? This could be a brand new avenue for each person in the family not only to be able to understand each other but to know how to take care of each other as well. This would continue to make your home the safe haven everyone runs to the best part being that everyone becomes involved in making it happen.
