High School Guide: Admissions, reviews, and advice

Carol Kelly3 said:So, things are actually worse than I thought. I don't really get why people aren't calling out those arrogant, insulting comments claiming someone isn't "cut out" for a specific school just because they don't ace the entrance exam.

Based on how this works, a student who is a straight-A student—someone going to a school where teachers don't just hand out easy grades—might end up with, say, 75 points if they have a couple of B's. On the other hand, you have someone who was an A-student only because of grade inflation, maybe sitting at a 3.7 GPA, and they walk in with 80 points. Now, if the entrance exam actually reflects real knowledge and the score ratio ends up being 9 to 7 in favor of that first student... well, according to some of the arrogant folks out there, that first student is just proving they don't belong in that school, while the second one is the one who truly deserves to be enrolled 🤣

If an entrance exam for a dream school is too hard for a kid, then they just aren't ready for that specific school.
And I really stand by that.
I totally get the nerves, the lack of focus, or that crushing realization that one or two silly mistakes could ruin everything... but if the material is genuinely too difficult and they fail, then they aren't a fit for that program (regardless of whether they covered it in middle school or not). If they haven't covered it, that’s a much bigger issue within our education system, but from what I see, parents go to great lengths to prep their kids for these tests—whether through self-study or private tutors—often starting as early as 8th grade. I remember being in a used bookstore around October, and I saw a woman buying textbooks from decades ago to try and teach her child the fundamentals for a top-tier High School. She was listening to stories about rotating teachers, unqualified substitutes, bad classroom environments, and online schooling... and honestly, at the end of the day, all that matters is the knowledge the kid needs for that advanced curriculum. I don't judge her for it, though it did surprise me to see someone hunting for old textbooks like that.

Unfortunately, even now that the weight of the entrance exam score has been bumped up from 5% to 10%, it still doesn't carry nearly enough weight compared to GPA.

It's also really tough to comment on the whole "strict vs. easy" school debate. Kids vary so much in terms of talent, knowledge, and work ethic when they walk through the door. Some breeze through while others struggle, which eventually leads to these urban legends about how "hard" certain schools are.

It's the same deal with middle schools; some hand out grades like candy, some simplify the curriculum just to boost the number of A's, and others maintain such high standards that they simply seem "tougher."
But even with maintaining standards, you have to ask: what is the actual capacity and potential of the child?

By the way, I think we should scrap the "optional success" metrics entirely, especially the stuff with decimals. Just use grades from the core required subjects.
I'm sure the enrollment process would be way less stressful for everyone involved.

Susan James said:If an entrance exam for a dream school is too hard for a kid, then they just aren't ready for that specific school.
And I really stand by that.
I totally get the nerves, the lack of focus, or that crushing realization that one or two silly mistakes could ruin everything... but if the material is genuinely too difficult and they fail, then they aren't a fit for that program (regardless of whether they covered it in middle school or not). If they haven't covered it, that’s a much bigger issue within our education system, but from what I see, parents go to great lengths to prep their kids for these tests—whether through self-study or private tutors—often starting as early as 8th grade. I remember being in a used bookstore around October, and I saw a woman buying textbooks from decades ago to try and teach her child the fundamentals for a top-tier High School. She was listening to stories about rotating teachers, unqualified substitutes, bad classroom environments, and online schooling... and honestly, at the end of the day, all that matters is the knowledge the kid needs for that advanced curriculum. I don't judge her for it, though it did surprise me to see someone hunting for old textbooks like that.

Unfortunately, even now that the weight of the entrance exam score has been bumped up from 5% to 10%, it still doesn't carry nearly enough weight compared to GPA.

It's also really tough to comment on the whole "strict vs. easy" school debate. Kids vary so much in terms of talent, knowledge, and work ethic when they walk through the door. Some breeze through while others struggle, which eventually leads to these urban legends about how "hard" certain schools are.

It's the same deal with middle schools; some hand out grades like candy, some simplify the curriculum just to boost the number of A's, and others maintain such high standards that they simply seem "tougher."
But even with maintaining standards, you have to ask: what is the actual capacity and potential of the child?

By the way, I think we should scrap the "optional success" metrics entirely, especially the stuff with decimals. Just use grades from the core required subjects.
I'm sure the enrollment process would be way less stressful for everyone involved.

Even though you're using softer language now and backing off the insults toward parents—which is good—it's still unclear what someone meant by being arrogant when they say failing an entrance exam means you aren't fit for that school. In my case, someone could ace the exam with 100%, but due to inflated GPAs from other students, they might still lose out to someone who only got a 7 out of 10 on the exam. Are you suggesting, like some others, that the person who got 100% isn't right for the school, while the person with 70% is, just because the first one "failed" to hit a certain threshold?

rustyowl7 said:Down here in San Diego, we only have two language schools, even though we have so many surrounding suburbs pulling people in...

rustyowl7 said:It honestly feels wrong that someone with a 4.8 GPA has to sit around stressing over whether they’ll actually get an acceptance letter.
What’s the best strategy here? He actually has a better score for MIT. 🤣 anyway, there’s no way to appeal the decision once it's made.

I took a look at last year's records, and the average for the language track at ST was 76.30—or specifically 72.99. There is absolutely no way a kid with 78 points wouldn't get accepted.

Things might feel a little easier if at least one person in the house stays level-headed. Maybe take a moment to think about other options? For those interested in languages, maybe a classical studies program would be a classic—and perhaps even a better choice—though, of course, that really depends on what the kid is actually into. Good luck!

Wishing everyone the best of luck with admissions, and I hope all the parents can stay calm through it all!

rowdypanther12 said:Of course it isn't normal. Then you get those people acting all high and mighty, claiming that if you don't have a perfect 4.0 every single year, you don't belong in a top prep school. 😂Honestly, the whole system is so backwards it's starting to feel like Stockholm Syndrome.

Where did you actually read that if you didn't have perfect grades for four years, you aren't cut out for a prep school?
I never said that. My point is that there are plenty of kids who pass with high marks but still aren't suited for that kind of academic environment:

-Any kid who can't just sit down and study on their own during middle school isn't ready for a rigorous prep school.
-A child who finds it incredibly stressful to handle just a few tests a week isn't built for that lifestyle.
-A kid who skips hanging out with friends or traveling with their parents on long weekends just to maintain an A average isn't meant for that path.
-A child whose entire grade depends on one final exam—not just in one subject, but in most of them—probably isn't ready for that pressure.
-A child whose parent has to take vacation days just to help them finish projects and reading assignments likely won't thrive in a standard academic track; they might be better suited for vocational paths, maybe working at a Coca-Cola plant or training as a chef or pastry artist.

Kids with a 3.8 or 3.9 GPA typically enroll in these schools quite normally.
In Washington, D.C.
Sure, they might not get into those ultra-elite private academies, but honestly, who actually wants their kid studying relentlessly from dawn to dusk? This is the age when they should be falling in love, going to concerts, hanging out in the park, or just being teenagers.
There’s only a tiny percentage of kids who are truly mature enough to know at age 12 that they want to be surgeons and therefore need those top-tier schools.
But those kids are fine; they usually breeze through middle school. They might struggle a bit with gym or art, but even then, they often excel because they're so focused on everything else.

Susan James said:Where did you actually read that if you didn't have perfect grades for four years, you aren't cut out for a prep school?
I never said that. My point is that there are plenty of kids who pass with high marks but still aren't suited for that kind of academic environment:

-Any kid who can't just sit down and study on their own during middle school isn't ready for a rigorous prep school.
-A child who finds it incredibly stressful to handle just a few tests a week isn't built for that lifestyle.
-A kid who skips hanging out with friends or traveling with their parents on long weekends just to maintain an A average isn't meant for that path.
-A child whose entire grade depends on one final exam—not just in one subject, but in most of them—probably isn't ready for that pressure.
-A child whose parent has to take vacation days just to help them finish projects and reading assignments likely won't thrive in a standard academic track; they might be better suited for vocational paths, maybe working at a Coca-Cola plant or training as a chef or pastry artist.

Kids with a 3.8 or 3.9 GPA typically enroll in these schools quite normally.
In Washington, D.C.
Sure, they might not get into those ultra-elite private academies, but honestly, who actually wants their kid studying relentlessly from dawn to dusk? This is the age when they should be falling in love, going to concerts, hanging out in the park, or just being teenagers.
There’s only a tiny percentage of kids who are truly mature enough to know at age 12 that they want to be surgeons and therefore need those top-tier schools.
But those kids are fine; they usually breeze through middle school. They might struggle a bit with gym or art, but even then, they often excel because they're so focused on everything else.

Well, you didn't actually write that yourself, but looking at your posts, it seems like you're backing up those people who act all arrogant about their views. There are plenty of them here, mostly folks claiming to work in the school system. I think they're actually the ones putting all this pressure on the kids, and then they turn around and blame the parents for not doing enough.

Hey monstera, my colleague’s son is currently enrolling.
He scored a 4.8 in seventh grade and a 4.6 in eighth.
Could you please help him out and let me know which high schools in the area he might be able to get into?

rowdypanther12 said:Hey monstera, my colleague’s son is currently enrolling.
He scored a 4.8 in seventh grade and a 4.6 in eighth.
Could you please help him out and let me know which high schools in the area he might be able to get into?

What’s the total point cutoff look like?

Look, for the top-tier academy, the requirement was around 73.86 points. I’m guessing the local vocational high school probably sits somewhere in that same ballpark.

rowdypanther12 said:Hey monstera, my colleague’s son is currently enrolling.
He scored a 4.8 in seventh grade and a 4.6 in eighth.
Could you please help him out and let me know which high schools in the area he might be able to get into?

What about the specific subject scores used for admissions?
Those grades actually matter way more than just the overall GPA since they determine the points needed for entry.

For example, if they can get into a vocational school, having B's in social studies might be enough, especially with how entrance exams are looking lately, because those subjects aren't weighted heavily there.
If they're aiming for a language academy, even a C in physics shouldn't be a dealbreaker; I actually know quite a few kids who applied—and are still applying—with grades like that.
Every school has its own cutoff requirements. As long as they meet those minimum thresholds, they should definitely apply. From there, it really just comes down to how many other students apply and what their scores look like compared to the competition.

here's the link to last year's scoring. I guess points matter more than just averages, maybe.

You really have to check each school individually for those three electives alongside the core subjects like English, math, and a foreign language, since not every high school counts the same ones.

For instance, Luciana is doing geography instead of biology for her STEM track!

Oh, and one more thing—Central High is actually opening a STEM class this year without an entrance exam.

rowdypanther12 said:Hey monstera, my colleague’s son is currently enrolling.
He scored a 4.8 in seventh grade and a 4.6 in eighth.
Could you please help him out and let me know which high schools in the area he might be able to get into?

I'm pretty sure if you use that link I posted above, you just plug in all the grades—it calculates the total score and lists every school he qualifies for.

Carol Kelly3 said:Even though you're using softer language now and backing off the insults toward parents—which is good—it's still unclear what someone meant by being arrogant when they say failing an entrance exam means you aren't fit for that school. In my case, someone could ace the exam with 100%, but due to inflated GPAs from other students, they might still lose out to someone who only got a 7 out of 10 on the exam. Are you suggesting, like some others, that the person who got 100% isn't right for the school, while the person with 70% is, just because the first one "failed" to hit a certain threshold?

You definitely don't have to get every single question right on the entrance exam.
I haven't actually changed my tone at all; I've always maintained that these exams just don't carry nearly enough weight compared to a student's overall grades.

But I will say this: if a student finds the exam incredibly stressful or feels like the material is just too difficult, then that school probably isn't the right match for them.

If I remember correctly, according to the updated district guidelines, if two students end up with the exact same total score, the tiebreaker goes to whoever performed better on the actual entrance exam.

A high GPA doesn't guarantee a spot. Mine is sitting at a 4.6 or 4.7, which nets him 69 points for a general high school—thanks to mediocre grades in History and Geography. At that rate, he wouldn't qualify for any general high schools in NYC... not that he’s interested, just an example.

The total score from specific subjects required by the school matters more. For technical schools, his score jumps to 74.

I don't know what to tell you. It’s just one of those things. kaže:
You really have to vet every school individually for those three electives alongside the core subjects—English, math, and a foreign language. Not every high school counts the same credits toward the final score.

Take Luciana, for instance. She’s aiming for a pre-med track but her strengths are definitely in geography rather than biology.

Another interesting update—Stuyvesant High School is adding a new STEM track this year. No entrance exam required, either.

What's the cutoff for applying?

I can't find that info anywhere. Maybe they left it out because it’s just going to be the same as the general one?

rowdypanther12 said:Hey monstera, my colleague’s son is currently enrolling.
He scored a 4.8 in seventh grade and a 4.6 in eighth.
Could you please help him out and let me know which high schools in the area he might be able to get into?

He’ll definitely get into a school in IX. Maybe even a prestigious private academy if that's what he's after.
But I constantly get this impression—I see it all the time from parents at my kid's school—that if a child doesn't end up in a prep school, it's like the world is ending, or like you've somehow failed as a parent...
About six kids in my kid's class are opting for vocational programs, and I swear, during the last parent-teacher meeting, they looked at us like we were aliens or something, just staring with this weird sense of pity... I don't know, that's just the vibe I get....

I haven't done much digging into this, but I get the feeling there aren't many paths to choose from if you aren't into tech or the arts. Is it mostly just business or tourism? 🤔

rowdypanther12 said:I haven't done much digging into this, but I get the feeling there aren't many paths to choose from if you aren't into tech or the arts. Is it mostly just business or tourism? 🤔

Well, I suppose there's still the administrative track left... which explains why everyone is gunning for the general high school... 😁

There are plenty of options for medical professionals. As for the technicians—those who prefer to follow their mothers' advice—they have choices too. Even the artists...

The grade thresholds are listed on some school websites, but not all of them, and the updates are painfully slow... They will eventually be posted on that official enrollment portal once schools start inputting the data...

By the way, one pharmaceutical technician hit a threshold of 73 points... 😵

Out of my group of 17 students, three or four are aiming for prep school. Three of them are hitting that perfect 4.0 GPA, and honestly, they’ve truly earned it—it’s not just a participation trophy. I know two of them pretty well personally, so I don't think the admissions interview will be an issue at all for them.
Mine is sitting at a solid 3.0, though they aren't exactly top of the class. They'll likely end up with around a 72% score, so prep school isn't really on the table, nor is it something they're set on; they'll probably head toward a technical college instead.

Mark Johnson12 said:Out of my group of 17 students, three or four are aiming for prep school. Three of them are hitting that perfect 4.0 GPA, and honestly, they’ve truly earned it—it’s not just a participation trophy. I know two of them pretty well personally, so I don't think the admissions interview will be an issue at all for them.
Mine is sitting at a solid 3.0, though they aren't exactly top of the class. They'll likely end up with around a 72% score, so prep school isn't really on the table, nor is it something they're set on; they'll probably head toward a technical college instead.

We have a bit of a weird situation here in Cincinnati. The cutoff score for the IT and electrical engineering programs is sitting right at 72.30, which means my little one is cutting it incredibly close with their current points. It would actually be easier for them to get into a standard high school, though that isn't really the plan. For context, the score required for a web design track in Cincinnati is 74.96—it's actually the only program in the whole country requiring over 70 points...

Susan James said:Where did you actually read that if you didn't have perfect grades for four years, you aren't cut out for a prep school?
I never said that. My point is that there are plenty of kids who pass with high marks but still aren't suited for that kind of academic environment:

-Any kid who can't just sit down and study on their own during middle school isn't ready for a rigorous prep school.
-A child who finds it incredibly stressful to handle just a few tests a week isn't built for that lifestyle.
-A kid who skips hanging out with friends or traveling with their parents on long weekends just to maintain an A average isn't meant for that path.
-A child whose entire grade depends on one final exam—not just in one subject, but in most of them—probably isn't ready for that pressure.
-A child whose parent has to take vacation days just to help them finish projects and reading assignments likely won't thrive in a standard academic track; they might be better suited for vocational paths, maybe working at a Coca-Cola plant or training as a chef or pastry artist.

Kids with a 3.8 or 3.9 GPA typically enroll in these schools quite normally.
In Washington, D.C.
Sure, they might not get into those ultra-elite private academies, but honestly, who actually wants their kid studying relentlessly from dawn to dusk? This is the age when they should be falling in love, going to concerts, hanging out in the park, or just being teenagers.
There’s only a tiny percentage of kids who are truly mature enough to know at age 12 that they want to be surgeons and therefore need those top-tier schools.
But those kids are fine; they usually breeze through middle school. They might struggle a bit with gym or art, but even then, they often excel because they're so focused on everything else.

I second everything said here, from start to finish.😲eek:😲
#snowsnail