Important Dates


All 8th grade students should have created a MySchools account. This is where you will be applying for high school and the SHSAT (if you choose to take it). Letters with personalized creation codes were mailed to your house in mid December. If you do not have your letter, you must email your guidance counselor immediately.

January 15, 2021- Last day to register for the SHSAT
January 18, 2021- MySchools open for applying to H.S.
January 27, 2021- Tentative date for the SHSAT @ MS 172
February 22, 2021- Last day to apply for high school 

Ms. Grevstad
801, 802, 822, 824, 832, 891
Cgrevstad@schools.nyc.gov

Ms.LaValle
831, 833, 821, 823, 825, 892
klavall@schools.nyc.gov






Frank Sinatra High School of the Arts


​
Dear 8th Grade Students and Families,

Please join us this Tuesday, January 19th At 7pm for Frank Sinatra School of the Arts Live Virtual Open House on the FSSA Virtual Stage. This will be an opportunity to learn about the school from administration, teachers and students as well as have your questions answered about the application and audition process. No registration is required and the event is open to all who want to attend. Thank you and best of luck with the high school application process! 
Gideon Frankel
Principal
Frank Sinatra School of the Arts








ALL 8TH GRADERS  -   You MUST create your MySchools account. Please check your home mail for the Welcome letters that have the account creation codes. You will need the account creation codes to create your account. Please email your guidance counselor if you do not have your welcome letter. 
 
SPECIALIZED HIGH SCHOOL EXAM registration opens today. You have until January 15th to register. You can register for the exam in your MySchools account. 
 
If you have any questions or need your MySchools Welcome letter,  please email your guidance counselor: 

Ms. Grevstad 801, 802, 822,824,832, 891    Cgrevstad@schools.nyc.gov        
Ms. LaValle  803,821,823,825, 831,833,892  klavall@schools.nyc.gov​   


​MySchools










High School Information

                                                                                                                                                     December 18, 2020
Dear Families,

This has been a year of new challenges and difficult choices, testing our collective strength and endurance as we have faced the unknown together. We have had to reinvent the building blocks of public education in the nation’s largest school system, from how to “go to class,” to grading policy, attendance, and everything in between.

Today I am writing with an update on another fundamental pillar of your child’s education: the high school application and enrollment process this year, which will open the week of January 18. I want to thank you for your patience as we have worked for months to talk to families and conduct careful analysis to develop a new high school admissions policy that meets this challenging moment. This new policy will better support your child’s learning journey, and that of their fellow 69,000 eighth graders, as we look ahead to Fall 2021.

New York City is home to approximately 250 total high schools that have geographic priorities in place, limiting opportunity for hard-working students to attend some of our most in-demand schools based on where they live. Additionally, there are 126 high schools that “screen” students for admission using academic records, auditions, attendance, special assessments, interviews, or other measures. They’ve historically used a student’s academic records to determine if they’re suitable for entry to the school. The changes we are sharing with you today relate to all of these schools.

How will my student’s place of residence affect their high school applications this year?

 In the interest of a more equitable process for all families, geographic admissions priorities for high schools will be phased out over the next two years. This means that, after next year, the location of a student’s home cannot alone determine their chances of getting into a certain school.
 District priorities for high school admissions will be permanently eliminated this year, and all other geographic priorities—like borough residence requirements— will be eliminated next year.

How will my student’s academic performance affect their high school applications this year?

 For remaining screens at high schools, schools can choose to remove or alter their screens in the year ahead, or they may maintain them.
Schools that maintain academic screens are encouraged to make a concerted effort towards greater equity in their processes, either by electing to remove additional screens now, or implementing a Diversity in Admissions priority.
                 Approximately 100 NYC public schools currently prioritize targeted groups of students
                 including,  but not limited to, low-income students, English Language Learners, and students in
​                 temporary housing. We invite more schools to expand access to students of all backgrounds.
 For those high schools that maintain academic screens, a combination of 2018-2019 state tests, the previous years’ grades, and/or other measures will be used depending on school-established criteria.
 Schools will be required to publicly publish their academic screening criteria on MySchools.

Beyond geographic priorities and academically screened schools, the city is also home to the Specialized High Schools. The DOE is required by State law to administer the Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT) for admissions to these schools. To ensure health and safety of our staff and students, the SHSAT exam will be administered in students’ own middle schools to reduce travel and different cohorts of students. Registration for the test opens on Monday, December 21, 2020 and ends on January 15, 2021. Test administration will begin in late January.

Why we are making changes?

As Chancellor, it is my responsibility to deliver the highest-quality education possible to each of your children, so that they are prepared for a successful, productive life, and empowered with the skills they need to chase their dreams. We must continue this work against the backdrop of inequities in our City and in our school system that have been exacerbated this year by the disproportionate impact the COVID-19 health crisis has had on communities of color, immigrant families, and on students whose parents never had the option to work from home.

While there is more to do to keep driving toward their mission, these adjustments to admissions respond to the challenges we face as a system. They address the concerns of families, students, and leaders of screened schools the ways screens are an obstacle for many students to an education that would serve them well. So we are taking action.

We will provide guidance and a variety of new resources in our schools and offices to help you navigate the process and find an excellent high school for your student. You can get started by visiting schools.nyc.gov/high to learn more about the process, and myschools.nyc to set up your MySchools account to be ready when the application period opens. Do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s school counselor—they will be your guide throughout the process. You can also contact a Family Welcome Center (learn how at schools.nyc.gov/welcomecenters) or call 718-935-2009.

These changes show that our values can become action, and that no policy, or way of doing things, is so entrenched that it cannot be revised in the name of serving all our children. We believe in schools that deliver equal opportunity to all students to the best education possible. We know there’s more to do, so we will initiate further talks with school communities to help inform the use of screens past September 2021.

I want to thank all of you for your collaboration. We are united in our mission to make sure your child—and every one of their 1.1 million peers—receives the best education possible in the greatest city in the world. 
​
Sincerely,
Richard A. Carranza
Chancellor
New York City Department of Education

To view a copy of this document in your language please, visit schools.nyc.gov/messagesforfamilies

Middle School Information

                                                                                                                                                  December 18, 2020
Dear Families,

This has been a year of new challenges and difficult choices, testing our collective strength and endurance as we have faced the unknown together. We have had to reinvent the building blocks of public education in the nation’s largest school system, from how to “go to class,” to grading policy, attendance, and everything in between.

Today I am writing with an update on another fundamental pillar of your child’s education: enrolling in middle school for next September. I want to thank you for your patience as we have worked for months to talk to families and conduct careful analysis to develop a new middle school admissions policy that meets this challenging moment. This new policy will better support your child’s learning journey, and that of their fellow 70,000 fifth graders, as we look ahead to Fall 2021.

We have made some changes to the middle school enrollment process this year. This year’s middle school application will open the week of January 11. New York City Department of Education (DOE) middle schools will not use academic records, auditions, or other screens or assessments to evaluate or admit students this year. Schools will maintain priority for students living in the district, because we heard from families across the city that they want to attend middle school closer to home. If a school has more applicants than available seats, offers will be made using a random lottery. In a small number of schools that have launched their own Diversity in Admissions pilots, they will admit priority groups of students first based on their school plans.

Here is why.

New York City is home to nearly 200 middle schools—40% of all middle schools—that “screen” students for admission using academic records, auditions, attendance, discipline records, special assessments, interviews, or other measures. They’ve historically used these academic and other records from a student’s fourth grade to determine if they’re suitable for entry to the school.

This year, we do not have much of this typical screening information because of the effects of the pandemic. The State did not administer standardized tests for fourth graders last year. The grading policy required revision to meet the unprecedented ending to the last school year. Attendance and other key policies shifted to accommodate the circumstances families were enduring because of the pandemic. Generally speaking, the measures these screened schools traditionally relied on for making admissions decisions are no longer available.

What’s more, as Chancellor, it is my responsibility to deliver the highest-quality education possible to each of your children, so that they are prepared for a successful, productive life, and empowered with the skills they need to chase their dreams. There are inequities in our City and in our school system that have been exacerbated this year by the disproportionate impact the COVID-19 health crisis has had on our communities of color, our immigrant families, the students whose parents never had the option to work from home, and more. When I’ve spoken to families, students, and leaders of screened schools about potential changes, they have articulated the ways these policies can be an obstacle to that goal for many students, because the screening criteria can be so closely connected to a student’s housing stability and economic status.

That is why, now more than ever, it is so important to deliver the proven benefits of more inclusive classrooms to our students. Inclusive learning environments are proven to encourage the development of critical thinking skills. They are linked to long-term success and life opportunities and lead to higher graduation achievement and better access to social and professional networks for more students.

In effect, screening fifth graders without data, especially in a year as challenging as this one, is unfair, unequal, and untenable to continue.

This is not the first time this approach has been implemented. Removing screens from middle schools has been successful in districts that have already begun this work, like in Brooklyn’s District 15. Simplifying the admissions process and making our city fairer is the right thing to do for students, families and schools, particularly this year.

We will provide guidance and a variety of fresh new resources in our schools and offices to help you navigate the process and find an excellent middle school for your student. You can get started by visiting schools.nyc.gov/middleschools.nyc.gov/middle
to learn more about the process, and MySchools.nyMySchools.nycc to set up your MySchools account to
be ready when the application period opens. Do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s school counselor—they will be your guide throughout the process. You can also contact a Family Welcome Center (learn how at schools.nyc.gov/WelcomeCenter schools.nyc.gov/WelcomeCenterss) or call 718-935-2009.

This change shows that our values can become action, and that no policy, or way of doing things, is so entrenched that it cannot be revised in the name of serving all our children. We believe in schools that serve all children, and a system that delivers equal opportunity to the best education possible. We know there’s more to do, so we will initiate further talks with school communities to help inform the use of screens past September 2021. 

I want to thank all of you—from the students and families who have been fighting for this for years, to those of you who are approaching middle school admissions for the first time through your child’s upcoming enrollment—for your collaboration. We are united in our mission to make sure your child—and every one of their 1.1 million peers—receives the best education possible in the greatest city in the world. 

Sincerely,
Richard A. Carranza
Chancellor
New York City Department of Education

To view a copy of this document in your language please, visit schools.nyc.gov/messagesforfamilies​


The High School Welcome letters with information to create your MySchool account are being mailed home beginning 12/14!!! Please look for the letter in your regular mail. Each welcome letter has instructions on how to add yourself to your MySchools account using your unique account creation code in preparation for the high school process. As a reminder, the high school application and Specialized High Schools registration are NOT yet open and will NOT be open when welcome letters become available. -You will be notified when registration and the application are opened. If you should need assistance once you receive the letter or have any questions,  you can contact the guidance counselors: Ms. Grevstad at CGrevstad@schools.nyc.gov or Ms. Lavalle at KLavall@schools.nyc.gov or the Parent Coordinator at DHochrad@schools.nyc.gov



A Message from the Bronx High School of Science
Visit our Admissions page bxscience.edu/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=219378&type=d&termREC_ID=&pREC_ID=440803&hideMenu=0          where we have created a virtual Open House.  We hope this video will give you some sense of what makes Bronx Science unique and will help prospective students and their families picture what the school is all about.
Also on the Admissions page link is a form for current 8th graders to ask a question to Bronx Science students.  8th graders can use this form to enter their questions and Bronx Science students will get back to them. We encourage the student to be the one to ask the questions. Please give our students a few days to respond.  And prospective parents/guardians can ask questions of Bronx Science parents through the Parents' Association.
If you have any questions, please contact our parent coordinator, Ms. Golan golanc@bxscience.edu
​



Our official flyer is coming soon, but this is the information for now so you can save the date! We will be hosting a Parent/Counselor Information Session for students with IEPs who would like to apply.  We have no information about admissions yet, but we would love to tell you more about our program. Please share.  Thank you!

Instructional Support Services for Students with IEPs @ Townsend Harris High School Please join us on Thursday, December 10th  Instructional Support Services for Students with IEPs | Information Session 6:30pm - 7:30pm  Via Google Meets Meeting ID: meet.google.com/fik-qdin-jdv Phone Number: (‪US‬)‪+1 704-621-4514‬ PIN: ‪230 676 381#‬
Kindly RSVP to Georgia Brandeis @ [goog_1234000213] https://forms.gle/JkFwVdwr6gmaXmRU9   Townsend Harris is proud to provide an inclusive educational program for eligible students with disabilities. We offer a full ICT (Integrated Co-Teaching) program for the four core classes, and embed specially designed instruction into our curriculum to meet the needs of diverse learners.  Highly motivated students who require accommodations, related services, special classroom supports or assistive technology, and have unique management needs as outlined in their IEP, can apply to the school and receive individualized care from our team of Instructional Support Specialists.  These supports are provided in our rigorous general education classes, all of which are Honors or AP level.  Students are included in all school activities.   Students who are interested in a challenging program of study including honors and advanced placement courses, but require such supports, will find that Townsend Harris HS offers the best of both worlds.  Our team will work closely with parents throughout the child’s time at Townsend Harris to ensure their needs are being met and that they are on track to successfully graduate high school and attend competitive colleges.   Join us on December 10th to discuss our program and to have your questions answered!   Offerings: ICT, SETSS, Advisory, Related Services, Assistive Technology. Wheelchair accessible. We pride ourselves on never running out of ideas for how to support your child.

🌻Georgia Giannikouris Brandeis Assistant Principal, Instructional Support Services & World Languages Townsend Harris High School Tel: 718-575-5580 Ext. 5051 Fax: 929-398-3435 gbrandeis@townsendharris.org ggiannikouris@schools.nyc.gov



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Hello 8th Graders! We know there have been many questions about the High School Application process this year. Please know that as soon as we receive information from High School Enrollment, we will let you know. We will be posting information on the 8th Grade Google Classroom and on our school's website.  
Sincerely your Guidance Counselors, Ms. Grevstad and Ms. LaValle 

 Ms. Grevstad 
801, 802, 822, 824, 832, 891 
 (929)279-2691 
Cgrevstad@schools.nyc.gov 
 Ms.LaValle 
831, 833, 821, 823, 825, 892 
(929)282-0258 
klavall@schools.nyc.gov







​
​

  High School Admissions Guide                                                                              
                          NYC Guide to the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test
Please see the link below to the NYC High School Admissions Guide/ Specialized High school Guide.
-The high school application is not yet open, and no longer closes on December 4, 2020. You will have additional time to apply.
-Registration for Specialized High Schools admissions is not yet open, and no longer closes on October 21, 2020. You will have additional time to register.

If you would like a hard copy of the High School Admissions Guide they are available at  the school building for you to pick up.  The same digital copy is in the link below.

Please start to research schools that you are interested in using the Admissions Guide, High School Websites and MySchools.

https://www.schools.nyc.gov/docs/default-source/default-document-library/2021-high-school-and-specialized-high-schools-admissions-guide----guide-to-the-shsat
https://www.myschools.nyc/en/schools/high-school/

***HIGH SCHOOL APPLICATION AND SHSAT UPDATE** The high school application is NOT yet open, and no longer closes on December 4, 2020. Families will have additional time to apply. Once we are given the dates from High School Enrollment and how to apply,  we will let you know.
​
Registration for the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT) and LaGuardia High School auditions are NOT yet open, and no longer close on October 21, 2020. Families  will have additional time to register. Once we are given the dates from High School Enrollment and information on how to register, we will let you know.







**Virtual Career and Technical Education (CTE) High School Fair***
                                        Registration is required to attend. Please see links below.

The DOE will host citywide Virtual Career and Technical Education (CTE) High School. Fairs on multiple dates between Monday, November 16 to Saturday, December 5, 2020. These virtual events will provide middle school students, parents, guardians, and families an opportunity to interact with leaders and students from CTE schools and programs.  The events will also showcase industry and college partners collaborating with CTE programs. ​The virtual CTE HS fairs will include programs that provide pathways to success in the following

Automotive and Transport
Business and Finance
Construction and Sustainability
Culinary Arts, Hospitality and Tourism
Engineering, Architecture and Robotics
Healthcare
Information Technology
Law and Public Safety
Media Technology and Design
 
For questions, email CTENYC@schools.nyc.gov.


http://cte.nyc/web/

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JuEqEcE-pNyY9slVce-yPCBvJd0qa9DP/view

http://cte.nyc/web/events/cte-virtual-high-school-fairs-2020



​
While we wait for more information, here are some resources you can start to look over.

schools.nyc.gov/SignUp 

schools.nyc.gov/HSVideos

schools.nyc.gov/High

schools.nyc.gov/HSVideos


MySchools


High School Admissions Video Series: The first three videos of this series are posted online at schools.nyc.gov/HSVideos. Families and school counselors will be able to access these videos, which will include translations in the nine DOE languages. More videos will be released on a rolling basis throughout the summer. This video series will cover how to participate in high school and specialized high schools admissions, what students can do this summer, what to expect this fall, how to build a balanced application, how to use MySchools throughout the process, and more. The first three videos explain the basics of the high school admissions process and what families can do over the summer.

2021 High School Admissions Guide: The 2021 High School Admissions Guide is now available as PDFs here: schools.nyc.gov/High. Families and school counselors can access these PDFs in English and the nine DOE languages.





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Learn more at schools.nyc.gov/High
Sign up for email alerts at schools.nyc.gov/Connect
Call 718-935-2009 anytime with question

Register online and learn more about each event at schools.nyc.gov/High
 
             
 
​High School News​    ​schools.nyc.gov/ChoicesEnrollment/High/default.htm***HIGH SCHOOL APPLICATION AND SHSAT UPDATE** The high school application is NOT yet open, and no longer closes on December 4, 2020. Families will have additional time to apply. Once we are given the dates from High School Enrollment and how to apply,  we will let you know. Registration for the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT) and LaGuardia High School auditions are NOT yet open, and no longer close on October 21, 2020. Families  will have additional time to register. Once we are given the dates from High School Enrollment and information on how to register, we will let you know.

​  schools.nyc.gov/ChoicesEnrollment/High/specialized/default.htm