CPS has 11 selective enrollment high schools which provide academically advanced students with a challenging college preparatory experience. Applicants can apply to up to 6 of these programs. Seats are limited and admission is highly competitive.

The 11 Selective Enrollment High Schools are: Brooks, Hancock, Jones, King, Lane Tech, Lindblom, Northside, South Shore, Walter Payton, Westinghouse, & Whitney Young.

For the 2025-2026 school year, the admissions process for the Selective Enrollment High Schools consisted of two 450 point parts (900 total points).

The two parts were:

• 7th grade grades in Reading, Math, Science and Social Studies, out of a possible 450 points

• CPS High School Admissions Test, out of a possible 450 points

Each school had cut off scores to determine admission. See attached chart.

CPS has not announced requirements yet for the 2026-2027 school year. Many believe admissions will be determined the same way as this past school year.

Career Technical Education (CTE), International Baccalaureate (IB), Lincoln Park Double Hours Program, and Senn Fine Arts. Refer to GoCPS.edu for more specific details about various programs.

All CPS 8th graders will take the High School Admissions Test in October at their respective schools during a school day in October. Exact date not released yet.

Non CPS 8th graders interested in attending a CPS High School will take the test on a Saturday in October. Dates yet to be released.

CPS does NOT recommend, endorse, or provide study guides, test preparation courses, or sample tests/questions for the CPS High School Admissions exam.

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Currently, I have former HSAT prep course students enrolled at Walter Payton, Northside College Prep, Lane Tech, Whitney Young, Taft IB Program, and Amundsen IB Program.