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To apply to a Selective Enrollment school, students must:
While prior cycles also considered NWEA MAP scores, the current model relies solely on these two components.
The 2024 scores also serve as a roadmap for future applicants. They emphasize the critical importance of consistency. Unlike systems that might rely heavily on a single test, the CPS composite method rewards sustained academic performance over time. The updated scores suggest that schools are increasingly looking for well-rounded academic profiles rather than just one-time testing prowess. For the district, the persistent high cutoffs signal a need for expansion. As long as the cutoff scores for the top schools require near-perfection, there is a clear argument for expanding the capacity of these programs or replicating their rigorous curriculums in neighborhood schools to alleviate the bottleneck.
April 2024 (Updated) Subject: Analysis of Tier-Based Cutoff Scores for the 2024 Admissions Cycle cps selective enrollment cutoff scores 20242024 updated
These schools historically require the highest scores and typically see little variation year-over-year.
: Evaluates Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, and Language/Grammar mechanics across three subsections.
Cutoff scores—now officially referred to by CPS as "Initial Offer Point Totals"—represent the lowest score that received an initial offer for a specific program. Chicago Public Schools Elite Tier Cutoffs : Schools such as Walter Payton Whitney Young To apply to a Selective Enrollment school, students
Disclaimer: These scores represent the 2024 admissions cycle for the 2024-2025 school year. CPS reserves the right to change the admissions formula, test weighting, or tier boundaries for the 2025-2026 cycle. Always check the official CPS Office of Access & Enrollment website for application deadlines.
Note: While "2024 updated" is a common search term, these are the cut scores for the academic year 2024-2025 (admissions round completed in Spring 2024).
To prevent elite schools from drawing exclusively from high-income neighborhoods, CPS utilizes a specialized equity algorithm to distribute available seats. Every residential address in Chicago is classified into one of four socioeconomic tiers (Tier 1 through Tier 4) based on census data parameters such as median family income, adult education levels, and neighborhood homeownership rates. Unlike systems that might rely heavily on a
To help me tailor advice for your family's upcoming application journey, tell me: What is your current or neighborhood? Which specific high schools are at the top of your list? What are your current 7th-grade core grades looking like? Share public link
Do not rely on the waitlist. Assume the initial cutoff is the final cutoff.
A single "B" in a core subject drops a student's starting score by 37.5 points, highlighting why straight-A averages are practically mandatory for the top-ranking schools. 2. The CPS High School Admissions Test / HSAT (450 Points)