Lane Tech College Prep: A Closer Look at One of Chicago’s Top Selective Enrollment High Schools
Leading up to the PreACT 9 this October, Test Prep Chicago is spotlighting all eleven CPS selective enrollment high schools, along with some of the city's top AP, IB, and Honors programs, right here on our blog. This week, we're taking a closer look at Lane Tech College Prep.
Lane Tech stands out for its blend of rigorous academics, an enormous course catalog, strong STEM offerings, and one of the broadest extracurricular programs in Chicago. Located on the North Side, the school has built its reputation on a strong college-prep curriculum paired with real room for students to explore.
Academically, Lane Tech offers an incredible breadth of courses. Students can take Honors and AP courses across math, science, English, social studies, computer science, world languages, and the arts, plus electives that stretch well beyond the standard curriculum, including psychology, economics, engineering, and environmental science.
For STEM-minded students, Lane Tech is especially strong. The school offers courses in engineering, robotics, computer science, programming, and digital design, along with specialized STEM pathways for students who want to go further in math, science, and tech.
World languages are another highlight of the high school experience at Lane. Students can choose from Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, and Arabic, with Honors and AP-level coursework available in several, giving students a chance to build fluency while exploring new cultures.
Outside the classroom, Lane Tech's extracurricular scene is impressive. Students can get involved in academic competitions, debate, journalism, student government, Model UN, and more. The arts have a strong presence, with programs in visual art, photography, ceramics, band, orchestra, choir, theatre, and creative writing. Athletics round things out, with teams in football, basketball, baseball, soccer, volleyball, softball, swimming, wrestling, tennis, golf, bowling, and cross country.
Between the academics, the STEM and tech programs, the language offerings, and the sheer range of activities, Lane Tech gives students an unusually broad high school experience. This is a big reason the school remains one of Chicago's most sought-after selective enrollment programs. It's a great fit for students who want a serious academic challenge and strong STEM options, while still having the opportunity to explore creatively.
Admission to Lane Tech is competitive and based on seventh-grade core grades and the new PreACT 9. If your student is interested in attending Lane or another selective enrollment high school, Test Prep Chicago can help your student prepare for the new PreACT 9, helping them develop the knowledge, skills, and strategies needed to succeed. As a licensed participant in the NTPA ACT Affiliate Tutor Program, we had been aware of the change from the CPS HSAT to the PreACT 9, and our team had already begun creating new PreACT 9 Secure curriculum. As such, students enrolled or looking to enroll in any courses or one-day workshops, or students beginning individual tutoring, can be assured that the content and test-taking strategies they are being taught will reflect the content seen on the new exam. All of our scheduled courses (sign up here) and one-day Palooza workshops (sign up here) will continue to run as planned, as will our individual tutoring sessions (sign up here), with the new PreACT 9 Secure content and test-taking strategies instead of the old CPS HSAT curriculum. Sign up now to help your student prepare!