Lindblom Math and Science Academy: A Closer Look at One of Chicago’s Top Selective Enrollment High Schools

Leading up to the PreACT 9 this October, Test Prep Chicago will feature all eleven CPS selective enrollment high schools and some top AP, IB, and Honors high school programs in Chicago, breaking down each program and what makes them unique on our blog. This week, we're spotlighting Robert Lindblom Math and Science Academy.

Lindblom stands out for its combination of rigorous academics, STEM education, and unique world language opportunities. Located on Chicago's South Side, the school is known for its focus on math and science, though it also provides opportunities for students to explore technology, the arts, languages, and career-focused programs. 

One of Lindblom's greatest strengths is its advanced academic program. The school offers a rigorous curriculum with Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses across various subjects. Students can pursue advanced coursework in areas including math, science, English, social studies, world languages, and computer science. Lindblom has a strong STEM focus through its Biotechnology Center of Excellence, which gives students opportunities to explore biotechnology and lab science. For students interested in technology and engineering, Lindblom offers career and technical education pathways in Computer Networking, Game Programming and Web Development, Pre-Engineering, and a Teaching Academy. These programs allow students to connect classroom learning with practical skills and explore potential career interests before applying to university.

Beyond academics, Lindblom provides students with a wide range of extracurricular activities. Students can participate in academic organizations such as math team, science club, technology club, debate, journalism, chess, and yearbook, as well as service and leadership opportunities. The arts are another important part of the school community, with opportunities including band, orchestra, choir, dance, photography, graphic design, painting, ceramics, and theater. Lindblom also offers a broad athletics program, with sports including football, basketball, baseball, soccer, volleyball, swimming, water polo, wrestling, golf, tennis, bowling, cross country, and track and field.

With its combination of selective enrollment academics, advanced coursework, specialized STEM programs, distinctive language opportunities, career-focused pathways, and diverse extracurricular activities, Lindblom offers students many ways to challenge themselves and discover their interests. It is a particularly strong fit for students drawn to math, science, technology, and engineering, but its arts, languages, athletics, and humanities opportunities make it much more than a STEM-focused school.

Admission to Lindblom is competitive and based on seventh-grade core grades and the new PreACT 9. If your student is interested in attending Lindblom 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!

Learn More About Hancock College Prep: What Makes this Selective Enrollment High School Unique?

Leading up to the PreACT 9, Test Prep Chicago will be featuring all eleven CPS selective enrollment high schools and some top AP, IB, and Honors high school programs in Chicago, breaking down each program and what makes them unique on our blog. This week, we're spotlighting Hancock College Preparatory High School.

Hancock College Preparatory High School is one of Chicago's selective enrollment high schools. Located in the Clearing neighborhood on Chicago's south side, Hancock is recognized for its rigorous academics, strong college preparatory curriculum, and commitment to helping students succeed in college and beyond. The school provides a supportive learning environment where students are encouraged to challenge themselves academically while developing the skills needed for future success.

Students at Hancock have access to a wide selection of Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses, including participation in the AP Capstone Diploma Program, allowing them to engage in college-level coursework across a variety of subject areas. In addition to its AP offerings, Hancock provides Dual Credit and Dual Enrollment opportunities through City Colleges of Chicago, giving students the chance to earn college credit while still in high school. The school also offers courses in STEM, world languages, fine arts, and a variety of electives that allow students to explore their academic interests. Beyond the classroom, students can participate in numerous extracurricular activities, including academic clubs, student organizations, performing arts, and IHSA athletics, giving them opportunities to develop leadership skills, collaborate with peers, and pursue their passions.

One of Hancock's distinctive academic opportunities is its participation in Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS), a nationally recognized program that allows students to work on engineering and design projects that address real-world needs in their communities. Combined with its challenging coursework and college-focused curriculum, these experiences help prepare students for a wide range of future academic and career pathways.

Hancock attracts motivated students with diverse interests and aspirations, from future engineers, scientists, healthcare professionals, and educators to artists, entrepreneurs, and business leaders. The school's emphasis on academic excellence, critical thinking, and college readiness creates an environment where students are encouraged to reach their full potential while preparing for success after graduation.

Admission to Hancock is competitive and based on seventh-grade core grades and the new PreACT 9. If your student is interested in attending Hancock 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!

Upcoming Open Houses for Selective Enrollment High Schools

 With so many high school options across Chicago, choosing the right fit can feel overwhelming for students. While online resources (like this page on our website) can provide helpful information about each school's location, strengths, and academic and extracurricular offerings, visiting a school in person can offer valuable insight into its culture and community. For students applying to Selective Enrollment High Schools, as well as certain Catholic and Independent schools, open houses are a great way to connect with administrators and current students, explore available programs, and tour the campus and classrooms.  

This year, many Selective Enrollment High Schools are holding their open houses in October and November. Find a list of open houses and descriptions of their events in order of occurrence, below:

Hancock Selective Enrollment High School
Date: Saturday, October 18
Time: 10am to 1pm

Whitney Young Selective Enrollment High School
Date: Sunday, October 19
Time: 12:30pm to 4pm
Description: At Whitney Young's open house, high school presentations and tours will run every thirty minutes until 2:45pm. There will also be a presentation for students with disabilities at 2pm.

South Shore Selective Enrollment High School
Date: Thursday, October 23
Time: 5pm to 7pm
Description: Current South Shore students, faculty, and staff will welcome prospective students at their open house. The visit will be very interactive, including campus tours, Q&A's, and a club and activity fair. South Shore's IB program and Medical and Business program will also be introduced to prospective students.

Jones Selective Enrollment High School
Date: Saturday, October 25
Time: 10am to 3pm

King Selective Enrollment High School
Date: Saturday, October 25
Time: 10am to 1pm
Description: At King College Prep's open house, students will learn about the school, its program offerings, and its environment. Two presentations will be held at 10am and 11:30am, followed by student-led tours.

Westinghouse Selective Enrollment High School
Date: Saturday, November 1
Time: 10am to 1pm

Brooks Selective Enrollment High School
Date: Saturday, November 1
Time: 12pm to 3pm

Lane Tech Selective Enrollment High School
Date: Saturday, November 1
Time: 12pm to 2:30pm
Description: Lane Tech will be hosting an open house on November 1st. The first presentation will be held at 12pm, with presentations occurring approximately every 35 minutes. The last presentation will be at 2:20pm, and will be followed by tours led by current students.

Note that the other Selective Enrollment High Schools have already held their open houses. Walter Payton held theirs on Saturday, September 27 from 9am to 1pm, Northside College Prep’s was on Sunday, October 5 from 10am to 1pm, and Lindblom’s was on Saturday, October 11 from 10am to 11:30am.

If you are interested in checking out a neighborhood CPS school, families can check out the calendar of open houses for all CPS high schools here. Families interested in looking into non-CPS schools can look into Chicago School GPS's open house and school tour calendar here.

If your student is hoping to attend a selective enrollment high school, Catholic high school, or private high school, high test scores are a must. Through group courses (click here), 1-day workshops (click here), or personalized one-on-one tutoring (click here), our programs help to prepare students for the CPS HSAT through full-length practice exams, targeted homework assignments, and expert test-taking strategies. We continually update our materials based on student feedback and evolving exam trends.

How Selective Enrollment Schools Use the CPS HSAT: Why It Matters & What It Tests

For students applying to Chicago's selective enrollment high schools, the CPS High School Admissions Test (CPS HSAT) is a major factor that is worth 50% of the total admission score. CPS uses a 900-point system to evaluate applicants: 450 points from 7th grade grades in core classes (reading, math, science, and social studies), and 450 from the CPS HSAT. That means doing well on the test can significantly impact whether a student receives an offer from a top selective enrollment high school.

The CPS HSAT is taken in the fall of a student's 8th grade year and includes two main sections: math and reading comprehension. It is a timed, multiple-choice test, 1-hour in length, that is administered digitally at the student's school (if they are a CPS student) or at a CPS-designated test center (if they are a non-CPS student). The math section includes algebra, data analysis, number operations, geometry, and problem-solving, while the reading section focuses on comprehension, vocabulary in context, and inference-based questions. There is no penalty for wrong answers, so students should be prepared to strategically guess if necessary.

Because students come from so many different schools and grading systems, the CPS HSAT serves as a standardized way for selective enrollment high schools to compare applicants across the city. It's not just about content knowledge, but also about how well students manage time and pressure. That's why preparation matters.

At Test Prep Chicago, we prepare students for every topic covered on the CPS HSAT. Our group courses (click here), 1-day workshops (click here) and individual tutoring sessions (click here) include full-length practice tests, targeted homework, and supplemental materials designed to strengthen skills and build confidence over time. Our tutors teach proven test-taking strategies, time-management techniques, and pacing skills to help students stay sharp and focused on test day. By conducting exit interviews with students after they take the real exam, we are able to ensure our practice materials are constantly updated to reflect the latest test trends and content. 

If you're looking for supporting and strategic preparation for the CPS HSAT, TPC Is the place to start.

Questions? Contact zoe@testprepchicago.com.

CPS Selective Enrollment Process: What You Need To Know

The Selective Enrollment High School (SEHS) admissions process for Chicago Public Schools (CPS) uses students' High School Admissions Test (HSAT) scores and final 7th grade scores in math, English, science, and social studies to determine eligibility. Each applicant is ranked using this criteria to match students with the highest-ranked school on their GoCPS application that still has available seats.

Admission begins by awarding the top 30% of seats to students with the highest overall points, regardless of socioeconomic tier. The remaining 70% of seats are evenly divided among four tier groups, with placement based on point rankings within each tier.

Students can receive only one selective enrollment offer—their highest-ranked match. Once offered a seat, they are removed from consideration for all lower-ranked programs and cannot be waitlisted for any selective enrollment programs, even if ranked higher. If no offer is made, students are waitlisted for all eligible programs to which they have applied. Tiebreakers are applied in this order: HSAT Math score, then HSAT Reading score, and finally, a computerized random lottery.

We offer 8-week group courses to prepare students for the CPS High School Admissions Test (HSAT), Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE), and Parochial School Entrance Exam (HSPT). Our course prepares students for these tests by focusing on math, reading comprehension, and test-taking strategies. To register your student for one of our courses, click here. We also offer 1-day palooza workshops where students can take a practice exam and review the answers with a skilled instructor. To register your student for one of our paloozas, click here. Finally, we offer individual tutoring, which can begin at any time. You can see our tutoring rates by clicking here. 

CPS School Budget Review

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) recently released school-level budgets, giving principals and Local School Councils only two weeks to review and approve them—a shorter timeline than usual. These budgets are based on the district’s most optimistic deficit projection of $229 million, which assumes the city will provide $300 million in new funding through either state support or tax-increment financing (TIF). However, CPS also presented two worse-case scenarios, with deficits reaching $529 million and $734 million, potentially requiring the layoff of up to 3,000 school staff. Notably, the projections do not include expected additional costs such as principal contracts or pension payments.

This has led to growing concern among school leaders. The Chicago Principals and Administrators Association criticized the budgets as misleading, warning that schools may have to cut staff over the summer when actual finances become clearer. Despite CPS's recent shift away from student-based budgeting toward a need-focused model using the Opportunity Index, even high-need schools are facing significant cuts. For instance, a north side high school that climbed in the index rankings is still losing substantial flexible funds and several staff positions.

Meanwhile, CEO Pedro Martinez is set to depart on June 18, leaving his successor to manage these financial challenges. Community engagement efforts are underway to help guide the search for the next CPS leader. CPS and the Alma Advisory Group have launched a series of public meetings to gather feedback on what qualities the new leader should have. Many attendees have voiced a preference for someone with strong ties to CPS and formal superintendent credentials.

These sessions mark an important moment for public involvement in CPS governance, especially as Chicago still lacks a fully elected school board. While some question the effectiveness of these meetings, turnout by local officials and community members suggests growing interest in shaping the district’s future. A separate event by Kids First Chicago offered a more direct line of communication with board members, allowing the public to raise concerns and engage personally with district leadership.

Chicago Board of Education to Hire New CEO

The Chicago Board of Education has begun its search for a replacement CEO following the removal of Pedro Martinez who is set to depart in June. Martinez was terminated in December of 2024 after disputes with Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson’s newly appointed board. Because his termination comes without cause, his contract entitled him to maintain his position for an additional 6 months.

Applications opened on April 25 as the board actively seeks to find a new CEO. Board President Sean Harden stated, “We are seeking a leader who will think boldly, embrace innovation, and build an equitable, student-centered future.”

The first of ten public engagement meetings began on Thursday, May 15th, encouraging community engagement. Once the meetings have concluded, the board is set to create a “leadership profile” to determine the qualifications and qualities desired in the next CEO. This will be used to evaluate candidates as the board works with a search firm to fill the position.

Kayley Horton, Tutoring Coordinator
kayley@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266

New Illinois Education Association Survey

According to a new poll released by the Illinois Education Association (IEA), public school funding is a concern for many Illinois residents. The poll, which was conducted on over 1,000 people cites 83% of individuals believe that funding education is an important issue within their community and 16% of individuals believe it is the single most important issue. Of those surveyed, 71% believe Illinois should increase its funding for public schools. Chicago and surrounding suburban residents account for 40% of those surveyed.

This survey illuminates the public perception of the Illinois public school system at large. Overall, Illinois residents have a negative opinion of the state’s public education. IEA’s President, Kathi Griffin claims that 62% of residents think “the state is on the wrong track” concerning public school education. When asked to compare the quality of public schools nationally versus those in Illinois, residents were more likely to give Illinois schools a failing status.

Though many concerns were raised regarding the Illinois public education system, residents have a much higher opinion of teachers as individuals. Around 58% of residents had positive statements about teachers, believing they are underpaid for the necessary work they do. This sentiment is echoed as many individuals believe teachers should be the ones developing standards for students in the public school system. The Illinois Education Association hopes this new information will propel lawmakers to implement changes regarding the funding of Illinois public schools.

Kayley Horton, Tutoring Coordinator
kayley@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266

CPS Application Result Dates Announced

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has released information regarding application result dates and wait-listing for students applying to choice and selective enrollment schools. Applicants can receive up to one offer for choice and selective enrollment programs. Students applying for high schools (9th grade) will receive their results on March 14th while elementary students from grades K-8 will receive their results on April 11th.

Once results have been released, a rolling waitlist for non-admitted students will be set up.  Students offered placement at schools will be given a deadline to decide at which point students on the waitlist will be offered spots accordingly.

Additional deadlines for students who have not yet tested should be noted. Selective enrollment students should request a rescheduled date by February 2nd. The final SEES testing date for 1st-8th graders is February 16th and Kindergarten students will have until February 21st.

Kayley Horton, Tutoring Coordinator
kayley@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266

CPS and Catholic School Application Process

CPS Applications

All high school and elementary students who wish to apply to CPS schools outside of their neighborhood must apply through GoCPS. Families are required to rank their top choice schools and apply by the extended deadline of December 15th at 5:00 PM. The ranking process requires applicants to order their top 20 choice programs or top 6 selective enrollment schools. Applicants can be offered one choice school option and one selective enrollment option.  Students applying to selective enrollment schools or academic centers are required to participate in the testing requirements while all other applicants will be chosen via an independent lottery system or audition process. All offers will be announced in the spring of 2025.

Catholic School Applications

Students looking to test into Catholic Schools are required to complete their applications prior to the coming holiday break. While most students have already completed the required testing for exams, all remaining application requirements must be completed in the coming weeks to be considered for the 2025-26 school year. Students who were unable to test on their originally scheduled test date will be able to attend a make-up test on December 14th at specific schools such as St. Patrick’s and De La Salle.

Kayley Horton, Tutoring Coordinator
kayley@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266