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King College Prep: Learn More About This Chicago Selective Enrollment High School!
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 Martin Luther King Jr. College Preparatory High School.
King College Prep stands out for its commitment to academic excellence, leadership development, and student engagement. Located in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood, the school has built a reputation for preparing students not only for college but also for meaningful careers and life as active citizens. Its mission emphasizes academic growth, leadership, and social responsibility, creating an environment where students are encouraged to challenge themselves both inside and outside the classroom.
One of the school's greatest strengths is its rigorous academic program. King College Prep offers a comprehensive college prep curriculum, including honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses across a wide range of subjects. Students can take AP classes in disciplines such as English, math, science, social studies, world languages, and the arts, giving them opportunities to earn college credit while developing the study skills and critical thinking needed to succeed once they reach the university level. The school also offers career and technical education pathways, including Architectural Drafting, Computer Programming, Digital Media, and Project Lead the Way Pre-Engineering, allowing students to gain practical, career-focused experience before graduation. This makes King an ideal school for students sure of their future field of study or career path who are looking for the opportunity to grow and gain experience during high school. It is also an ideal program for students looking to experiment with a wide variety of subjects and potential careers before applying to colleges. King also offers inclusive special education services designed to maintain a strong college prep focus.
Beyond traditional academics, King College Prep provides students with diverse learning opportunities and extracurricular programs that support creativity and personal growth. The school's arts programs include band, jazz band, drama, choir, dance, piano, visual arts, graphic design, photography, AP Studio Art, and Art History. Students also have access to world language courses in French, Spanish, and American Sign Language (ASL), and academic organizations such as the math team, debate team, National Honor Society, science club, and philosophy club. Leadership opportunities are available through student council, peer leaders, and community service initiatives, while cultural organizations celebrate diversity and encourage civic engagement. All of these extracurricular opportunities allow students to learn valuable skills, cultivate friendships, and develop an acute awareness of their own interests and strengths.
Admission to King is competitive and based on seventh-grade core grades and the new PreACT 9. If your student is interested in attending King 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!
All About George Westinghouse College Prep: What You Need to Know About This Selective Enrollment High School
Located in the heart of Chicago’s West Side, Westinghouse has carved out a distinctive identity, merging strong academics with real-world career readiness, developed within a community-driven environment that reflects the city’s diversity. Originally established in the 1930s as a vocational school, Westinghouse has undergone a dramatic transformation over the years. In 2009, a state-of-the-art facility opened, symbolizing a new chapter for the school as a modern college preparatory institution with a selective enrollment program. Today, Westinghouse stands as a hybrid model: one part selective enrollment college prep, and one part career and technical education (CTE) pathways. This dual-track approach makes it extremely unique among Chicago's elite public high schools, offering a broader range of options for students with different post-graduation goals.
What sets Westinghouse apart is its commitment to rigor and hands-on training. While the selective enrollment track challenges high-achieving students with honors and Advanced Placement courses beginning in their freshman year, the school also invests heavily in its career programs. Students in the CTE track can pursue pathways in fields like medical sciences, business, information technology, and broadcasting, where they can gain hands-on experience, industry credentials, and even early college credit. It’s a structure designed to meet students where they are, whether they’re aiming for Ivy League schools or direct entry into a professional career. This makes Westinghouse an ideal school for a student who is dedicated to their academics and extracurriculars, but succeeds primarily in experiential learning environments, where they can directly and actively prepare for their futures.
Academically, Westinghouse delivers a strong foundation across the board. Its students have access to accelerated math tracks, advanced science labs, and AP courses in nearly every subject. Yet what really makes the experience feel different is how the school merges this academic push with a strong focus on student identity, culture, and expression. Programs in the arts, music, and writing (bolstered by partnerships with local organizations like 826CHI and Young Chicago Authors) help ensure that learning goes beyond textbooks and standardized tests.
Student life at Westinghouse reflects the school’s holistic approach. In addition to its academic and career programs, there are dozens of clubs, athletic teams, and creative outlets that help students find community and purpose. The school’s basketball program, idebate team, robotics club, and visual arts programs are especially well-known. And with modern facilities, including a natatorium, media production rooms, and well-equipped science labs, students have the resources to explore and innovate in whatever direction they choose.
If your child is hoping to attend George Westinghouse College Prep, or another Selective Enrollment High School, Test Prep Chicago can help you ace the CPS HSAT necessary for admission. 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.
Jones College Prep: A Chicago Selective Enrollment High School Standout
Jones College Prep, located in the heart of downtown Chicago, is one of the city's most sought-after selective enrollment high schools. With its blend of academic excellence, vibrant student life, and a central location that provides unique learning opportunities, Jones has become a destination for students aiming for both scholarly achievement and personal growth.
Jones College Prep is known for its rigorous academic curriculum and high-performing student body. The school offers a comprehensive slate of Advanced Placement courses, including over 20 AP options across subjects such as calculus, biology, U.S. history, and computer science. Students at Jones consistently earn top-tier standardized test scores, with an average SAT score around 1320. The school's graduation rate remains high, and students regularly exceed state benchmarks in both math and reading proficiency. This level of performance is a reflection not only of the school’s strong academic culture but also of the dedicated faculty who support and challenge students to reach their full potential.
What makes Jones especially unique is its downtown location, which creates access to museums, cultural institutions, and internship opportunities. This campus is part of what sets Jones apart from other selective enrollment schools, as it integrates the resources of the city into its educational model, offering students real-world exposure and experiential learning opportunities few schools can match. This means that Jones can be a great option for students looking to work or attend college in the city of Chicago after graduation, or students who learn best in hands-on environments.
Beyond academics, Jones College Prep is known for its dynamic extracurricular programs. Whether students are interested in the arts, STEM, athletics, or service, there’s something for everyone. The school has a strong robotics team, a competitive Model UN program, and well-regarded visual and performing arts departments. Music ensembles, theater productions, and academic teams all contribute to a lively student culture. Athletically, Jones fields competitive teams across a variety of sports, including soccer, cross country, and volleyball. Clubs and student organizations also play a huge role in campus life, with students regularly leading initiatives in civic engagement, environmental advocacy, and social justice.
Admission to Jones College Prep remains highly competitive. Like all of Chicago’s selective enrollment high schools, applicants must take the CPS High School Admissions Test (CPS HSAT), which is coming up soon in October. For students aiming to earn a seat at Jones, strong test preparation can make all the difference.
That’s where Test Prep Chicago comes in. Through our group courses (click here), one-day workshops (click here), and one-on-one tutoring sessions (click here), we help students master the content and strategies necessary to excel on the CPS HSAT.
Stay tuned as we continue spotlighting Chicago’s top selective enrollment high schools!
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.
Chicago Magazine Ranks Best Public High Schools
Chicago Magazine has released its latest rankings of public high schools in the Chicago metropolitan area for the 2024-25 school year, calculated based on four metrics: SAT scores, graduation rates, attendance, and the state's 5Essentials survey, which tracks five indicators such as “effective leadership” and “ambitious instruction.” The list included both city and suburban schools and provides one of the most detailed rankings so far, covering 110 schools across six counties.
In the Chicago city rankings, Northside College Preparatory High School topped the list with high SAT reading and math scores, followed by Whitney M. Young Magnet High School, another selective enrollment school, and Lane Technical High School. Among non-selective or non-charter schools, Back of the Yards College Preparatory ranked highest at No. 10. The top suburban school in Cook County was New Trier Township High School, followed by Glenbrook North High School and John Hersey High School.
Listed below are the top five schools within the city of Chicago:
Northside College Preparatory High School, North Park
Whitney M. Young Magnet High School, Near West Side
Albert G. Lane Technical High School, Roscoe Village
William Jones College Preparatory High School, Printers Row
Walter Payton College Preparatory High School, Near North Side
For more information about scoring and to see the full ranking, click here.
Anna Jordan, Tutoring Coordinator
anna@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266
CPS High School Admissions Test Dates Announced
CPS recently announced test dates for the CPS High School Admissions Test (CPS HSAT). 8th graders are required to take this exam to test into Selective Enrollment High Schools. This year, CPS students will take the exam at their school on October 9th while alternative language students will take the exam on October 15th.
Non-CPS students will have the option to take the exam in the following weeks at a CPS testing center. They will choose to test on October 19th, 20th, 26th, or 27th. You can find a list of all testing dates below.
CPS HSAT Test Dates
Wednesday, October 9 (For CPS Students)
Tuesday, October 15 (For Alternative Language Testing)
Saturday, October 19 (For non-CPS Students)
Sunday, October 20 (For non-CPS Students)
Saturday, October 26 (For non-CPS Students)
Sunday, October 27 (For non-CPS Students)
Kayley Horton, Tutoring Coordinator
kayley@testprepchicago.com
312-848-1266
Five CPS Schools Ranked Among the Best Schools in the US
The latest rankings from U.S. News & World Report have once again placed Chicago Public Schools (CPS) in the national spotlight, with five of its schools securing spots among the top 100 in the country. Walter Payton College Prep, which ranked number 5, increased its ranking by five spots from last year. Renowned for its consistent excellence, Payton has long been hailed as Illinois's premier educational institution and has frequently garnered recognition among the nation's top schools.
Joining Walter Payton are Northside College Prep (No. 35), Whitney Young Magnet High School (No. 52), Jones College Prep (No. 53) and Lane Tech (No. 60). U.S. News & World Report's methodology, which considers various indicators of school quality, including college readiness, state assessment proficiency, and graduation rates, seeks to provide a comprehensive assessment of each institution's performance. These rankings underscore the dedication and hard work of students, educators, parents, and community members.
Anna Jordan, Tutoring Coordinator
anna@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266
Proposed Bill Aims to Freeze Changes in Chicago Public Schools
Illinois lawmakers are considering a bill aimed at halting Chicago Public Schools (CPS) officials from closing schools or altering selective-enrollment programs until a fully elected school board assumes control in 2027. This legislative move follows a decision by Mayor Brandon Johnson's Board of Education in December to focus on providing resources to neighborhood schools, which have suffered from years of funding cuts, rather than prioritizing selective enrollment schools. Johnson's administration has provided reassurance that selective schools won't face severe cuts or closure, since these represent some of the best schools in the country; its goal is rather to expand some of the programming available at selective schools to neighborhood schools.
The proposed bill, sponsored by state Rep. Margaret Croke, would prevent CPS from changing the “standards for admission” to selective enrollment schools. It also seeks to ensure that major decisions about school closures or program changes await the establishment of a fully elected school board. However, critics argue that the bill might hinder efforts to diversify selective programs and address demographic disparities.
Supporters emphasize the need for democratic decision-making and transparency, but concerns remain about the potential consequences of delaying significant educational reforms. The bill's passage would signify a significant shift in governance structure for CPS, impacting everything from admission policies to budget allocations. As debates continue, the bill's fate holds implications not only for Chicago's educational landscape but also for broader discussions surrounding equity, resource allocation, and democratic governance in public education.
Anna Jordan, Tutoring Coordinator
anna@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266
Chicago High Schools Ranked Among Best in Country
In the most recent study conducted by US News & World Report, Walter Payton College Prep High School in Chicago was ranked the fifth best high public high school in the country. The 2022 report ranked 18,000 schools across the U.S. based on factors such as college readiness, curriculum breadth, underserved student performance, graduation rate, and state assessment performance.
Of other schools in Chicago, Northside College Prep came 31st, Jones College Prep came in at 51st, and Whitney Young Magnet High School was 67th.
Walter Payton has ranked as a top school in Illinois for several years. This year, using data from Niche, high schools were ranked according to similar criteria including culture and diversity, health and safety, extracurriculars, and academic performance. The top four schools were Walter Payton, Northside College Prep, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy in Aurora, and Whitney Young Magnet High School.
Anna Jordan, Tutoring Coordinator
anna@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266
TPC Selective Enrollment Point Calculator Updated
Test Prep Chicago’s free point calculator for selective enrollment high schools has been updated according to last year’s cut-off scores, which increased from the previous year.
The admissions process for Selective Enrollment High Schools consists of two 450 point parts (900 total points). The two parts are:
7th grade grades in Reading, Math, Science and Social Studies: 450 points
CPS High School Admissions Test: 450 points
To use the point calculator, enter your student’s 7th grade grades and select the socio-economic tier in which you live. If you’re not sure which tier that is, the point calculator will direct you to the CPS Locator. Once your student’s grades and CPS tier have been entered, click the “calculate” button.
The calculator will then show you the points your student has earned based on their 7th grade grades. Underneath this is a table showing the exam score they will need to achieve based on their grades, tier neighborhood, and the total points required by each selective enrollment high school based on last year’s cutoff scores. This includes a breakdown of the minimum total score required, exam points needed, as well as the exam score needed.
Test Prep Chicago has a similar calculator for Academic Center admissions, based on 5th grade grades and group tiers. To find out the scores your student would need for admission to Chicago’s Academic Centers, click here.
Anna Jordan, Tutoring Coordinator
anna@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266