All About Kenwood Academy’s Academic Center

With the Academic Center Entrance Exam coming up this month and next, Test Prep Chicago is featuring some of the top Academic Center options in Chicago for 7th and 8th graders. This week, we’re spotlighting Kenwood Academy’s Academic Center, a program with a long-standing reputation in Chicago Public Schools and a strong option for students ready for accelerated academics in middle school.

Kenwood Academy's Academic Center is a selective enrollment public school located in Chicago’s Hyde Park-Kenwood neighborhood, which serves students in grades 7 and 8. Like with any Academic Center attached to a CPS selective enrollment high school, students who complete their 7th and 8th grade years at the Academic Center are guaranteed a seat at Kenwood Academy High School should they want it, allowing for a smooth transition into ninth grade.

One of the defining features of Kenwood’s Academic Center is that it places middle school students in a high school setting with increased academic expectations. The program is designed to provide accelerated instruction that goes beyond the standard middle school curriculum, helping students develop strong study habits, independence, and readiness for high school coursework. Academic Center students take core classes such as math, science, English language arts, and social studies at an advanced pace compared to traditional middle schools. Kenwood’s Academic Center also stands out for offering students the opportunity to earn high school credit while still in middle school, depending on the course. These credits can count toward high school graduation requirements for students who remain at Kenwood, giving them early exposure to advanced academic pathways. This structure allows motivated students to move into higher-level coursework once they enter high school.

As part of the larger Kenwood Academy community, Academic Center students benefit from being on a campus with a wide range of extracurricular opportunities. Kenwood Academy is known for its strong arts programs, including band, choir, and visual arts, as well as competitive athletic teams that participate in the Chicago Public League. The school also offers numerous student organizations and clubs that support interests in leadership, academics, and creative expression. While participation rules vary by activity, Academic Center students are connected to this broader environment, and are able to participate in a variety of extracurricular activities.

Overall, Kenwood Academy’s Academic Center offers a well-rounded academic experience for students who are ready for greater challenges and responsibilities in middle school. At Test Prep Chicago, we support students preparing for the Academic Center Entrance Exam/Regional Gifted Center Test by offering one-day workshops (click here) and individual tutoring (click here). Our programs focus on building strong test-taking strategies, reinforcing essential tactics and skills necessary to succeed on the exam, offering plenty of test-taking practice, and helping students approach the test with confidence. Interested in learning more about the exam itself? Check out our breakdown here.

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.

Whitney M. Young Magnet High School: A Leader Among Chicago’s Selective Enrollment High Schools

Whitney M. Young Magnet High School stands as one of Chicago’s most esteemed and consistently top-ranked selective enrollment high schools. Named after civil rights leader Whitney Young, it opened in the 1970s and was Chicago’s first public magnet high school. Since then, it has remained one of the city’s most competitive schools for admissions.

Academically, Whitney Young offers a rigorous, college-preparatory oriented curriculum that includes a broad selection of Advanced Placement courses (approximately 31 to 33 options). Students achieve both a high SAT average (around 1350) and a solid average ACT score (about 31). These metrics reflect strong college readiness among its student body. Student performance in-class is equally impressive. The school achieves a graduation rate near 99%, and its students score in the top percentile on state proficiency exams. In math, about 91% of students reach proficiency, and in reading, about 89%.

Whitney Young also offers a wide range of extracurricular opportunities. The school boasts a large number of student clubs, strong performing arts programs, and a competitive athletics department that regularly achieves success in district and regional competitions, specifically in boys' basketball. Most notably, Whitney Young has a nationally recognized debate team and STEM-related/academic programs, meaning it is the perfect place for a student gravitating toward a career in politics or law. They also have a decorated speech program and theatre program, making it a magnet for artistic students!

Admissions to Whitney Young remain highly competitive. Students must perform strongly on the CPS selective enrollment test, and acceptance is considered difficult to attain. If you have a student hoping to attend Whitney Young, Test Prep Chicago can help. 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.

Stay tuned — over the next few weeks, we’ll be spotlighting more of Chicago’s top selective enrollment schools to help families make informed choices about CPS high school options.

High School Entrance Exam Dates Announced for 2026–2027 Cycle — Prep Options Now Open

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has officially announced test dates for the 2026–2027 high school admissions cycle. Below, find a list of key dates, along with test prep options from Test Prep Chicago!

Key Test Dates:

CPS High School Admissions Test (CPS HSAT)

• Oct. 8: CPS Students

• Oct. 15: Alternative Language Testing

• Oct. 18, 19, 25, 26: Non-CPS Students

The GoCPS application portal will open Sept. 23 at 10 AM and close Nov. 14 at 5 PM. You can learn more at go.cps.edu.

Parochial School Entrance Exam (HSPT)

• Dec. 6 (First Saturday in December)

Registration and details are handled by the individual schools.

Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE)

• Fall: August–November

• Winter: December–March

• Spring: April–July

Students may take the ISEE once per season. Learn more on ERB’s website here.

Prep with Test Prep Chicago:

TPC offers a range of prep options to help students get ready for all of these High School Entrance Exams:

• 16-Hour Courses: Focused on math, reading, and test strategies for the HSAT, HSPT, and ISEE. Includes diagnostic/final exams and supplemental material. Click here to sign up.

• One-Day Palooza Workshops: A four-hour workshop simulating real test environments with pizza lunch and step-by-step review included. Click here to sign up.

• Individual Tutoring: Personalized sessions using the full prep curriculum for students seeking one-on-one support. Click here to sign up.

CPS Announces Selective Enrollment High School Entrance Exam (SEHS) Test Dates

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has announced the test dates for the Selective Enrollment High School Entrance Exam (SEHS). This year, the SEHS will be offered 5 times. The 5 dates are listed below.

SEHS Test Dates 
Saturday, October 20
Saturday, November 17
Saturday, December 1
Saturday, December 15
Saturday, January 19

The SEHS will be offered at five sites:  King College Preparatory High School, Lane Tech High School, Lindblom Math and Science Academy, Westinghouse College Preparatory High School, and Whitney Young Magnet High School.

Applicants who apply using the GoCPS online application will schedule their exam after they submit their application. Applicants who apply using a paper application will have their test scheduled by the Office of Access and Enrollment and will be notified of their test date, time, and location via U.S. mail.

The application process for the 2019-2020 school year opens October 1st and ends December 14th.

CPS Announces Application Process For 2019-2020 School Year

Last month, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) released information regarding the application process for the 2019-2020 school year. This refers to students who will be beginning high school during the 2019-2020 school year. The Northwest Evaluation Association Measures of Academic Progress exam (NWEA MAP) will once again be used for the eligibility and selection to Selective Enrollment Elementary Schools and to public high schools with academic requirements (Selective Enrollment High Schools).

For students who attended a CPS elementary school during the 2017-2018 school year, their 2018 spring NWEA MAP scores will be used for the admissions process.

Students who attended a non-CPS elementary school during the 2017-2018 school year will be required to take the NWEA MAP exam this fall. CPS will be administering the NWEA MAP exam free of charge throughout the city. The test will be offered at four sites: (1) Curie Metropolitan High School, (2) Lane Tech High School, (3) Lindblom Math and Science Academy, and (4) Westinghouse College Preparatory High School. Students will be scheduled for the test location closest to their residence.  

CPS will offer the NWEA MAP exam on six dates in September (dates listed below). Parents must submit the registration form to the Office of Access and Enrollment by no later than 5 PM on Friday, September 7, 2018.

Test Dates

• Saturday, September 15, 2018
• Sunday, September 16, 2018
• Saturday, September 22, 2018
• Sunday, September 23, 2018
• Saturday, September 29, 2018
• Sunday, September 30, 2018

For more information about the application process for the 2019-2020 school year, please visit https://go.cps.edu/. Also, feel free to contact Charlie Howard with any questions.

Charlie Howard, Owner Test Prep Chicago
charlie@testprepchicago.com
(872) 221-0175

CPS Announces Application Process For 2018-2019 School Year

Yesterday, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) released information regarding the application process for the 2018-2019 school year. The Northwest Evaluation Association Measures of Academic Progress exam (NWEA MAP) will once again be used for the eligibility and selection to Selective Enrollment Elementary Schools and to public high schools with academic requirements (Selective Enrollment High Schools).

For students who attended a CPS elementary school during the 2016-2017 school year, their 2017 spring NWEA MAP scores will be used for the admissions process.

Students who attended a non-CPS elementary school during the 2016-2017 school year will be required to take the NWEA MAP exam this fall/winter. CPS will be administering the NWEA MAP exam free of charge throughout the city. The test will be offered at three sites: (1) Lane Tech High School, (2) Lindblom Math and Science Academy, and (3) Westinghouse College Preparatory High School. Students will be scheduled for the test location closest to their residence.  

CPS will offer the NWEA MAP exam on two dates in September , two dates in October, and on two dates in January (dates listed below). CPS recommends that parents register their children to take the test in September or October. Parents must submit the registration form to the Office of Access and Enrollment by Friday, September 1, 2017 if they want their children to sit for the exam in September.  For students to test in October, parents must submit the registration form by Monday, October 2, 2017. For students to test in January, parents must submit the registration form by Friday, December 1, 2017.

Test Dates

• Saturday, September 23, 2017
• Sunday, September 24, 2017
• Saturday, October 21, 2017
• Sunday, October 22, 2017
• Saturday, January 13, 2018
• Sunday, January 14, 2018

For more information about the application process for the 2018-2019 school year, please visit www.cpsoae.org. Also, feel free to contact Charlie Howard with any questions.

Charlie Howard, Owner Test Prep Chicago
charlie@testprepchicago.com
(872) 221-0175

CPS Announces Application Process for 2017-2018 School Year

Yesterday, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) released information regarding the application process for the 2017-2018 school year. The Northwest Evaluation Association Measures of Academic Progress (NWEA MAP) will once again count for 1/3 of the selection process for admissions to Selective Enrollment Elementary Schools (Regional Gifted Centers, Academic Centers, International Gifted Programs) and Selective Enrollment High Schools.

For students who attended a CPS elementary school during the 2015-2016 school year, their 2016 spring NWEA MAP scores will be used for the admissions process.

Students who attended a non-CPS elementary school during the 2015-2016 school year will be required to take the NWEA MAP exam this fall/winter. CPS will be administering the NWEA MAP exam free of charge throughout the city. CPS has not yet made known the different testing locations, however they have announced that they will attempt to assign each student to a location which is most convenient to his/her residence.

CPS will offer the NWEA MAP exam on four dates in October (dates listed below) and on one date in January (date not yet determined). The NWEA MAP registration form must be received by the Office of Access and Enrollment by Friday, September 9 for a student to test in October. If the September 9 registration deadline is missed, a registration form must be submitted before December 9 for a student to test in January.

October NWEA MAP Test Dates

• Saturday, October 8

• Sunday, October 9

• Saturday, October 22

• Sunday, October 23

(There will be two testing times on each of the dates listed above: 9am and 12pm).

For more information about the application process for the 2017-2018 school year, please visit www.cpsoae.org. Also, feel free to contact Charlie Howard with any questions.

Charlie Howard, Owner Test Prep Chicago
charlie@testprepchicago.com
(872) 221-0175