An Overview of Lane Tech Academic Center

Founded in 1908, Lane Technical College Prep High School (also known as Lane Tech) and Academic Center is situated in Roscoe Village, a neighborhood on the north side of Chicago. Though founded many years ago, Lane Tech’s academic center opened in 2011. Lane is one of eleven selective enrollment high schools in Chicago and its academic center is one of seven. Since it’s both a selective enrollment high school and academic center, students enrolled in Lane’s academic center are automatically enrolled in Lane Tech’s high school program without needing to reapply.

Much like at other academic centers, students enrolled are considered gifted and can gain high school credit for classes as well as work on material that is 1-2 years advanced. Moreover, Lane Tech’s website describes their academic center as providing “an advanced curriculum for students beginning in the 7th grade and culminates with a capstone advanced placement college preparatory experience.”

Furthermore, as early as their 7th-grade year, students at Lane Tech Academic Center begin receiving high school credit for classes like algebra, biology, global issues, and electives such as world language, art, music, or computer science. As students progress to high school, all academic center students at Lane are expected to take either Honor or Advanced Placement courses, though, still must meet all regular prerequisites in place by course instructors and departments. This puts students on track to already be taking AP courses (that may count for college credit) during their freshman year of high school.

In addition to academics, Lane Tech Academic Center also offers extracurriculars students would find at any other elementary school. Sports offered include cross country, track, basketball, soccer, and cheerleading to name a few. There are also clubs which include but are not limited to student council, math team, yearbook, chess, and the National Junior Honor Society.

To find out more about Lane Tech Academic Center’s courses or extracurriculars, visit their website: https://lanetech.org/ltac/.

Lauren Lynch, Tutoring Coordinator
lauren@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266

CPS Strike Ends

After 11 missed school days, the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) and the Office of Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced that the strike was over on October 31st, 2019 with students heading back to class beginning the following day, November 1st, 2019.

This announcement came after days of grueling negotiation between the CTU and the Mayor’s Office, and much pressure from the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and CPS families to get students back to school as soon as possible. Finally compromising on the list of demands, CTU, CPS, and the Mayor’s Office agreed to, among other provisions, a 16% raise for teachers, smaller class sizes, full-time nurses and social workers, and more staffing for special education and English learners. Additionally, they notably agreed that CPS buildings and property would be declared immigration sanctuary spaces for students and those at CPS on school-related business.

Some of these demands will take effect immediately, while others will have to be phased in by year. For example, while CPS has promised $35 million annually to help with class-size caps, new limits can’t be enforced until the 2020-2021 school year. In addition, CPS says all schools will have at least one full-time nurse and social worker every day by July 2023 with the goal of beginning to match schools with nurses and social workers on an as-needed basis prior to 2023.

As part of the last portion of their agreement, CPS is allowing teachers and students to make up five of the eleven instructional days missed. Today (11/5/19), they proposed the following make-up dates, Wednesday, November 27th; Thursday, January 2nd; Friday, January 3rd; Wednesday, June 17th; and Thursday, June 18th. CPS commented in a tweet, “The make-up days must be scheduled on days on which teachers would not otherwise be paid, which severely limited the district’s options.”

The Board of Education will vote on the official budget, updated calendar, and agreements put forth by the CTU and CPS at their meeting on November 20th, 2019. 

Lauren Lynch, Tutoring Coordinator
lauren@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266

Academic Center Entrance Exam (ACEE)

The Academic Center Entrance Exam (ACEE) was designed by the Chicago Public Schools’ Office of Access and Enrollment specifically for Chicago’s 6th grade students applying to Academic Centers. Unlike other standardized tests such as the NWEA MAP, the ACEE measures critical thinking skills, reasoning, and problem solving, much like an IQ test. At 90 minutes in length, the exam boasts 9 sections, each being 10 minutes long. It includes both verbal and non-verbal sections such as verbal analogies, vocabulary and sentence completion, word classification, geometric sequences, geometric analogies, number series, and paper folding, respectively.  

 Like the Selective Enrollment High School Exam (SEHS), the exact format of the exam is kept a secret, and there are no practice or past tests available from CPS. However, Test Prep Chicago’s material is exceedingly close to the actual test, which we know based on exit interviews we have conducted with past students who have taken it. To learn more about our curriculum and how to take an ACEE practice test, visit testprepchicago.com.

Lastly, for Chicago Public School, private, and parochial school students alike, the Academic Center Entrance Exam is administered in the winter of students’ 6th grade year, usually in early February. To sign up for a test date and to apply for an Academic Center, visit the CPS website. Stop by our website to check out the dates for our Academic Center prep courses. 

Lauren Lynch, Tutoring Coordinator
lauren@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266

An Overview of Academic Centers

Do you want to avoid the complexities of the high school selective enrollment process, but still want your student to attend a competitive school? An Academic Center may be for you!

Academic Centers, which are similar to middle schools, are housed in high schools and provide a college preparatory program for seventh and eighth-grade students. If a student is admitted into an Academic Center, he or she is automatically granted admission to that Academic Center’s affiliated high school. A few highly sought-after Academic Centers in Chicago include Brooks, Kenwood, Lane Tech, Lindblom, Morgan Park, Taft, and Whitney Young.

The application process for Academic Centers is almost indistinguishable from the Selective Enrollment process; however, instead of the process beginning in 7th grade, students must begin testing in 5th grade. Much like Selective Enrollment, the Academic Center admission process works on a 900-point scale.

The first third of points available come from a student’s 5th-grade grades in math, English, science, and social studies. Each A grade is the equivalent of 75 points, totaling at 300 points, or 1/3 of the 900 points obtainable. Each B grade results in 50 points, each C grade results in 25 points and no points are awarded for grades of D or F.

The second third of the 900 points come from a student’s NWEA MAP scores. For CPS students, the official score will be taken from their spring NWEA MAP in 5th grade, while non-CPS students will get their official score from their fall NWEA MAP in 6th grade. This test is divided into two sections: math and reading. Each section is worth 150 points, totaling at 300.

The final third of students’ points are taken from their Academic Center Entrance Exam (AC Exam). The AC Exam includes 9 sections, each at 10 minutes long. Unlike other standardized tests like the NWEA MAP, the AC Exam measures critical thinking skills, reasoning, and problem-solving, much like an IQ test. This test is administered in the winter of their 6th-grade year, usually in early February. 

In addition to the 900 points, students will also need to fill out an Academic Center application using the CPS website. On the application, parents will have to declare in which tiered neighborhood the student lives (to find out in what tier your neighborhood is, visit the CPS website). The final score a student needs out of 900 for each school (for example, 850/900 for Lane Tech or 880/900 for Taft) will be determined by their socio-economic tier. These applications are usually open in October and are due in mid-December, but you can find official dates on the CPS website.

Lauren Lynch, Tutoring Coordinator
lauren@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266

Chicago Teacher Strike

The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) and Chicago Public Schools (CPS) have yet to reach an agreement over teachers’ contracts. As a result, CTU voted on Friday, September 27, to authorize a strike. The strike itself will take place next week on October 17, 2019, adding a new level of urgency for both parties as the days grow closer and closer.

However, in the past, authorized strikes haven’t always led to a strike since the immense inconvenience a strike inevitably poses leads parties to reach an agreement before the actual date. Many are hopeful that this will be the case. On the contrary, if an agreement is not met, CTU (and their 25,000 union educators) are prepared to follow through. In addition, Park District employees have also recently agreed to participate in the strike, adding even more fuel to the fire.

Within the contractual agreement between CPS and CTU, teachers are requesting higher salaries, lower student-to-teacher ratios, and more nurses, librarians, and special education professionals. CPS is trying to accommodate these requests, but so far, their offers were unsatisfactory. While the idea of a teacher strike isn’t desirable for either party, it would hopefully expedite negotiations.

Thousands of CPS families and community members are equally invested in a resolution between the school district and the union. Closed schools mean students wouldn’t have a place to go during the day, and now that Park Districts are joining in, the displacement of tens of thousands of students seems a likely and very scary possibility for Chicagoans. Young students would require childcare, and older students would miss out on extracurricular activities and athletics. Students receiving free or reduced lunches will be without a school-provided meal, adding financial strain to Chicago families.

Additionally, Test Prep Chicago courses offered at CPS schools and Park Districts will need be rescheduled should there be a strike. Our courses will continue once the strike ends and we will add make-up classes to the end of any course affected by the strikes.  While CPS and CTU are bargaining to find the best results, which will empower teachers to better serve their students and school communities, we hope they are able to do so very soon. 

Lauren Lynch, Tutoring Coordinator
lauren@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266

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 7 times. The 7 dates are listed below.

SEHS Test Dates 
Saturday, November 16
Saturday, December 7
Saturday, December 14
Sunday, December 15
Saturday, January 18
Sunday, January 19
Saturday, January 25

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 September 30 and ends December 6th.

Lauren Lynch, Tutoring Coordinator
lauren@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266

High School Entrance Exam Prep Course at Test Prep Chicago

Every fall, Test Prep Chicago offers classes which encompass all three high school entrance exams: the selective enrollment high school entrance exam (SEHS), the independent school entrance exam (ISEE), and the high school placement test (HSPT). Over the course of eight weeks, students dive into the content of the tests, test-taking strategies, as well as the formatting and timing of each test. Though eight weeks may seem like a short amount of time to prepare for three tests, its an exceedingly accessible time frame given the likeness of each exam.

First, the content is exceedingly alike. Each of the tests include math (up through geometry), reading comprehension, vocabulary, and language skills (multiple choice for SEHS and HSPT, essay for ISEE). Given these similarities, students studying for any or all exams are able to work toward reviewing or learning the same concepts. Where there are a few differences, such as the essay section on the ISEE, students studying specifically for the ISEE will be provided with supplementary, exam- specific material for homework. However, since the student is engaging in language and grammar in our class, they will still be getting their fair share of in-class language and grammar prep for the ISEE. Additionally, another commonality on the tests is that there is no calculator permitted, nor is there a guessing penalty.

Next, the time permitted to take each test ranges from two hours and thirty minutes to three hours.  Accordingly, the stamina needed to build up in order to successfully take each exam is almost indistinguishable. The only exception is that the HSPT has quite a few more questions than the other two exams. Similar to the essay section with the ISEE, supplementary materials will be provided for those students who wish to work on specifically on quickly getting through many questions that the HSPT will inevitably have.

Lastly, since the formatting of each exam is slightly different, we include questions formatted in the likeness of each exam so students feel fully prepared. If our comprehensive high school entrance exam prep course sounds like the right fit for your student, visit testprepchicago.com and sign up for a prep course today!

Lauren Lynch, Tutoring Coordinator
lauren@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266

An Overview of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. College Preparatory High School

With a school motto of “Dare to dream, strive to achieve,” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. College Preparatory High School (also known as “King”) was founded in 1971. Located in the Kenwood neighborhood of the south side of Chicago, King is one of eleven selective enrollment high schools in Chicago and ranked as the 48th best public school in Illinois. The school has an enrollment of 638 with a student to teacher ratio of 17:1. Of their total enrollment, 99% of students are people of color and 80% of students receive free or reduced-price lunch. King has a graduation rate of 98%.

Courses offered at King encompass a rigorous course load with honors and AP classes offered in every subject. Unlike many other selective enrollment schools, King has a wealth of arts programming including advanced coursework in band, dance, drama, graphic design, photography, studio art, and choir. They also, uniquely, have courses in architecture, engineering, and computer science. Their engineering program, in particular, “utilizes a nationally recognized curriculum developed by Project Lead the Way.” Languages offered at King include French, Spanish, and American Sign Language.

Students interested in sports have many options from which to try-out: baseball, basketball, volleyball, football, cross country, soccer, swimming, wrestling, and softball to name a few. The school also houses a marching band, drama club, book club, chess club, and video-gaming club as well as many other extracurricular activities.

To learn more about King’s academics, athletics, or extracurricular activities, visit their website at https://newkcp.org.

Lauren Lynch, Tutoring Coordinator
lauren@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266

An Overview of Robert Lindblom Math and Science Academy High School

Located in the West Englewood neighborhood of the south side of Chicago, Robert Lindblom Math and Science Academy (also known as Lindblom) originally opened in 1919 as a technical high school, reopening in 2005 as a Math and Science Academy and a selective enrollment high school. The school is ranked 11th best public high school in Illinois. Total Enrollment is 1,056 with a student to teacher ratio of 18:1. Of the total enrollment, 98% of students are people of color and 67% of students receive free or reduced-price lunch. It boasts an extremely impressive graduation rate of 100%.

Courses offered at Lindblom contain a “demanding college preparatory curriculum where all courses are offered at honors or Advanced Placement [levels].” These include conventional classes as well as more unique offerings such as Women’s Studies, Web Design, Environmental Science, Biotechnology, Horticulture and Plant Biology, and Art and History of Propaganda. Languages offered include Chinese and Arabic while fine arts encompass visual art, choir, and band.

Lindblom also incorporates a colloquium day where students have an array of electives and enrichment classes to choose from including but not limited to Tai Chi, Knitting, A Capella, Photography, African Dance, Archery, Basketball, History of Hip-Hop, Self Defense, Robotics, Aviation, Women in Medicine, and more. For students interested in athletics, they have many from which to choose: basketball, football, soccer, dance, water polo, wrestling, volleyball, cheerleading, bowling, cross country, and track and field to name a few.

For more information about academics or athletics at Lindblom, visit their website: https://lindblomeagles.org/index.jsp.

Lauren Lynch, Tutoring Coordinator
lauren@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266

An Overview of John Hancock College Preparatory High School

Founded in 1999 as an elementary school and then converted into a selective enrollment high school in 2002, John Hancock College Preparatory High School (also known as Hancock) is located in the West Elsdon community of the southwest side of Chicago. Hancock is ranked 217th in the state of Illinois. Enrollment at Hancock is 887 with a student to teacher ratio of 18:1. Of their total enrollment, 98% of students are people of color and 91% of students receive free or reduced-price lunch. The graduation rate of Hancock is 94%.

Courses offered at Hancock include both standard courses as well as a few which are unique to the school; these include four different law classes (encompassing criminology and pre-law), decision theory, forensic science, financial algebra, and drama. In addition, they have departments in pre-engineering and computer science, both of which are noteworthy compared to neighborhood high schools. Hancock also incorporates a wide range of AP classes, honors classes, and electives in fine arts. Languages offered are Spanish and French with an opportunity to take a class trip to Costa Rica with the Spanish class. Another uncommon program which Hancock provides is an opportunity for students to earn high school credit through an internship. Many students previously interned with Urban Alliance, Genesys Works, and more.

Athletics at Hancock include but are not limited to cross country, bowling, track and field, volleyball, cheerleading, basketball, baseball, and soccer. Hancock has a rich tradition of sports and is decorated in Regional and Conference Championships in soccer, baseball, softball, and volleyball.

To learn more about academics or athletics at Hancock, visit their website: hancockhs.org.

Lauren Lynch, Tutoring Coordinator
lauren@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266