NWEA MAP Test Information

The NWEA MAP test is a common-core-aligned, computer-adaptive test designed to quantify a student’s knowledge of math and reading. Unlike most other standardized tests, the NWEA MAP adapts its difficulty level based on whether or not a student selects a correct answer. If a correct answer is selected, the test becomes more challenging, asking out-of-grade-level questions.

After the student completes the test, both teachers as well as students and their parents will receive a RIT score which correlates to a percentile (both the RIT and the percentile should be included in the report from NWEA MAP). The percentile represents where a particular student’s level is compared with students across the country. NWEA’s website states, “NWEA uses anonymous assessment data from over 10.2 million students to create national norms…By drawing from an incredibly wide pool of anonymized test records (pulled from more than six million test events, 23,000 schools, and 49 states), we’re able to accurately represent the US school-age population.”

In addition, the RIT score is determined not by what kinds of questions the student can answer (for example, computation and problem solving), but rather at what level (for example, a simple addition problem versus an addition problem which has an imaginary number in it). To see examples of difficulty level compared to approximate RIT scores, visit the NWEA MAP website and search for the “RIT Reference Brochure.” 

Furthermore, this test provides 1/3 of the points required to attend a Selective Enrollment High School or Academic Center. Each section of the test (reading and math) is worth 150 points, with a total of 300 points up for grabs based on their NWEA MAP score. While CPS has not yet announced the NWEA MAP test dates for this upcoming spring of 2021, we anticipate both CPS and non-CPS 5th and 7th-grade students will take the NWEA MAP during the testing window of mid-May to mid-June as was supposed to be the case last year (but was canceled because of Covid-19).

Visit Test Prep Chicago’s homepage (testprepchicago.com) to sign-up for our newsletter and receive up-to-date news. We’ll be sure to send an email as soon as CPS releases more concrete information about NWEA MAP test dates, as well as more information when we add one-day workshops to our website. As always, we offer one-on-one tutoring for NWEA MAP and can begin this at any time. Visit our website for more information on pricing, and how to reach out to us to set up sessions.

Lauren Lynch, Director of Tutoring and Communications
lauren@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266

An Overview of The University of Chicago Laboratory School

The University of Chicago Lab School (also known as Lab, University High School, or U-High) is an Independent High School in Chicago. Located in Chicago’s Hyde Park Neighborhood, Lab is affiliated with the University of Chicago. Since Lab is an Independent high school, potential students must take the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) and interview with the U-High Admissions Committee to apply.

Lab believes that their high school students should have the skills to be able to balance their academic curriculum alongside their extracurriculars. It is their hope that students graduate Lab with not only the ability to exceed academically but also to practice the personal skills they will be needing once they enter college.  Lab ensures this by providing a program that focuses on “analytical reading, writing, research, strong math and science skills, and broad access to the arts.” In tandem, the students are encouraged to spend their free time joining a variety of clubs or sports, where they have a “no-cut” policy to encourage as much participation as possible. There are also a variety of resources that are provided to the students at Lab in order to foster academic success including math tutors, a writing center, and college counseling.

Lab prioritizes the development of their students throughout their four years. They do their best to make sure that there are plenty of opportunities for academic and social success. High school students have class retreats planned for them every year that they attend in order for them to reflect with and enjoy their peers in an outside environment. Students are also provided an Advisory Program where they are assigned an advisor and a small advisory group that continues to work with them throughout their high school journey. 

To find more information about The University of Chicago Lab Schools, please Lab’s website: https://www.ucls.uchicago.edu/

Written by former Tutoring Coordinator, Ramisha Ejaz

For more information about Test Prep Chicago contact:

Lauren Lynch, Tutoring Coordinator

lauren@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266

CPS Announces Fully Remote Return to School Through 11/6

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Chicago Public Schools (CPS) CEO Janice Jackson announced on Wednesday (8/5) that CPS would complete at least the first quarter of the school year (through 11/6) online. This comes a few weeks after CPS announced a possible hybrid learning plan where students would attend school for at least two days a week. However, as COVID-19 cases have begun to rise in Chicago again, Jackson said they were “not comfortable with the state of the pandemic and the national response,” and that they intended to revisit their hybrid model when it felt safe enough to do so.

The announcement also came a short two days after the Chicago Teachers Union made plans to potentially call its House of Delegates together to vote on a possible strike. However, Mayor Lightfoot contended the news of the CTU did not influence the city’s decision to go fully remote stating, “As we have now repeatedly said about every decision we’ve made in the context of this pandemic, we have to be guided by the science, period.”

This decision also came to light after weeks of CPS sending surveys and holding town halls to get the general consensus of the needs of the many families who will be impacted by moving to a remote learning model. For families of essential workers as well as other families who will not be able to stay home with their kids, the City of Chicago is looking into providing free childcare opportunities. Mayor Lightfoot also mentioned that free school meals would be offered around the city just as they were in the spring. CPS will also provide devices as well as free internet access for any family who needs them. 

In addition, the Archdiocese of Chicago announced plans to move forward with reopening Chicago Catholic and parochial schools despite CPS’s announcement to go fully remote for the first quarter, stating that it is in the “best interests of children.” They will offer an e-learning component for students who want to opt-out, and more information for that will be released in the coming weeks.

CPS has not yet released any information regarding making up the NWEA MAP test for students testing into Academic Centers and Selective Enrollment high schools. Moreover, they haven’t released information on SEHS testing, and if the pandemic will affect these procedures in any way. Test Prep Chicago will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as CPS makes it available. Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter at the bottom of our website’s homepage to receive email updates about selective enrollment admissions in Chicago.

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

An Overview of Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy Academic Center

Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy (also known as Brooks or Brooks AC) Academic Center is one of seven Academic Centers in Chicago. Located in Chicago’s Roseland neighborhood, Brooks Academic Center resides in the city’s south side. Brooks seeks out high performing middle school students who are ready to take on a more intensive curriculum in preparation for high school. These students typically begin at Brooks as 7th graders and finish the AC program at the end of their 8th grade year.

Brooks AC takes a more personalized approach to their students learning; students are encouraged to utilize Brooks’ extensive academic resources in order to provide more than just an intensive Academic Center experience. By incorporating these resources into the students’ every day curriculum, students get a chance to learn at their own pace by receiving varying support and coaching dependent on the students’ learning abilities and needs. This goes beyond the conventional confines of a classroom by teaching the students to master content instead of focusing on completion and traditional participation. This reinforces the rigorous curriculum that Brooks is most well known for, but also allows for the students’ learning to be the first priority at Brooks AC.

Students are also invited to participate in select extracurriculars at Brooks Academic Center. These can range from selected sports, Math Team, ComEd STEM Club, and more. Students are also offered a variety of tutoring and support services to ensure that their transition into high school curriculum is as smooth as possible. These include resources such as an After School and Lunchtime Tutoring program, a mentoring program, and an in-class Learning Assistant program. These programs and more are all to ensure the academic success of all the students in the AC program. 

To find more information about Gwendolyn Brooks Preparatory Academy Academic Center, visit Brooks’s website: http://brookscollegeprep.org/academic-center.

Written by former Tutoring Coordinator, Ramisha Ejaz

For more information about Test Prep Chicago contact:

Lauren Lynch, Tutoring Coordinator

lauren@testprepchicago.com
(312) 848-1266

CPS To Require Face Coverings and Temperature Checks in Fall, May Hold Classes in Alternative Locations Such as McCormick Place, Park District Fieldhouses

Chicago Public Schools released a statement on their social media on Friday, June 12th that they are launching a series of surveys to provide a well-rounded, comprehensive set of guidelines for the upcoming school year (2020-21). CPS noted, “A school district as large and complex as ours requires thorough guidance that accounts for the wide variety of needs in our schools, and we are working through those scenarios so that in the weeks ahead, we can present you with draft guidelines for reopening school buildings.”

 In addition, they provided the following guidance recommended from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that they already know will be enacted in the fall:

• Everyone will be required to wear face coverings. Schools will be given a limited amount of coverings for students and staff members at the beginning of the year.

• Hand sanitizer will be made available throughout all CPS buildings.

• Strict cleaning and disinfection rules will be in place.

• Students and staff members will receive temperature checks every day.

WGN9 Chicago also reported on Friday, June 12th that according to the chairman of City Council’s Education Committee, the City Council has begun looking into alternative locations to hold classes to give teachers and students the appropriate amount of space in the classroom to adhere to six-foot social distancing guidelines. Possible locations for classes include McCormick Place, Navy Pier, and Park District fieldhouses, among others. However, a spokesperson for McCormick Place said she had not yet heard of these plans.

CPS has not yet released any information regarding making up the NWEA MAP test for students testing into Academic Centers and Selective Enrollment high schools. Moreover, they haven’t released information on SEHS testing, and if the pandemic will affect these procedures in any way. Test Prep Chicago will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as CPS makes it available. Be sure to subscribe to our website on our homepage to receive email updates about selective enrollment admissions in Chicago.

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

An Overview of Loyola Academy

A part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago, Loyola Academy is a private, co-ed school located in Wilmette, IL, a northern suburb of Chicago. The school was originally founded on Loyola University’s campus in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood in 1909 but moved to its current campus in 1957. Loyola is rated as the 6th best Catholic school in Illinois and the 4th best school for athletes in Illinois. The school has a student population of approximately 2,050 with a student to teacher ratio of 14:1. Not only does Loyola have a graduation rate of 99%, but 99% of those students go on to attend a four-year college after high school.

The curriculum at Loyola provides a challenge for high achieving students, and even allows them to further specialize in their interests in the form of two honors programs: The Dumbach Scholars Program and the Clavius Scholars Program. As their website states, “The Dumbach Scholars Program is rooted in the humanities, while the Clavius Scholars Program is grounded in math and science.” Each program is competitive and requires specific AP and honors classes, service hours, and includes several interdisciplinary field trips. Loyola also uniquely offers a Global Studies Program with academic trips to France, China, Greece and Italy, Spain, Central America, or England as well as the opportunity to take a service trip to Mexico.

In addition to other resources, Loyola Academy also has a 1:1 iPad initiative which began in 2013 and continues today. While students must purchase their own, the initiative makes Loyola an Apple Distinguished School which, among other things, offers a discount to families. The school also has a proud tradition of athletics for students to participate in including 34 different sports and over 80 different teams. Many students at Loyola go on to play for reputable college teams across the nation.

As with most other Catholic schools, tuition is required for admission into Loyola Academy. Tuition for Loyola is approximately $15,260 with financial aid and payment plans available. To find out more about Loyola Academy’s tuition, how to apply, or to read more about their academics or athletics, visit their website at goramblers.org. 

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

Test Prep Chicago Believes Black Lives Matter

Dear Test Prep Chicago Family, 

We're writing this today because silence is not an option for us. As a test prep company, we don't tend to take any kind of partisan stance; however, believing that black lives matter isn't a stance-- it's a call for equality, for basic human rights, and for empowering our government to ensure black and brown lives are protected from a fate no one should endure. 

As a small business in Chicago, we take great pride in the diverse makeup of our community. We stand in solidarity with our tutors, students, and families of color, as well as those around the world working to put an end to the systematic racism that brought us here in the first place. 

As an education company, we encourage just that: education. It is important that we continue to engage in the difficult but necessary conversations that will move our nation forward to where it needs to be. We're sharing a document, Say Their Names, that our friends at Chicago Public Schools created to help foster those productive conversations to lead to a better, safer, and more inclusive tomorrow. 

Be well, and stay safe. 

Sincerely,
Charlie and Lauren


Charlie Howard, Owner
charlie@testprepchicago.com

Lauren Lynch, Tutoring Coordinator
lauren@testprepchicago.com

(312) 848-1266

An Overview of DePaul College Prep High School

Formerly known as Gordon Technical High School, DePaul College Prep High School first opened in 1952 as a Roman Catholic high school in Chicago’s North Center neighborhood on the north side. The school was originally named after Reverend Francis Gordon, but was renamed DePaul College Prep on the Father Gordon Campus in 2014, honoring both Reverend Gordon as well as their academic partner since 2012, DePaul University. DePaul College Prep has a student population of 550 with a student to teacher ratio of 11:1. They boast a graduation rate of 98%; in addition, 98% of students who graduate go on to attend a four-year college. It also ranks 18th most diverse private school in Illinois and 25th best Catholic school in Illinois.

DePaul College Prep offers impressive academic opportunities for their students. As they state on their website, “As a student at DePaul Prep, you will develop a strong foundation in liberal arts, science, technology, engineering and math. We offer various academic options--Advanced Placement (AP), Honors, College Prep and College Enrichment. We are proud to say the DePaul College Prep is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School and we also offer the unique opportunity of Dual Enrollment courses at DePaul University.”

Another exciting component of DePaul College Prep’s curriculum is their STEAM initiative (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math). This program is comprised of courses in visual arts, media arts, theater, music, engineering, design and computer science. DePaul contends, “The Department adopts an interdisciplinary approach to learning that develops critical thinking and creativity using state of the art technology, fully equipped art and sculpture studio, engineering and fabrication lab, computer science lab and music studio.” Beginning their freshman year, students will take a full year of coursework in the STEAM program which can be followed up with electives of their favorite disciplines in their years as upperclassmen. In addition to STEAM, students take standard courses as well as theology classes and language classes in Spanish, French, or Chinese.

Tuition at DePaul College Prep is about $13,170 a year with payment plans and financial aid available. Approximately 40% of students use financial aid. To find out more information about DePaul College Prep’s tuition, academics, etc. visit their website at depaulprep.org.

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

9th Grade Admissions Screenings

Admission screenings are required for a plethora of high schools in Chicago. As the CPS website states, “these consist of admissions exams, auditions/portfolio reviews, information sessions, and interviews, as well as the submission of essays and teacher recommendations.” Parents generally schedule these screenings online through the RSVP function of their GoCPS account after their student has applied online. For admission into selective enrollment high schools, this means parents will need to schedule their student’s SEHS (Selective Enrollment High School) exam.

Selective Enrollment High School exams are administered at five high schools: King, Lane Tech, Lindblom, Westinghouse, and Whitney Young. You can sign up to test at one of these sites on any of the dates CPS will announce in the fall. Typically, there are about 7-8 dates beginning in November and ending in January. However, spots will fill up, so be sure to submit an application and sign up for a date as soon as you can to ensure the date and location you prefer. On the day of the exam, you may be asked to enter the testing site through a specific door. To see your site’s specific day-of directions, visit https://go.cps.edu/high-school/admissions-screenings, and click on “Selective Enrollment Admissions Exams.”

For all testing sites, CPS has provided a few general rules and guidelines for the day of testing, and they are listed below.

• Food and water are not allowed in testing rooms. There are water fountains located in the hallways that students can access. There are no scheduled breaks, but if students need to use the restroom or get water between sections, they are allowed to do so.

• Students should not take snacks to the admissions exam unless they have an IEP or 504 Plan which designates that they are to be allowed snacks for medical reasons.

• Students who receive extended time (50% or greater) on the exam due to accommodations will receive a short break. If they take a snack, they can consume it at that time.

• Arrive at the test site 20 minutes before the time of the test.

• The test is approximately three and a half hours long (unless the student has a public school 504 with testing accommodations or a public school IEP that allows for testing accommodations under section 10c).

• Students are assigned to test rooms as they arrive; early arrivals may begin testing before the scheduled test time.

• Students with public school 504s with testing accommodations, or public school IEPs with testing accommodations under section 10c, have pre-assigned rooms and will not start before the scheduled appointment time.

• Parents should be available for student pick-up from the test site three and a half hours after the scheduled test time.

• Students who arrive late may not be allowed to take the examination.

• Students should take two #2 pencils to the exam. No other items or materials will be allowed on the desk during the testing process (unless the student has a public school IEP [section 10c] or 504 Plan that allows for other materials).

• No iPods, MP3 players or other electronic devices are allowed in the testing room.

• If the student has a cell phone or watch, it must be secured as directed by the examiner. Cell phones must be turned off. If, during the examination period, the student’s cell phone rings, or the student’s watch emits an alarm, they will be disqualified from testing and they will not be allowed to reschedule the test.

• If the student is ill, or the parent is facing other extenuating circumstances, the student’s exam should be rescheduled via their GoCPS account or by contacting the Office of Access and Enrollment at 773-553-2060, weekdays between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. The Office of Access and Enrollment is not open on Saturdays and Sundays. Students should not be taken to test if they are ill.

CPS has not yet released any information regarding SEHS testing and Covid-19, and if the pandemic will affect these procedures in any way. Test Prep Chicago will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as CPS makes it available. Be sure to subscribe to our website on our homepage to receive email updates about selective enrollment admissions in Chicago.

For additional information on admission screenings for IB programs, AVID programs, or art schools in Chicago, visit https://go.cps.edu/high-school/admissions-screenings. 

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

An Overview of Latin School of Chicago

Founded over a century ago in 1888 by Mabel Slade Vickery, Latin School of Chicago is located in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood on the North Side. The school was established when a group of parents unsatisfied with the education their students were getting in public schools came together to create a parent-owned school with East Coast teacher Mabel Slade Vickery at the helm. The school began with ten boys in 1888 and today has approximately 400 elementary students, 300 middle school students, and 500 high school students all of which are coed.

Latin School is now one of the premier private/independent schools in Chicago and ranks as the third best private K-12 school in Illinois. The student to teacher ratio is 8:1, and its graduation rate is not only 99%, but 99% of its students also go on to attend a four-year college. The school also has an impressive average for its ACT and SAT scores: 31 and 1370, respectively. With all of its successes, however, it isn't particularly diverse with nearly 70% of students identifying as White, 11% identifying as Asian, 6% identifying as Hispanic, and 6% identifying as African American.

Curriculum at Latin School includes standard, specialized, honors, and AP courses in math, science, English, social studies, and history. In addition, they have a wide range of performing and visual arts classes as well as physical education courses. Languages available to study include Latin, French, Mandarin, and Spanish. Students are also able to elect to have a School Year Abroad (SYA) with both year-long and summer programs available in Spain, France, Italy, and China. In addition, they offer an exchange program through schools in South Africa, Germany, France, and India.

Something that is also unique to Latin School is their Capstone Studies Program and their Project Week. Their Capstone Studies Program allows seniors to apply “to participate in a year-long Capstone Studies Program, which allows them to create an interdisciplinary project that links their research to Chicago community resources, or present a senior project that is not strictly academically focused.” The Project Week is also a favorite of students at that school. It allows “upper school students [to] spend one week each March exploring the world outside of the classroom during Project Week. Students can choose to learn about literature, art, technology, or the Civil Rights movement, participate in community service or outdoor education, travel the world or get to know their city in a new way.”

All of these programs are based in Latin School’s mission which states that it “provides its students with a rigorous and innovative educational program in a community that embraces diversity of people, cultures and ideas.” It further adds, “Latin inspires its students to pursue their passions and lead lives of purpose and excellence.”

Since Latin School of Chicago is a private school it does require tuition. Their website states that their tuition for 2019-2020 was $32,815 for grades PK-4, and $36,675 for grades 5-12 with payment plans and financial aid available. For more information about Latin School of Chicago including tuition or academics, visit their website at latinschool.org.

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