High School Resources

The website go.cps.edu is your place for all things high school!  Learn about different high school program options, program requirements, sports and club offerings and more!

Important Dates:

• High School Admission Test - 10/8 (English)

• Alternative Language High School Admission Test - 10/15 (Arabic, Polish, Urdu, Simplified Chinese and Spanish)

• Network 4 High School Fair @ Lakeview H.S. - 10/15 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.

• GoCPS Application window opens 9/23 @10 a.m.

• GoCPS Application window closes 11/14 @ 5 p.m.

Upcoming Open Houses:

• 9/27  - Walter Payton 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

• 10/1, 10/7 & 10/15 - Taft 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. *Registration is required - Link. 

• 10/5 - Northside 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

• 10/18 - Lincoln Park 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

• 10/18 - Von Steuben 8 a.m.- 9:30 a.m. or 10 a.m. -11:30 a.m.

• 10/19 - Whitney Young 12:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.

• 10/25 - Lakeview 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

• 10/25 - Jones 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

• 11/1 - Lane Tech 12 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. 

• 11/1 - Ogden International 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

• 11/1 - Amundsen 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Applying to High School on GoCPS

High School Selections & Offers: How Does This Work?

Different CPS High School programs: 

• Neighborhood

• Fine & Performing Arts

• STEM

• Charter

• World Language Programs

• Career and Technical Education (CTE)

• International Baccalaureate (IB)

• Magnet

• Service Leadership Academies

• Selective Enrollment

Quick/Helpful Links:

• Choice High Schools

• Choice High Schools-Programs with Admissions Screenings

• Selective Enrollment High Schools

• GoCPS 2025-2026 High School Scoring Rubric 

• GoCPS HSAT (High School Admission Test)

• GoCPS Tier Process

• GoCPS Understanding Ranking

• Principal Discretion Handbook

• High School Connection

HSAT Resources:

As we look ahead to the 2025 CPS High School Admissions Test, Alcott wants to ensure our rising 8th grade students feel confident and supported going into their final year of middle school. Below find a few helpful resources to guide summer HSAT preparation. 

1. Since the test is timed, practicing with tools that build both fluency and accuracy is key. We recommend using IXL, especially its Test Prep menus, to reinforce core reading and math skills. These are free and available to all students at  https://www.ixl.com/signin/alcott 

• click: LEARNING TAB >> TEST PREP >> scroll to the bottom and select a relevant skill math/reading plan, including any of the following:

1. 8th Grade IAR- comprehensive exposure to grade level rigor

2. PreACT- emphasizes critical thinking, reading analysis and algebra--useful for HSAT format/competitive placement

3. NWEA/MAP- great for building on core skills, ranging between grades 6-9

• Tip: A score of 85% or higher within 20-25 minutes is the recommended fluency goal 

2. You can access various practice tests, answer keys, and other resources to support independent review in this folder  https://sites.google.com/site/eetutortestprepresources/home

3. If you're looking for a supplemental workbook, trusted colleagues have also recommended this test prep guide to inform planning approaches. 

4. To support continued growth, all 8th grade students will participate in Test Prep as an elective during Quarter 1 of the 2025–26 school year. This dedicated time will help reinforce skills and boost student confidence.