TECCS  Application Procedures

Hudson County Community College (HCCC) sometimes offers a test prep class in the fall (please contact them directly for info) and there are also private companies that offer PSAT test prep classes.

Kaplan provides free online test prep classes:  https://www.kaptest.com/psat/pages/psat-prep-live

1. Sign up for the HSPT exam online  (https://www.njcoopexam.org/)

- indicate 3 school choices of where you would like to take the test; also indicate the schools where student is planning to apply

- cost of the exam is $65 (as of fall 2018 - awaiting updated info); you will receive a payment confirmation through email

2. After signing up for the HSPT exam, you will receive a notification indicating where you are registered to take the test. This notification will also state where you have stated that you would like your child's scores sent - this paper must be brought with you to the test (consider it your child's admit ticket)

3. Student takes the HSPT exam at their chosen site (student will receive an excused absence)

4. Student/parent complete the 9th Grade Applicant Record (and any additional forms required by the school) and return to their advisor (Ms. Milo/Ms. Mendoza) by the deadline listed in the timeline tab. ( This will give us sufficient time to complete the form for each student before the deadline).

5. Student / parent fill out an admissions form (available online on each school's website) for each school where the student would like to apply

6. TECCS completes the bottom portion of the 9th Grade Applicant Record, attaches students transcripts, and provides all info to schools by the deadline

7. To apply for financial aid, the family should call the high school directly or look at the school's website for procedures to apply

Code Numbers for the local Catholic High Schools (needed for the HSPT test) are:

School code numbers:

Hudson Catholic- 823

St. Peters Prep- 828

St. Dominic's Academy- 826

Charter schools are public schools which are available to all students through a lottery system.  An application must be completed by the parent.  No additional information need be submitted for a student to be considered.   Applications can be obtained online or from the student's TECCS high school advisor.

High Tech and County Prep applications are to be completed online. Students may apply to one or both schools. Please note:

• the application includes an essay prompt for each school. The essay weighs heavily and students should spend time writing a thoughtful essay about their interest area

• Portfolios are mandatory for High Tech - portfolios can only be submitted through a URL entered into the online application. Only Google slide presentations will be accepted - maximum 10 slides. A portfolio is not required for County Prep

• Students are encouraged to attend the Open House for each school of interest - this year there is a virtual open house for both schools (the links are on each school's website)

For schools where the application is already available (many are online) please work with your child to get them in as soon as you can. Ms. Odums must submit transcripts and this takes time, so we ask that you plan to get your applications in at least one week in advance of the school's deadline.

Students should speak with the teacher directly to request a recommendation (as a courtesy).   There is no form to provide.   No more than 3 teacher recommendations should be requested. 

Many schools (such as the Catholic schools, High Tech and County Prep) will ask for teacher recommendations to be completed online. Please make sure you follow the school's process at stated on their website.  

For JCBOE public schools, we are still awaiting procedures.  In past years, teachers filled out a form which was included in the application packet. When we are made aware of the procedures for JC Public schools we will let students know.

Students applying to private schools are responsible for knowing the procedures for teacher recommendations for those schools.

Note:  Recommendations are provided directly to the school, or to Ms. Odums.

Many schools offer "Freshman for a day" programs where a student can attend a full day at the high school (usually shadowing a current student) - this will help them get a better feel for what it's like to attend the school, and we encourage our students to take advantage of this opportunity for any schools they are seriously considering. 

The procedure for participation in these programs is as follows:

• please contact the school being visited directly to make arrangements

• when considering a date, please check with your child's teachers to ensure they will not be missing a test or class presentation.

• after you have chosen a date, please contact the TECCS school office to inform us of the date - your child will receive an excused absence for the day.

• most schools will provide documentation stating that your child attended the "student for a day" program - please provide a copy of this documentation to the main office.

Hudson County Schools:

High Tech: minimal support for special education students

County Prep: accepts special education students; has child study team

JC Public schools:

Dickinson: self-contained, resource room; can accommodate students on the spectrum; has child study team; offers OT

Ferris: self-contained & inclusion - no students on the spectrum; many students have 1-1 aides; has child study team;

Infinity: CCT model (not inclusion); small population - teacher goes into the classroom; offers OT and Speech

Innovation HS: inclusion only (in class support), no resource room; they have counselor on-site; has child study team

Liberty: inclusion only (no self-contained)

Charter Schools:

Hoboken Charter HS

University Academy

BelovED

Lottery based-will not ask on application regarding status, must accept IEP as a public school.

Private Schools:

Hudson Catholic: no in-class support but will consider students with IEP - they review IEP to see if they can accommodate needs; they also offer pullout for Math, ELA

St. Dominic Academy: no in-class support but will consider students with IEP - they review IEP to see if they can accommodate needs

St. Peter's Prep: school looks at 504/IEP with application, to see if they can accommodate needs. They have a full-time learning specialist on staff - works with students on organization, planning, executive function - "Browning Learning Center"