Nationwide closures of schools and test centers have left students reeling. In New York City, many intermediate and high school students wonder when they will be able to apply for entrance into a specialized high school or take the SAT.
As part of Kweller Prep’s mission to prepare students for higher education success, we are committed to providing guidance and demanding timely answers for hard-working students.
Specialized High School Admission Test (SHSAT) Cancellation News and Updates
As of November 20, 2020, the New York City Department of Education has not provided students or their families with clear information on new testing and admission dates. Our team is currently exploring legal options to ensure that the department is held responsible for creating and announcing a precise testing and admission schedule as soon as possible. We encourage all concerned parents and students to contact their local political representatives in protest of the city’s lack of transparency.
When are specialized high school applications due?
This year’s original specialized high school application deadline (December 4, 2020) has been canceled. The Department of Education has not announced a new application timeframe.
Will my student be able to attend a specialized high school for the 2021-2022 academic year?
New York’s unique and treasured specialized high school system has served students from all boroughs since 1972. Our expectation is that the Department of Education will continue this tradition and ensure equitable access for students before the start of the 2021 academic year.
New 2020 test and admission dates may be announced at any time! Students seeking a Specialized High School admission are advised to continue their test preparations. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kweller Prep offers remote and in-person ongoing weekend SHSAT preparation classes starting Saturday, December 5. Register now.
Catholic Schools are Seeing a Higher Demand of Enrollment from Disaffected Public School Families
An unprecedented number of New York families are turning to the city’s parochial schools for quality, in-person education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Application for admission to schools in the Archdiocese of New York begins on December 1, 2020. The Archdiocese is committed to in-person education unless otherwise ordered by the Governor’s office. New York Catholic schools offer educational opportunities for students of all ages:
- Free Pre-K education for three- and four-year-old children
- Elementary and intermediate education for grades K-8
- Coeducational, all-girls, and all-boys high school options for grades 9-12
Parochial schools can provide a high-quality education alternative to parents with specialized high school access or remote education concerns. The Archdiocese of New York reports a graduation rate of 99%, with 98% of graduates accepted to a post-secondary education program. New York’s parochial school system strives to admit all students, regardless of immigration status or financial resources. Students in the Archdiocese of New York may be eligible for an Inner-City Catholic Schools scholarship.
Demand for TACHS Prep has Skyrocketed
The Test for Admission to Catholic High Schools (TACHS) is a parochial counterpart to the SHSAT. The test is administered to students in eighth grade. It is required for admission to Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of New York, the Diocese of Brooklyn/Queens and the Diocese of Rockville Centre Long Island.
Students may have their scores sent to three Catholic high schools for admissions consideration. The TACHS Catholic school entrance exam is mandatory for all students, including those currently enrolled in a Catholic elementary school.
Due to increased competition for a spot in New York’s Catholic schools, any student interested in attending a Catholic high school is strongly encouraged to prepare for the test in advance, as they would for the SHSAT.
Kweller Prep provides complete TACHS test preparation courses that prepare students for successful admission to the Catholic high school of their choice. Additional tutoring services and summer camp programs are available to ensure students are ready for TACHS entrance exam preparation.
TACHS examinations for the 2021-2022 school year have closed. Kweller Prep is currently scheduling consultations with families interested in preparing their middle school-aged child for a competitive Catholic high school education in the 2022-2023 academic year.
Students are Traveling afar to Take the SAT Exam
Current high school students are facing uncertainty about access to higher education entrance exams like the SAT. The New York Post recently reported that New York high school students are traveling to Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland to take the test. However, as COVID-19 cases rise throughout the northeastern U.S. region, last-minute SAT cancellations are common.
All high school students preparing for college are advised to still plan on taking the SAT. The SAT continues to be required at many colleges and can provide weight to applications at competitive “SAT optional” institutions. The College Board, a nonprofit organization behind the SAT and other entrance exams, maintains an updated list of test center closures on its website. Kweller Prep is continuing to offer complete SAT preparation courses in anticipation of a robust 2021 testing schedule.
Tutoring Services for SAT, TACHS and SHSAT Exams
Kweller Prep is currently enrolling new students in test preparation programs. In-person, virtual and weekend courses are available. Every tutoring group consists of no more than 10 students, ensuring individualized focus and attention. Kweller Prep tutors are current college students or recent graduates of top universities, medical and legal schools.
SAT preparation tutoring for high school sophomores and juniors begins December 5, 2020, and runs through March 7, 2021. SHSAT exam preparation for students in eighth and ninth grade begins December 5, 2020, and runs through March 14, 2021. Our next TACHS preparation class will be announced shortly.
Work with a Tutoring Agency that Helps Students get to the Next Level of their Academic Career
Despite the confusion and uncertainty that many students are experiencing regarding their SHSAT and SAT exams, the current remote learning environment is an excellent opportunity for young scholars to recommit to their exam preparation. We believe that today’s students will emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic more resilient and even more prepared for a bright future than ever before.