High School Application Guide
Applying to high school (HS) is an exciting, complex and often daunting process. At Falk, we have taken
pride in educating your child and preparing them for the transition to high school. Upon departure from
Falk, our hope is that you are able to secure the best possible high school placement for your child. We
want to assist you in this process and that is the purpose of this packet. Specifically, we intend to:








Explain basic high school options
Describe general application components
List popular high school selections
List links to HS applications & due dates
Define school, parent & student responsibilities
Outline how the counseling department supports this process
Describe support services for students with disabilities/learning concerns at private schools
List resources, application tips and 2013 events
Basic High School Options
The first question you must consider is what kind of high school(s) you want to apply to: public, private,
charter (e.g. Propel), cyber or boarding. Most Falk graduates attend public or private schools.
Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) offer various programs including: CAS (Centers for Advanced Study) –
for gifted and talented students, Magnet sites (use a lottery system, except for CAPA) – which allow
students to pursue special interests, talents or career goals, and PSP (Pittsburgh Scholars Program), to
name a few. Each program has a different focus (see appendix for program descriptions). Private
schools typically offer well-rounded, rigorous programs.
General Application Components
High school applications often include, but are not limited to, the following:
 Transcript
 Essay(s)
 Teacher/Counselor/Director recommendations
 Portfolio
 Audition (e.g. CAPA)
 IQ testing (e.g. CAS program at PPS)
 Student/Parent Questionnaire
 School Tour
 Entrance Exam (e.g. ISEE – Independent School Entrance Exam)
Updated 9/2013
1
Popular High School Selections
Pittsburgh Public Schools:
 Allderdice
 Obama – IB (International
Baccalaureate)
 CAPA (Creative and Performing
Arts School)
 Sci-Tech (Science & Technology
Academy)
Boarding:
 Kiski
Private:
 Shady Side Academy
 Winchester Thurston
 Ellis School (girls)
 Sewickley Academy
 Oakland Catholic (girls)
 Central Catholic (boys)
*This is just a sample; you may want to
look at Pittsburgh Parent Magazine for
more options.
Public Schools
PUBLIC SCHOOL APPLICATION LINKS:
PPS - Magnet Application & CAPA Supplements
o http://www.pps.k12.pa.us/Page/678
PITTSBURGH PUBLIC SCHOOL APPLICATION DUE DATES:
PPS applications employ hard deadlines (no exceptions) and are normally due in early
December, with the exception of CAPA.
 Magnet Application
o Posted: November 2013
o Due: February 2014
 Unless applying to CAPA, then adhere to CAPA deadline

CAPA Application (supplements + magnet app)
o Due: 10/25/13 by 5pm

CAS - Talent Application
o Posted: 11/2013
o Due: January/February 2014 (TBA)

CAS - Gifted Identification Process
o No deadline, on-going
Updated 9/2013
2
Private Schools
PRIVATE SCHOOL APPLICATION LINKS:







Shady Side Academy
o http://www.shadysideacademy.org/page.cfm?p=19
Winchester Thurston
o http://www.winchesterthurston.org/page.cfm?p=340
Ellis School (girls)
o http://www.theellisschool.org/podium/default.aspx?t=135160
Sewickley Academy
o http://www.sewickley.org/page.cfm?p=291
Oakland Catholic (girls)
o http://www.oaklandcatholic.org/admissions/applications/freshman-application/
Central Catholic (boys)
o http://www.centralcatholichs.com/Admissions_Overview.aspx
Kiski
o http://www.kiski.org/podium/default.aspx?t=112043
PRIVATE SCHOOL APPLICATION DUE DATES:
Private school applications are generally due between December and February.




Sewickley Academy*
o Rolling Admission
Shady Side Academy*
o 12/16/13
Winchester Thurston*
o 12/7/13
Ellis School*
o 1/1/14



Oakland Catholic**
o 1/1/14
Central Catholic**
o 2/1/14
Kiski
o 1/31/14
* These schools require the ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam)
** These schools utilize their own entrance exam
School, Parent & Student Responsibilities
The high school application process is ultimately the responsibility of the 8th grade family.
The counseling department supports this process in many ways, but is not responsible for
ensuring that families adhere to various school guidelines.
School:
 Counselor will meet with each 8th grade student individually & their parents separately
(not mandatory, but required to start CAS paperwork) in early fall to discuss schools of
interest and their application process
Updated 9/2013
3



Counselor will collect ALL transcript requests and teacher/director/counselor
recommendation forms and distribute them accordingly in coordination with
administrative support
Counselor will hand-deliver or mail all teacher/director/counselor recommendations,
along with student’s transcript, directly to designated high schools
Counselor will arrange necessary IQ testing at Falk for CAS applicants
Parent:
 Parent (or student) will submit ALL teacher recommendation forms and transcript
requests to Counselor – room 207A
o DO NOT give recommendation forms directly to teachers. This will inhibit our
ability to effectively track and manage these important documents.
o NOTE: Completed teacher recommendations are given to the intended schools
only. Copies will not be given or shown to parents as they are not a part of a
student’s permanent record.
 Complete general/parent application forms and submit directly to high schools
 Facilitate 8th grader in completing essays, portfolios, etc.
 Offer support (if needed) to help 8th grader initiate contact with respective teachers to
help prepare CAPA portfolio/audition materials – see below
Student:
 Student (or parent) will submit ALL teacher recommendation forms and transcript
requests to Counselor – room 207A
 Complete all student application forms & essays (some high schools prefer students to
handwrite their entries)
 CAPA - Required Portfolio or Audition Piece
o It will be the responsibility of 8th grade students applying to CAPA to prepare
and complete their own portfolio or music/musical theatre audition piece. If a
student wishes, they may seek out respective teachers in order to receive
general input about their portfolio, but the student must initiate this. Regarding
preparation for music/musical theatre auditions, students may work with Falk
music teachers to prepare their respective audition piece, but again, it is the
student's responsibility to initiate this collaboration.
Counseling Department Support
The counseling department wishes to help 8th grade families as much as possible during the
high school process (research, application and selection). For that reason, the following services
are offered:

High School Night
o Annual event where public and private high school representatives convene at
Falk to share information and answer questions about their respective schools
in a self-serve forum. (This years event listed below)
Updated 9/2013
4



High School Visit Days
o Pre-selected days for 8th graders to visit area private school campuses (see
below for schedule)
o Public schools are not able to accommodate mass visits. However, if you would
like your 8th grader to shadow at PPS, you can contact the school directly (e.g.
Allderdice) to set up a visit. The counseling department does not coordinate
these visits.
Middle School Bulletin Board
o Located in the middle school hallway, this calendar is devoted to making
middle school students aware of HS events/dates, in addition to Falk events
and assignments.
High School Information Distribution
o The counselor will send periodic e-blasts to 8th grade parents and students with
the following information:
 List of HS Open Houses – posted and emailed
 List of HS Visit Days – posted and emailed
 Any important high school related information
o Self-Service Filing System, located in the counseling office, includes:
 Public and private high school applications
 Teacher recommendation forms
 General high school information (pamphlets)
 The Pittsburgh Promise information
Support Services for Students with Disabilities
If your child has a diagnosed disability or learning concerns, we know you want to ensure that
their high school has the right services and team to support them. For this reason, Falk has
investigated the services offered at local private schools, which can vary greatly. Public school
resources are not listed because they are government mandated (for diagnosed disabilities) and
should be the same at all locations for students.
It is best to investigate these services directly with schools of interest as personnel and policies
can change yearly. Contact information is listed below. Also, you should be honest about your
child’s disability at the outset of the application process. Multiple admission representatives
clearly stated that the most positive outcomes were associated with initial transparency
regarding a diagnosed disability.
Private School Support Services
Offers some level of
support
Schools
Central
Catholic

Ellis

Updated 9/2013
Helpful
Services
Bishop
McDowell
Program
Contact Information
Brian Miller
412.208.3492
bmiller@centralcatholichs.com
Robin Newham
newhamr@theellisschool.org
5
Oakland
Catholic
Oakland
School
Sewickley
Academy



Shady Side
Academy

Winchester
Thurston

Caitlin Marchiano
412.682.6633 x253
Jan Stein
stein@theoaklandschool.org
Freshman
Seminar
Shannon Mulholland
412.741.2230 x3071
shannonm@sewickley.org
Creighton Runnette
412.968.3202
crunnette@shadysideacademy.org
Nancy Patton
412.578.7514
pattonn@winchesterthurston.org
Resources
Public
 PPS Options and Offerings Guide – 2013/14
o This guide helps demystify the many options available at PPS.
o http://www.pps.k12.pa.us/magnet -- Listed under “File Library”
Private
 FAME – Fund for Advancement of Minorities through Education
o This fund is available at certain private schools for minority students.
o http://www.famefund.org/about/

ISEE Testing
o http://erblearn.org/parents/admission/isee/isee-test-overview
Pittsburgh Public School Application Tips
CAPA (Creative and Performing Arts School)
 CAPA requires 2 different applications: the CAPA supplement materials and the
magnet application. On the magnet application, students must select CAPA as their
first choice. Students may apply to CAPA for a maximum of two different art forms. If
so, they must complete 2 separate CAPA supplements (arts supplement, essay and
letter of recommendation) but only one magnet application.
 In addition to the two required applications for CAPA, you may elect to apply for the
CAS program at CAPA. See below for more information about CAS.
CAS (Centers for Advanced Study, i.e. gifted program)
 The CAS process begins by parents arranging a meeting with the school counselor.
At this meeting, the essential paperwork (permission to evaluate form, or PTE) will be
completed. It is necessary to do this as soon as possible in the fall, no later than October
15, as the outcome might determine which high schools you apply to.
 There are now two ways to enroll in the CAS program, which operates at various PPS
schools such as Allderdice, CAPA, Obama and Sci-Tech:
1. Be identified as gifted
 Requires gifted written report (GWR) & IQ testing; ensures GIEP (gifted
individualized education plan)
Updated 9/2013
6



IQ testing takes place at Falk by a PPS psychologist. The counselor
contacts parents to set up a testing time.
2. Complete the CAS Talent application (posted late fall)
 Application only, no IQ testing; dependent on high grades and Terra
Nova scores
Families can utilize one or both methods previously listed.
To go through either CAS process, you must be a Pittsburgh city resident.
o If you are considering moving to the district, you could:
 Submit a Talent application, but it would not be reviewed until you had
proof of city residence
 Have your home district complete a gifted evaluation, which should be
honored by PPS if you move to the district
Private School Application Tips
ENTRANCE EXAMS
o Register as soon as possible for these exams.
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL ENTRANCE EXAM (ISEE) TESTING:
 This exam is required for most local private schools, except for Catholic schools.
 Area private schools act as test sites for the exam, including Winchester Thurston and
Sewickley Academy.
 You must register for the exam in advance and pay a fee (approximately $100).

ISEE TESTING ACCOMODATIONS AVAILABLE
o If your child has a diagnosed disability, your child might be eligible for ISEE
testing accommodations for which you must apply following these directions:
o Selecting “Yes” for the question regarding diagnosed learning difference.
o Provide the necessary documentation needed as stated by ISEE
 Securing the necessary documentation must be done in conjunction
with the Educational Support Department at Falk. Contact Rich Kelly
at 412.624.9725 or rfk14@pitt.edu for this information.
 Provide the Educational Support Department with at least 2 weeks
before the ISEE deadline (5 weeks before test date) notice in order for
the school to prepare and forward the necessary documentation
To learn more about the exam, learning difference modifications, or to register for an
exam, go to:
o http://erblearn.org/parents/admission/isee/isee-test-overview
AREA CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
 Pittsburgh area Catholic high schools utilize their own entrance exam. For more
information, visit their websites.
o Oakland Catholic (girls) & Central Catholic (boys) school website links listed in
Application Links above.
Updated 9/2013
7
2013 Events
HIGH SCHOOL NIGHT:

Wednesday, October 2, 2013
o 6-8pm
o Falk Café (PPS) & Gym (Private)
HIGH SCHOOL VISIT DAYS:

Shady Side Academy – Friday, October 4, 2013

Ellis School – Thursday, October 10, 2013

Oakland Catholic & Central Catholic – Friday, October 11, 2013

Winchester Thurston – Friday, October 18, 2013
o
Sign-Up: Students need to sign up for these visits by Friday, Sept. 27. Sign-up
sheets will be posted outside room 203, across from the counseling office.
o
Transportation: For all visits, the respective high schools send a van/bus to Falk
to transport our students. Ms. Dorosh will facilitate the logistics and send
reminders about these visits.
Appendix
PITTSBURGH PUBLIC SCHOOL INFORMATION:
CENTERS FOR ADVANCED STUDY (CAS)
A Four-Year Accelerated Program for Identified Gifted Students
MAGNET PROGRAM
Magnet schools and programs allow students to pursue special interests, talents or career
goals. Magnets can enroll students who reside in various attendance areas in the Pittsburgh
Public School District. The PPS Guide to Offerings and Options (link listed in on-line
resources) includes descriptions of the choices in the Pittsburgh Public Schools for
the 2014-2014 school year. We encourage you to read this booklet carefully before
completing an application.
PITTSBURGH SCHOLARS PROGRAM
The Pittsburgh Scholars Program (PSP) offers a four-year sequential curriculum for an indepth study of English, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, and Foreign Language.
Updated 9/2013
8