High School
Admissions Process
School District of Philadelphia,
Charter, & Independent
Schools
the more the options, the better
 Look into as many choices as possibleWhat does that mean? PUBLIC, CHARTER,
INDEPENDENT, ALTERNATIVE
 Take initiative to explore as many schools
as possible
 Talk to your children throughout the
process
The School District of
Philadelphia
Special Admissions
Citywide Admissions
Neighborhood Schools
Special Admissions
To be considered a qualified candidate:
1. PSSA scores : High Proficient - Advanced - High Advanced
2. Good attendance
3. Good behavior (i.e. lack of discipline
problems/suspensions)
4. Grades of “A’s” and “B’s” in core subjects (Math, Science,
Social Science, Reading/Language Arts)
** transcripts are also sent to each Special Admissions
schools
**may request writing sample with the application and
interview process?
Citywide Admissions
 To be considered a qualified candidate:
1. Participate in an on-site interview at most of these
schools to be eligible for lottery selection for admission
2. Have grades of “A, B, or C”
3. Have good attendance and good behavior (less than 10
absences or 5 latenesses)
**Submit a written essay
Neighborhood Schools
 Open admissions to any student that lives in that school’s
neighborhood (“feeder pattern.”)
 Students who are not in the school’s feeder pattern but
would still like to attend a neighborhood school outside of
his/her neighborhood needs to apply.
NOTE: admittance of non-feeder pattern students is
based upon space after all students within the feeder
pattern are admitted and lottery selection.
A Note to Parents
 “Students with disabilities and English
Language Learners are encouraged to apply
to special admission and citywide admission
high schools. Admission criteria may be
waived for those students who, given
accommodations, may be successful in
requested schools, as determined by the
appropriate school teams.”
 Adapted from The School District of Philadelphia
Secondary Education Guide.
High School Voluntary Transfer Application Form
Specifics about the Application
 Biographical information: **Most Accessible phone numbers
and mailing addresses
 Make up to 5 appropriate choices, in ranked order
 Transcripts to be filled out for all Citywide/Special
Admissions schools
 Sign and return by due date : Applications may be turned in
early, but they will all be processed at the same time. ONLY
ONE application per student!
 As a Charter School student, these must be sent directly to
the Office of Student Placement by the final due date (WCS
has own due date so we can review and hand deliver)
More Specifics
• High school admission directories, forms and
transcripts will be provided when they are
available.
• Students will review high school process during
Guidance : including the application, decision
making, and essay writing/interview skills
GENERAL TIMELINE
 September-October: Directories, WCS Fall HS
Matters Night, SDP HS Expo, Research schools
 September-March: HS visits-tours, shadows (families
call schools directly)
 BY end of OCTOBER: applications DUE (to WCS then
to Office of Student Placement)
 November-January: HS interviews, auditions
 January-March: Decision making on applicants
 March-summer: Notifications for all
acceptances/declines/waitlist
WCS 2013 Graduates
HIGH SCHOOLS LIST
(can be found on WCS website)
Popular SPECIAL ADMISSIONS:
Academy at Palumbo, Central, Girls HS,
Parkway CC, Parkway NW, Saul, Science
Leadership Academy, CAPA
Popular CITY WIDE:
Dobbins, Swenson, Constitution
Top –Rated SDP Schools
Special Admission: Carver, Girard Palumbo,
Central, Bodine, CAPA, Franklin, HS for
Girls, SLA, Benjamin Rush
City-wide: Motivation HS
* From GreatPhillySchools.org
Charter Schools
 Admission Criteria :
*Not part of School District of Philadelphia
Admissions process
*Must contact schools directly to obtain
information about academic, specialty,
career and technical program offerings, to
learn about admissions/applications
 These schools admit students based upon lottery, so even
though an application may be submitted early, that doesn’t
guarantee admittance, however, apply early!
WCS 2012 Graduates
CHARTER Schools
Popular CHARTER Schools:
Delaware Valley, Boys Latin, CHAD, Freire,
Imhotep, New Media, SanKofa Freedom
Academy, Multicultural, String Theory
Top-Rated Charter
Schools
Freire, Mastery, New Foundations,
Preparatory, Boy’s Latin, MCSCS, MultiCultural, Philadelphia Academy
* From GreatPhillySchools.org
Independent/Private Schools
 Admission Criteria :
*Must contact schools directly to obtain information
about academic, specialty, career and technical
program offerings; and to learn about
admissions/applications
 SSAT:The Secondary School Admissions Test??
information available upon request.
More
WCS 2012 Graduates
INDEPENDENT SCHOOLs
INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS:
Mercy Vocational, The George School,
Cristo Rey, St. Andrews, Academy of New
Church
Alternative Programs
Cyber high schools
Online schools
Resources
 Philadelphia School District website
www.phila.k12.pa.us/parents Guides HS process
for parents, including school directory.
 Great Philly Schools- greatphillyschools.org
Excellent online resource to find the best Philly
schools.
 The Notebook - www.thenotebook.org An
independent voice for Philadelphia public schools.
 A Better Chance- www.abetterchance.org College
Preparatory Schools Program.
FOR REVIEW
WHO REMEMBERS…
What are the THREE different types of
School District of Philadelphia high schools?
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF
PHILADELPHIA
SPECIAL ADMISSIONS
CITY WIDE ADMISSIONS
NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL
CHARTER/INDEPENDENT
SCHOOLS
WHO REMEMBERS…
HOW DO YOU APPLY TO A CHARTER /
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL?
CHARTER /
INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS
CALL EACH SCHOOL DIRECTLY AND FILL
OUT THEIR APPLICATION
APPLY TO AS MANY AS YOU WANT!!
QUESTIONS??
Questions to Ask Ourselves
 Is my child a qualified candidate for the schools of our choice?
 What if s/he really wants to go to a particular school but is not qualified?
What do I say/do?
 Does my child benefit from a smaller setting or a larger setting?
 Is a public school, private, or charter school best for my child?
 What are all of my options?
 What electives/extra-curricular activities are available?
 What will be the travel time? Is my child an early riser? Will s/he want to go to
and get out of school earlier?
 Where will my child’s learning needs best be met?
 Are there scholarships available? If so, where?
 How do I make sure we don’t miss any deadlines?
 Who can I talk to/When can I talk about specific questions/concerns about my
child?
BE PROACTIVE!!
Hope for the best, and act on it!
Is there anything extra we can be doing at
this time?
Research, research, research
Options, options, options
contact information
 Erin Crowley, School Counselor
 267.338.1020, extension 151
 ecrowley@wissahickoncharter.org