Cps Selective Enrollment Cutoff Scores 20242024 Updated 'link' Info
For the 2024-2025 school year, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) selective enrollment high school (SEHS) cutoff scores remained highly competitive, with top-tier schools like Walter Payton Northside College Prep
Note: These figures reflect initial offers released in February/March 2024. Cutoffs for the current 2025-2026 cycle were released in March 2025 and are available for comparison on the Official GoCPS Resources Page. How the Point System Works cps selective enrollment cutoff scores 20242024 updated
- Selective enrollment programs: elementary gifted programs, selective enrollment high schools (academic and specialized), and citywide gifted centers.
- Cutoff scores: numerical thresholds used to offer seats; applicants at or above the cutoff receive offers in rank order until seats fill.
- Components: standardized test scores (e.g., IAR/ISBE assessments or screening tests), grades, GPA, and sometimes rubric-based criteria for specialized programs.
- Purpose of 2024 update: reflect changes in applicant volume, demographic shifts, and test administration alterations following COVID-era policy adjustments.
- Understand the test format: Familiarize yourself with the test format and content.
- Practice with sample questions: Practice with sample questions to help your child become comfortable with the test format and content.
- Develop a study plan: Develop a study plan that outlines what your child needs to work on and when.
- Focus on weak areas: Focus on areas where your child needs improvement.
- Take practice tests: Take practice tests to help your child become comfortable with the test format and to identify areas where they need improvement.
The Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Selective Enrollment program is a highly competitive and sought-after program that provides students with a rigorous and challenging educational experience. The program is designed for students who demonstrate exceptional academic ability, and admission is based on a student's performance on the Selective Enrollment Test. For the 2024-2025 school year, Chicago Public Schools
Analysis of the 2024 Cutoffs
The Tier 4 Ceiling is Rising. Look at Northside and Payton. A student in Tier 4 (wealthiest/least disadvantaged) needed an astronomical 885 or 886 to get into the top two schools. That means nearly perfect grades (4.0 weighted) and an almost flawless entrance exam score (99th percentile). For Tier 4 families, the "cutoff" is essentially a perfection requirement. Understand the test format: Familiarize yourself with the
The final composite score is a percentile ranking from 100 to 900.
Academic Centers (7th Grade Entry): Minimums ranged by tier, with some Tier 4 cutoffs reaching 557.5 out of 600.
Note: Specific tier scores fluctuate annually based on applicant pool strength in each geographic tier. Key Trends & Observations High School Resources | Chicago Public Schools