Created and Presented By:Ms. AvashiaMs. KileyMs. SanchezJohn W. McCormack Middle School

Your Child Has Been in 8th Grade for 2 Weeks…Why are we already talking to you about

high school? Complexity: The high school choice process in

Boston is complicated, and students need support in figuring out how to choose a high school.

Importance: High school matters. Where a child attends high school in Boston may directly affect their academic success in high school, and their preparedness for college.

Empowerment: You and your child have the ability to investigate the high school options in Boston, and determine which will be the best fit.

High Schools in Boston

Large, Comprehensive Public High Schools

Large High Schools Broken into Small Learning Communities

Exam Schools Pilot Schools Charter Schools Private and Parochial Schools

Large, Comprehensive Public High Schools Examples: Brighton, East Boston,

English, Burke Advantages:

Have many extra-curricular opportunities for students—sports, clubs, internships, etc.

Offer a wider variety of courses. Disadvantages:

Teachers have large numbers of students to keep track of; if your child is not a strong advocate for his/herself it is easy to get lost.

Large High Schools Broken into Small Learning Communities Examples: South Boston, West Roxbury,

Hyde Park, Dorchester Advantages:

There are 3-4 “schools within a school”, each with its own specific theme and staff.

At some schools, the theme is strong, and evident in the school’s courses and programs.

Disadvantages: Small schools sometimes lack the

extracurricular opportunities that large schools offer

Exam Schools

Examples: Boston Latin School, Boston Latin Academy, John D. O’Bryant School for Math and Science

Advantages: College preparation, academic rigor,

many resources Disadvantages:

“You’re on your own” mentality—limited guidance and support available for struggling students.

Pilot High Schools

Examples: Fenway, Boston Arts Academy, New Mission, BCLA

Advantages: Small student population Strong focus on college preparation

Disadvantages: Must complete an application to be

considered for admission Lack some of the extracurriculars of

larger high schools

Charter, Private, and Parochial Schools

Examples: City on a Hill, MATCH, Winsor, North Cambridge Catholic, Catholic Memorial

Advantages: Small student population Focus on college preparation

Disadvantages: Can accept, reject, or expel students at will Do not always have appropriate services for ELL

or Special Education students May charge a fee to attend (in private and

parochial schools)

Factors to Consider When Choosing a High School Size Graduation Rate Location Theme Services Application Process Extra-Curriculars

Factor 1: Size

Small schools: 400 students or fewer Large schools: 800 students or more Small schools tend to have smaller

classes, and more academic support. Large schools tend to have more

extra-curricular activities, like sports, clubs, and internships.Which is most important to you?

Factor 2: Graduation Rate The 4-year graduation rate tells you

what percentage of students graduate on time.

The 4-year graduation rate also tells you whether students are passing or failing their classes, getting enough academic support, learning what they need to learn, etc. What are the graduation rates at

the schools you are interested in?

Factor 3: Location

Location can be important, but shouldn’t be the only factor you base your decision on.

There are no buses in high school. Students are responsible for their transportation. You need your child’s school to be located such that it is easy for him/her to get there on time!

Depending on where you live, and where your child chooses to go to school, the travel time can be anywhere from 10 minutes (Ashmont to TechBoston) to 1.5 hours (Ashmont to Charlestown)

How does location affect your decision about what school to attend?

Factor 4: Theme Most high schools have a theme that

guides their teaching and learning. For example, if the theme is “health”, then they may have more health classes, internships, after-school programs, etc.

Some schools have stronger themes than others, but if a theme interests you, you should definitely visit the school to see if the theme actually affects the everyday lives of students.

What themes are most interesting to your child?

Factor 5: Services It’s important to know whether a high

school has the services necessary to best support your child.

Consider the following support services when looking at high schools: special education (inclusion or pull-out model); English as a Second Language; socio-emotional, college, and career counseling.

What types of services will your child need to be successful in high school?

Factor 6: Application Process Most schools just require that you rank

them 1st on your school registration form (comes out in January, and must be filled out and returned during that month).

Some schools have applications, essays, teacher recommendations, and interviews.Are you willing to support your child in filling out applications in order to

attend the high school of their choice?

Factor 7: Extra-curriculars Extra-curriculars are the activities

available to students after school, and over the summer. These include sports, clubs, internships, travel experiences, etc.

How important are extra-curriculars to you and your child?

Which extra-curriculars do you want to have at your child’s high

school?

Other Factors to Consider Start and end time for the school day Percentage of students passing MCAS

in 10th grade Average student score on the SAT Percentage of students going to college Percentage of students STAYING in

college after the 1st yearWhen you visit schools, ask these

questions if they are things you want to know about!

Important Dates to Know Citywide Showcase of Schools:

Saturday, October 24th, 1-4 p.m., Reggie Lewis Center in Roxbury

School Preview Time: November 2-January 22. Schools will hold open houses and shadow days for students. Student absences for school visits are EXCUSED.

First Registration Period: January 4-February 5, 2010. Students MUST turn in a registration form during this time if they want a high school of their choosing!

Size: 226 students 4-year graduation rate: 58% Location: Brighton, MA Theme: Rigorous college preparatory

curriculum with a focus on reading and writing Services: L4, R2, R3; No ELL Application Process: School Registration

Form Extra-curriculars: ACC plays for Brighton

High School; Running; Chess; Knitting; Step; Boys and Girls Groups; Newspaper Club

Hours: 8-3:30 for 9th and 10th graders (8-2:30 for 11th and 12th graders)

Size: 404 students 4-Year Graduation Rate: 84% Location: Fenway Theme: Arts, Theatre, Dance, Visual Art,

Vocal and Instrumental Music Services: L4, L3, P4, Q4, R2, R3; ELL

(Spanish) Application Process: 3 step process—

Application to Audition, Audition, and final application

Extra-curriculars: No sports. Tutoring; Gay Straight Alliance; Culture-Based Clubs

Hours: 9:30-3:55 on M, 7:55-3:40 on T & Th, 7:55-1:00 on F

Size: 380 students 4-year Graduation Rate: 71% Location: Brighton, MA Theme: College Prep, Leadership Services: A4, L4, R2; ELL (Spanish) Application Process: Application and

Interview with Parent/Guardian Extra-curriculars: Step team; sports

with Brighton High; Debate; Yearbook Hours: 8:00-3:15 (11:30 dismissal on

Fridays)

Boston Day and Evening Academy

Size: 134 students 4-year Graduation Rate: 19% Location: Roxbury Theme: Alternative school for students 16-21 Services: Application Process: Application, Interview,

Diagnostic Assessment, 4 day Orientation Extra-curriculars: Internships, Shadowships Hours: Hours vary. Evening options exist.

Boston International High School Size: 177 students 4-year Graduation Rate: 31% Location: Dorchester Theme: SEI students who have been

in the country for 2 years or less Application Process: Must meet

the criteria for ELL beginner or early intermediate

Extra-curriculars: Soccer, baseball, and volleyball

Hours: 7:50am – 2:10 pm

Size: 1223 students 4-year Graduation Rate: 63% Location: Brighton Theme: Business and Technology, Media Arts, Law

and Government, Health Professions, Teach Boston Services: A4, L4, U4; ELL (Spanish) Application Process: Rank as a top choice on

your school registration form Extra-curriculars: Latinos in Action, Asian Club,

Haitian Club, Football, Soccer, Basketball, Hockey, Track, Baseball, Cheerleading, Softball, Tennis

Hours: 7:40am – 2:03pm

Brook Farm Academy

Size: 350 students 4-year Graduation Rate: 75.3% Location: West Roxbury Theme: College Prep with Business Focus Services: Multi-handicap Program (P4);

No ELL Application Process: School registration

form Extra-curriculars: Internships, Debate,

Social Awareness, JV and Varsity sports Hours: 7:20am – 1:40pm

Boston Latin Academy

Size: 1647 students 4-year Graduation Rate: 94.5% Location: Dorchester Theme: College Prep Application Process: ISEE Exam Extra-curriculars: Baseball, softball,

basketball, track, swimming, football, soccer, music, peer tutoring,

Hours: 7:20am-1:40pm

Boston Latin School

Size: 2406 students 4-year Graduation Rate: 95% Location: Fenway Theme: College Prep Application Process: ISEE Exam Extra-curriculars: Baseball, softball,

basketball, track, swimming, soccer, chorus, band, debate, theatre

Hours: 7:45am-2:15pm

Jeremiah E. Burke High School Size: 650 students 4-year Graduation Rate: 43.5% Location: Dorchester Theme: Arts and Humanities; Health and

Human Services; Information Technology Services: L4, P4, Q4, R2, R3; No Spanish ELL Application Process: School registration

form Extra-curriculars: All sports, School

Newspaper, Literary Magazine, Science and Math clubs

Hours: 7:50am – 2:10pm

Charlestown High School Size: 1148 students 4-year Graduation Rate: 45% Location: Charlestown Theme: College Prep, Character,

Humanitarianism, Service Services: Multi-handicap Program (P4),

L4, A4, R2, R3; No Spanish ELL Application Process: School registration

form Extra-curriculars: football, soccer, cross-

country, baseball, softball, basketball, volleyball, gospel choir

Hours: 7:20am – 1:40pm

Community Academy for Science and Health Size: 366 students 4-year Graduation Rate: 61% Location: Hyde Park Themes: Science and Health Services: A4, L4, U4, Resource Room (R2,

R3); No ELL Application Process: School registration

form Extra-curriculars: football, basketball,

soccer, cheerleading, track and field Hours: 7:45am-2:05pm

East Boston High School

Size: 1373 students 4-year Graduation Rate: 50% Location: East Boston Theme: Management; Health and Human

Services; Media; Art. Services: A4, L4, U4, B4, Resource Room (R2,

R3); ELL (Spanish) Application Process: School registration

form Extra-curriculars: Volleyball, Swimming,

Football, Soccer, Baseball, Softball, Track, Hockey, Basketball, Cheerleading, Dance Club, JROTC, Multicultural Show

Hours: 7:45am – 2:05pm

The Engineering School Size: 316 students 4-year Graduation Rate: 39% Location: Hyde Park Theme: Engineering Services: Multi-handicap Program (P4),

Resource Room (R2, R3); No ELL Application Process: School registration

form Extra-curriculars: Robotics, Science Fair,

Football, Soccer, Track, Cheerleading, Softball, Baseball, Basketball, Partnerships with MIT

Hours: 7:45am – 2:05pm

The English High School Size: 800 students 4-year Graduation Rate: 57% Location: Jamaica Plain Theme: College for All Services: A4, L4, B4, P4, R2, R3; Bilingual

for A4, R2, R3; ELL (Spanish) Application Process: School Registration

form Extra-curriculars: Football, Soccer,

Cheerleading, Basketball, Volleyball, Track, Baseball, Softball, Tutoring, Upward Bound, Service trip to Mexico

Hours: 7:45am – 3:25pm

Size: 340 students 4-year Graduation Rate: 59% Location: South Boston Theme: College Prep program with

technology component Services: U4, L4, R2, R3, A4 Application Process: School registration

form Extra-curriculars: Robotics, Film, Theatre,

Martial Arts, Football, Soccer, Volleyball, Baseball, Basketball, Track, Softball, Cheerleading

Hours: 7:20am – 1:40pm

4-year Graduation Rate: 83% Location: Fenway Theme: College Prep Services: L4, No ELL Application Process: Application & essay Extra-curriculars: Baseball, softball,

basketball, track, Photography, Fitness room, Engineering club, Internships, College classes at Emmanuel

Hours: 8:40am - 3:30 (M,W,Th), 2:20 (T) & 12:45 (F)

Health Careers Academy Size: 207 students 4-year Graduation Rate: 100% Location: Fenway/Northeastern Theme: Health professions Services: A4 with all students fully

included; No ELL Program, but ELL students attend

Application Process: Application with essay, and must attend an info session

Extra-curriculars: Basketball, step team, dance team, Tae Kwon Do, cooking, art, sewing, internships

Hours: 7:25am – 2:30pm

John D. O’Bryant High School Size: 1261 students 4-year Graduation Rate: 95% Location: Roxbury Theme: College Prep, Math and

Science Application Process: ISEE Exam Extra-curriculars: Cheerleading,

Football, Basketball, volleyball, softball, track, chess, drama, step, Gateway College Prep, Internships

Hours: 7:20am-1:40pm

Size: 1419 students 4-year Graduation Rate: 46% Location: Roxbury Theme: Technical Vocational—computers,

graphics, cooking, medical assisting, cosmetology, carpentry, electricity, plumbing, sheet metal, auto mechanics, etc.

Services: A4, L4, B4, Q4 Application Process: School registration form Extra-curriculars: Sports, JROTC, Internships Hours: 7:40am – 2:00pm

Media Communications Technology High School Size: 360 students 4-year Graduation Rate: 81% Location: West Roxbury Theme: Media Communications Services: A4, B4, L4, P4; Yes ELL Application Process: School registration

form Extra-curriculars: Soccer, Volleyball,

Football, Basketball, Swimming, Track, Baseball, Softball, TV studio, Photography studio

Hours: 7:20am – 1:40pm

Size: 327 students 4-year Graduation Rate: 57% Location: South Boston Theme: Public Safety and Criminal Justice Services: L4, A4, Q4, Resource Room (R2, R3) Application Process: School registration

form Extra-curriculars: Soccer, Volleyball, Football,

Basketball, Track, South Africa Exchange Club, Internships with Boston Police and Fire, JROTC

Hours: 7:20am – 1:40pm

New Mission High School Size: 270 students 4-year Graduation Rate: 58% Location: Roxbury Theme: Social Justice, College Prep Services: No ELL Application Process: Application with

essay, interview Extra-curriculars: Debate, Basketball,

Track, Football, Softball, Cheerleading, Step, Community Service, Student Government

Hours: 7:55am – 2:30pm (W dismissal at 12:30)

Noonan Academy of Business and Public Service

Size: 500 students 4-year Graduation Rate: 39% Location: Dorchester Theme: Business, Public Service, Law and Criminal

Justice, Community Service, Economics, Leadership Services: Q4, L4, Resource Room (R2, R3); No ELL Application Process: School registration form Extra-curriculars: Soccer, Volleyball, Football,

Basketball, Track, Baseball, Softball, Debate, Internships, Shadowships

Hours: 7:50am – 2:10pm

Odyssey High School Size: 326 students 4-year Graduation Rate: 39% Location: South Boston Theme: Environmental Science Services: L4, Resource Room (R2,

R3) Application Process: School registration form

Extra-curriculars: Volleyball, Football, Basketball, Track, Baseball, Hockey, Cheerleading, Internships

Hours: 7:20am – 1:40pm

Parkway Academy of Technology and Health (PATH)

Size: 300 students 4-year Graduation Rate: 83% Location: West Roxbury Theme: Health and Technology Services: A4, L4, B4, R2, R3, R1; No ELL Application Process: School

registration form Extra-curriculars: All sports, French

Club, Multi-Cultural Club, Mock Trial Club, dance, theater, drumming, SAT Prep

Hours: 7:20am – 1:40pm

Size: 392 students 4-year Graduation Rate: 60% Location: Copley Theme: International Studies and World

Languages Services: L4, R2, R3 Application Process: School registration

form Extra-curriculars: Soccer, Volleyball,

Football, Basketball, Track, Baseball, Softball, Hockey, Wrestling, International Travel, Dance Team, Theatre, School Magazine

Hours: 8:00am – 2:20pm

Social Justice Academy Size: 305 students 4-year Graduation Rate: 40% Location: Hyde Park Theme: Social Activism, Civic Engagement,

Academic Rigor, Community Service, Law, Respect for all people

Services: A4, B4, L4, U4, Resource Room (R2, R3)

Application Process: School registration form Extra-curriculars: Soccer, Volleyball, Football,

Basketball, Track, Dance, Theatre, Student Government

Hours: 7:45am – 2:05pm

Size: 330 students 4-year Graduation Rate: 83% Location: Dorchester Theme: Project-based learning using

technology Services: Q4, R2, R3, L4, U4 Application Process: School registration

form Extra-curriculars: Poetry Club, Full Sports

Program, Photography Hours: 8:15am – 3:55 (M,T,Th), 3:30 (W),

& 2:30 (F)

Urban Science Academy Size: 289 students 4-year Graduation Rate: 44% Location: West Roxbury Theme: Science, Technology, Math, Arts Services: L4, B4, R2, R3; No ELL

program, but ELL students attend Application Process: School

registration form Extra-curriculars: Debate, Robotics,

Drama, Music, Full sports program, Photography, Computers, Step Team

Hours: 7:20am – 1:40pm