Being the father of a 6th grader with helicopter tendencies (I really hope you just said, “Aren’t we all?!”), I realized it’s the middle of September.
So naturally it’s time to obsess about applications for exam schools.
Guess what? Check your kids’ backpack, that is if your 6th or 8th grader hasn’t given the application to you yet. The applications came home today.
An Application For What?
I speak of the application form for the Independent School Entrance Exam or ISEE, the entrance exam for the three BPS Exam schools, as well as for some private/independent schools.
All BPS 6th and 8th graders can take the test as long as they fill out this application. All 6th and 8th graders received their package from our Guidance Counselor Sue Trotz.
- A fully completed application will mean your 6th or 8th grader can take the upcoming ISEE scheduled this year for Saturday, November 2nd, 2013.
- Sue would love all completed applications back with her (or your homeroom teacher) by Wednesday, September 25th.
- A deadline of October 4th exists for all those who need Special Accommodations such as IEPs, 504 Plans etc. You can download the form here, but please read the section of special accommodations below first.
If for some reason your 6th or 8th grader did not receive an application package, you can get them at your local Boston public library branch.
A bonus is that the Curley is one of several test sites, so Curley students will have the benefit of home ground as it were. A make-up test, however is also scheduled for November 16th if you are unable to make the November 2nd test.
Sue also reminded me that, “there is no other BPS application required for the exam schools. All BPS students who take the test will be asked to fill out a form designating their choice of school around January. We do not hear about acceptances until Spring.”
Special Accommodations
Students with documented disabilities may request to take the exam with accommodations. To be eligible, the student must have a disability that requires testing with accommodations and have appropriate documentation that establishes a current need.
To apply for a special accommodation, please have your child’s school submit a completed request form and a copy of your child’s Individualized Education Program, 504 Plan, Neuro-Psychological Evaluation, or physician’s letter documenting a health concern to:
Maria Vieira
Boston Public Schools
Enrollment Planning & Support
26 Court Street, 4th Floor
Boston, MA 02108
The Special Accommodations request form is available here. All requests must be submitted by October 4, 2013 to make arrangements for the November 2 exam. Confirmation letters will be mailed home the last week in October detailing approved accommodations. Please be advised that special accommodations will not be granted at the test site without a confirmation letter from Enrollment Planning & Support.
So What Are The Exam Schools?
The Boston Public Schools (BPS) have three exam schools in addition to its other high schools – Boston Latin Academy, Boston Latin School, and the John D. O’Bryant School of Mathematics and Science. Students must be residents of Boston to apply for and attend an exam school. Admission is based entirely on a student’s grades and test scores from the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE). Each school is a 7th – 12th grade school.
Please note, you do NOT have to apply if you don’t want to!
Eligible students must currently be in grade 6 to apply for grade 7, or grade 8 to apply for grade 9 at all three exam schools. Students currently in grade 9 may take the exam to apply for grade 10 at the John D. O’Bryant School of Mathematics & Science only.
If you have questions about the Boston Exam Schools, the admission process, the residency policy or require assistance, please contact:
Maria Vieira
Enrollment Planning & Support
Tel: 617-635-9512
Email: mvieira@boston.k12.ma.us
Website: www.bostonpublicschools.org/exam
Other Resources
Test Preparation
If you have not already done so, the administrators of the test have some preparation materials for your student to use:
- An overview page with a very buried link at the bottom of the page…
- …which leads to a page where you can download a free pdf study guide depending on what grade your student will be entering.
BPS related resources and other links
- BPS overview page
- Admission Procedures for the Boston Exam Schools
If you are a 4th or 5th grader’s parent or guardian who is trying to sort out what this all means, you may be interested in Section VII entitled “The Grade Point Average (GPA)” in this publication. - More information? Contact Maria Vieira, Enrollment Planning and Support, 617-635-9512
Today is Monday, September 16th. Sue Trotz and your 6th and 8th grade homeroom teachers want the completed forms back by Wednesday, September 25th.
Like many of you, I’m going through this process for the first time… So I guess I will go and sharpen those number 2 pencils now.
