In this article, we will provide an overview of the CPS Selective Enrollment program, discuss the factors that influence cutoff scores, and provide the most up-to-date information on the cutoff scores for the 2024-2025 school year.
As the largest Selective Enrollment school, Lane Tech maintains highly competitive Tier 4 (862) and General Rank (868) scores, but its sheer size offers slightly more flexibility in the lower tiers compared to Payton or Whitney Young. It remains one of the most heavily applied-to schools in Chicago. Strategic Advice for Future Applicants
The data highlights a significant statistical point gap between Tier 1 and Tier 4 cutoffs. At schools like Northside College Prep, the difference between a Tier 1 cutoff (762) and a Tier 4 cutoff (886) spans over 120 points. This architecture protects geographic diversity, ensuring high-performing students from under-resourced neighborhoods are not boxed out by students with access to expensive test-prep resources. 3. Lane Tech Offers the Highest Volume of Seats
Below is a detailed breakdown of the ultimate cutoff scores for the 2024–2025 academic year admissions cycle, analyzing trends across tiers and schools. Understanding the CPS 900-Point Selection System cps selective enrollment cutoff scores 20242024 updated
If you didn't receive an offer or are unhappy with your result, keep these options in mind:
+--------------------------------+------------+------------+------------+------------+------------+ | School Name | Rank Pool | Tier 1 Min | Tier 2 Min | Tier 3 Min | Tier 4 Min | +--------------------------------+------------+------------+------------+------------+------------+ | Walter Payton College Prep | ~898–900 | ~795–840 | ~870–885 | ~885–895 | 900 | | Northside College Prep | ~895–900 | ~715–780 | ~845–865 | ~875–885 | ~892–898 | | Whitney M. Young Magnet | ~890–895 | ~820–835 | ~865–875 | ~875–880 | ~885–895 | | Jones College Prep | ~890–893 | ~750–780 | ~840–855 | ~865–870 | ~875–882 | | Lane Tech College Prep | ~875–885 | ~700–740 | ~800–825 | ~840–855 | ~860–870 | +--------------------------------+------------+------------+------------+------------+------------+
To manage the volume of high-achieving applicants, CPS uses a . Your student's total points are calculated from two main components, each accounting for 50% of the total score. In this article, we will provide an overview
CPS converts your 7th-grade core course grades (Reading, Math, Science, Social Studies) into a scale. An A in an honors class is worth more than an A in a standard class.
Long-term (program choice and equity lens)
The minimum required point scores below reflect the metrics from the initial spring offer releases. Cutoff scores peak at elite institutions like Walter Payton and Northside College Prep, where Tier 4 applicants routinely require near-perfect or completely perfect 900-point scores. Strategic Advice for Future Applicants The data highlights
Points are calculated using final letter grades from core subjects: Math, English Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies. An "A" awards 112.5 points, a "B" awards 75 points, and a "C" awards 38 points.
The table below lists the final cutoff scores (the lowest score accepted) for the top Selective Enrollment High Schools for the 2024–2025 school year admissions cycle. High School General Rank (Top 30%) Tier 1 Cutoff Tier 2 Cutoff Tier 3 Cutoff Tier 4 Cutoff Northside College Prep Jones College Prep Whitney M. Young Magnet Lane Tech College Prep Brooks College Prep Hancock College Prep Lindblom Math & Science King College Prep South Shore International Key Trends and Takeaways from the 2024 Cycle 1. The "Big Four" Elite Cutoffs Remain Sky-High
: Tier 4 cutoff scores increased by 4 points compared to the previous cycle. : Schools such as , Whitney Young , Jones College Prep , and Northside Prep recorded some of the highest cutoff scores in the city.
Admission is determined by a composite score out of 900 points, split equally between two components: 7th Grade Core Grades (450 points):
Taken in the fall of eighth grade, the CPS HSAT evaluates students in Reading and Math. Each section maxes out at 225 points, converted directly from the student's national percentile rank. Deciphering the CPS Four-Tier Socio-Economic System