CPS Obsessed

The Gifted/Classical testing period has ended and a few days ago I noticed a big spike in hits here… I can only guess that people are now trying to find out WHEN they’ll find out the news – How did my child do?  Did they get a spot anywhere?

According to the CPS GEAP site, letters notifying parents of admission for the first round will be mailed March 20th.  If my memory serves me correctly (which it often does not) the letters with the test score should  arrive about a week before that.

What can you figure out from the test scores?  Well, for Classical, if your child scores in the 97th percentile or lower, chances are slim that you’ll get in anywhere since there are so few slots.

For the Gifted Test for Kindergarten, it seems that down to 95th% could get you in… but you never really know.  And may not even know until September as people start shuffling around.

So if you think you will have all the answers when you get your test scores – far from it!  You may end up getting an offer for a spot a month later and have just days to decide if you’ll take it.   Hard time for neurotic parents.  Have plenty of wine on hand.

NOTE: 2 comments posted that are worth reading:

I called the Office of Academic Enhancement the other day to check on this, and they told me that they changed the policy this year.  There is no separate mailing prior to the school decision letters that details test results.  She said this year they are combining those two mailings, so you’ll find out the test results at the same time as you get acceptance letters, which mail on the 20th.  Good luck everyone!

I’ll add another anecdote: I know personally of 3 kids accepted to Classical and Gifted programs who scored below 90.  Friend who is a SW at CPS says the schools have to fill those classroom spots. So they go down the list until they’re filled.