The cutoff scores for the CPS Selective Enrollment program vary from year to year, and are based on the performance of students who take the Selective Enrollment Test. The following are the 2024 cutoff scores for the CPS Selective Enrollment program:
, with 450 points from 7th-grade core subject grades and 450 points from the HSAT. Chicago Public Schools
: In the event of identical point totals, CPS uses the HSAT Math Standard Score first, followed by the HSAT Reading Standard Score, and finally a random computerized lottery. Chicago Public Schools Scoring Rubric Overview CPS Selective Enrollment High School Admissions Process cps selective enrollment cutoff scores 20242024 updated
| What You Can Control | Strategic Action | | :--- | :--- | | | Focus on achieving the highest possible final grades in Reading, Math, Science, and Social Studies. These are worth half the total points and are locked in before 8th grade begins. | | HSAT Preparation | The HSAT is the single most impactful variable you can influence in 8th grade. Create a structured study plan or consider test prep to aim for the top percentile scores. | | Tier Understanding | Know your Tier (find it on the GoCPS portal). This contextualizes your score and tells you which scores are competitive for your address. | | Research and Realism | Use past cutoff scores as a guide to build a balanced list of "reach," "target," and "likely" schools. A high score is your best strategy regardless of your Tier. |
*Note: Some scores for mid-level schools vary significantly by tier due to localized demand and the tier-based distribution system. The cutoff scores for the CPS Selective Enrollment
While the pressure remains high, the updated scores for 2024 also offer a moment of comparison following significant changes in previous years. The admissions process had previously undergone major structural changes, including the removal of the "tier" system which previously allocated seats based on socio-economic factors. The current system, while modified, still struggles with the balance of pure academic ranking versus demographic diversity. The 2024 cutoffs show a stabilization of sorts; while the absolute highest scores remain elusive for most, we see a clearer picture of how schools rank against one another. For instance, the gap between the "Big Three" schools (Payton, Northside, Lane Tech) and the second tier of selective schools remains distinct. This stratification forces families to make difficult strategic choices, often realizing that applying to a "reach" school carries the risk of being waitlisted while missing an opportunity at a solid "match" school.
| School | Competitive Score (Tier 1) | Competitive Score (Tier 4) | |--------|----------------------------|----------------------------| | Payton | 830 | 860 | | Northside | 820 | 850 | | Jones | 810 | 840 | | Young | 800 | 830 | | Lane | 760 | 790 | | Lindblom | 740 | 770 | | Brooks | 720 | 750 | | King | 690 | 720 | Chicago Public Schools Scoring Rubric Overview CPS Selective
Navigating the Chicago Public Schools Selective Enrollment System: Cutoff Scores and Application Breakdown
In 2024, received a 891 composite. The highest composite admitted to Northside was 889.
Below are the official minimum composite scores for first-round offers for the (released Spring 2024).
| No. of Take up Positions | No. of Spindles | No. of Sections | MACHINE DIMENSIONS | Motor | Nos | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LENGTH | WIDTH | HEIGHT | |||||
| 160 | 320 | 10 | 48 | 1'10" | 6 | 5 | 1 |
| 176 | 352 | 11 | 52 | 1'10" | 6 | 5 | 1 |
| 192 | 384 | 12 | 57 | 1'10" | 6 | 5 | 1 |
| 208 | 416 | 13 | 61 | 1'10" | 6 | 7.5 | 1 |
| 224 | 448 | 14 | 65 | 1'10" | 6 | 7.5 | 1 |
| 240 | 480 | 15 | 70 | 1'10" | 6 | 7.5 | 1 |
| No. of Spindles | No. of Sections | MACHINE DIMENSIONS | Motor | Nos | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LENGTH | WIDTH | HEIGHT | ||||
| 360 | 10 | 48 | 1'10" | 6 | 2 | 2 |
| 396 | 11 | 52 | 1'10" | 6 | 5 | 2 |
| 432 | 12 | 52 | 1'10" | 6 | 5 | 2 |
| 468 | 13 | 61 | 1'10" | 6 | 5 | 2 |
| 504 | 14 | 65 | 1'10" | 6 | 7.5 | 2 |
| 540 | 15 | 70 | 1'10" | 6 | 7.5 | 2 |