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September, 2024
Dear St. Barnabas Junior High Parents/Guardians,
It’s an exciting time for high school admissions as area schools welcome visitors to their school for student shadow days, parent/guardian info sessions, and school-wide open house events.
To support our students' decision-making process, we share details about preparing for the High School Placement Test (HSPT), letters of recommendation, visiting high schools, and scholarship opportunities. While our 8th-grade students are closest to this process, we also share with our 6th and 7th-grade families as you and your child begin to reflect on the high-school journey.
This is not an exhaustive list of school options but a guide to some of the Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools traditionally well-attended by St. Barnabas students. If you have questions about public schools in our area, including exploring CPS Select Enrollment options, please contact the School Counselor, Ms. Jeanne Miller.
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HIGH SCHOOL PLACEMENT TEST
Taken by all 8th-grade students seeking admission at a Chicago-area Catholic high school, the HSPT entrance exam is on Saturday, December 7. Registration for the exam is coordinated by students and parents/guardians directly with the high school admissions office, not through St. Barnabas. Students may only take the test at one area Catholic high school.
The best test preparation for students is being dedicated to their studies at St. Barnabas. The material covered on the test largely falls within the curriculum content at St. Barnabas. In August, we also shared information with 8th-grade families about the Redwood Prep test preparation course offered by Dr. Matt O’Keefe. The Thursday class offering is now full, but there may be additional spots in the Saturday class. Exposure to a practice test to fine-tune timing and scantron formats can be beneficial. HSPT preparation books are available at retailers such as Amazon should you opt for additional practice at home.
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LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION
Several high schools or scholarship opportunities request letters of recommendation from teachers or administrators. Should your 8th-grade child need a letter of recommendation, please ask them to reflect on who best to write the letter.
If a letter of recommendation is needed, students should email the teacher or administrator and ask if they would write it. Please also complete this recommendation request and allow at least two weeks' notice for the letter to be completed.
Not all students will need a letter of recommendation; please review the process for your high school or scholarship of choice to see if this is required.
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EXPLORING HIGH SCHOOLS
Earlier this week, our 7th and 8th-grade students had the opportunity to attend the High School Fair coordinated through the Archdiocese of Chicago. With numerous Catholic schools in the area, we believe each family can truly find the perfect fit. This school-day event allowed students to hear from a range of schools, and we hope your child came away from this experience excited about the possibilities that lie ahead.
Open house visits and shadow days are a popular and beneficial experience for students when considering a high school. Shadow days require advance scheduling through the high school and each high school is unique in its shadow offerings. Some schools only allow for current 8th-grade students, while others allow 6th-8th grade students to shadow. Many schools also host admissions events for specialized student interests, including theater, music, sports, Model UN, and STEM. Details are available through each school's admissions website.
St. Barnabas 8th grade students are allowed two excused absence days to participate in a shadow experience. Shadow days require pre-approval from St. Barnabas School. If your child plans to miss a day of class, please email Mrs. Connolly.
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Shadow Days - most Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays; pre-registration required
Open House - Wednesday, October 23 and Saturday, November 16
Parent/Guardian Coffee Info Sessions - Thursday, October 10; Thursday, November 7; Thursday, November 21; Thursday, December 5
LINK to the De La Salle Admissions
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Shadow Days - open to 8th-grade students now through the end of November; pre-registration is required
Open House - Sunday, November 10
Admissions Coffee - Thursday, October 10; Friday, October 25; Wednesday, November 20. Pre-registration required, parent/guardian event
Virtual Tour
LINK to the St. Ignatius Admissions
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Shadow Days - open to students in 7th and 8th grade; pre-registration required
Open House - Sunday, September 29 and Sunday, November 10
Personal Tour - Wednesday, October 16 and Wednesday, November 20
LINK to the St. Laurence Admissions
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BROTHER RICE
Shadow Days - most Fridays and also on Columbus Day; pre-registration required
Open House - Sunday, October 6, and Sunday, November 3, and Wednesday, December 4
Last Look Open House - Wednesday, November 29
Virtual Tour
LINK to the Brother Rice Admissions
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MT. CARMEL
Shadow Days - available most days to those in 7th or 8th grade; pre-registration required
Open House - Sunday, October 6 and Sunday, November 17
Prospective Moms - Thursday, October 24
Honors Program Preview - Thursday, November 7
Link to the Mt. Carmel Admissions
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ST. RITA
Shadow Day - any day of the week, pre-registration required
Private Tours - Private tours are available upon request.
Open House - Sunday, October 13
Celebrate St. Rita - Thursday, November 14
Link to the St. Rita Admissions
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Many area Catholic High Schools offer need-based financial assistance. We encourage families to explore this process now, as several schools have a financial assistance and scholarship deadline before the December entrance exam. Some high schools also offer merit and legacy scholarships. Scholarship information can be found on each school's admission website.
Detailed below are a few additional scholarship opportunities for families to consider. These scholarships are not tied to a particular high school, and all students who meet these criteria are encouraged to apply.
DANIEL MURPHY SCHOLARSHIP
application due October 1
8th-grade applicants who demonstrate financial need as well as academic and leadership potential are the best candidates for a Murphy scholarship. Applicants must live in the Chicagoland area or Lake County to be eligible for the scholarship. MORE DETAIL.
LINK UNLIMITED
application due March
Any black 8th-grade student with demonstrated financial need is eligible to apply to LINK Unlimited Scholars. Competitive candidates are confident communicators who are highly motivated, focused, involved in school and community, desire mentorship, and are college-bound. MORE DETAILS.
ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
In the spring of 8th grade, St. Barnabas School, along with the Men’s Club, Athletic Board, and School Advisory Board, will honor a few students with partial scholarships to support their future high school plans.
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If you have any questions regarding the high school application process, please reach out to School Counselor, Ms. Jeanne Miller, jmiller@stbarnabasparish.org. | | | | | | |
