Specialized High Schools Institute

What is the Specialized High Schools Institute (SHSI)?
The Specialized High Schools Institute (SHSI) is an extracurricular high school preparation program that prepares middle school students for the academic challenges of high school and to compete more effectively when taking the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT). The Specialized High Schools Institute includes rigorous coursework in literature, writing, mathematics and science, as well as group guidance activities. There is a focus on study habits, time management, critical thinking and test preparation skills.

What is the Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT)?
The SHSAT is the test used to determine admission to the following 8 Specialized High Schools: Bronx High School of Science; Brooklyn Technical High School; The Brooklyn Latin School; High School for Mathematics, Science and Engineering at City College; High School of American Studies at Lehman College; Queens High School for the Sciences at York College; Staten Island Technical High School and Stuyvesant High School.

Who is eligible to apply for the Specialized High School Institute?

Public School Student Eligibility:

Current 6th grade students
Economically disadvantaged students, as defined by Title I -Free Lunch status
Minimum Scaled Scores of at least 675-ELA and 675-Mathematics on Spring 2009 grade 5 standardized tests
Minimum of 90% Attendance (grade 5)

Private/Parochial School Student Eligibility:

Current 6th grade students
Economically disadvantaged students, as defined by Title I -Free Lunch status
At or above the 85th percentile in Reading and Mathematics on grade 5 assessments
Minimum of 90% Attendance (grade 5)

When does the Specialized High School Institute take place?
SHSI lasts for sixteen months and consists of two components:

7th Grade Foundations:
Summer: a five-week session (July 7 – August 11, 2010) during the summer between grade 6 and grade 7

School-Year: an extracurricular program held twice a week on Wednesday after school, and Saturday during the day

8th Grade Intensive:
Summer: a five-week session (Summer 2011) during the summer between grade 7 and grade 8

School-Year: an extracurricular program – prior to the administration of the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test in October – held twice a week on Wednesday after school and Saturday during the day

Students, with the support of their families, must commit to participate in:

The full-day, five-week summer sessions for both Summer 2010 and 2011
The full-day sessions on Saturdays (9:00 am – 2:50 pm) and after-school sessions on Wednesdays (4:30 pm – 7:00 pm) during the 2010 and 2011 school years

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