NYC High School Admissions Guide: SHSAT Registration Deadline Falls Today

Chalkbeat New York has published a detailed guide to help families navigate the city's high school admissions process, noting that October 30 is the last day for eighth-graders to register for the Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT). Eighth graders can choose from 700 programs across 400 schools in the five boroughs, with applications due December 4 and offers expected after 3 p.m. on March 3, 2027.

Last year, roughly 68,000 eighth graders submitted applications; of those, 58% were offered their top-choice school and 82% received one of their top three choices.

The guide outlines several admissions pathways: about 20 large comprehensive schools guarantee spots for students within a geographic zone; nearly 130 screened programs evaluate applicants on seventh-grade GPAs in core subjects, with roughly 30 of those also requiring essays and interviews; and about 80 open-enrollment schools assign seats purely by lottery number. Eight schools admit students solely on the SHSAT score.

The SHSAT will be administered in middle and K–8 schools during the school day on November 18; other students can sit the exam at central Education Department locations on November 14 or 15. Last year, about 26,100 eighth graders took the SHSAT and roughly 4,000 received offers.

The guide also explains how to locate a lottery number through the city's MySchools portal and how to build a balanced list, advising students to include both reach schools and programs where their odds of admission are stronger.