Specialized High Schools Student Handbook Admissions Information and Sample Tests 2008–2009 Bronx High School of Science High School of American Studies at Lehman College The Brooklyn Latin School Queens High School for the Sciences at York College Brooklyn Technical High School Staten Island Technical High School for Mathematics, High School Science and Engineering at the City College Stuyvesant High School Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts MESSAGE TO STUDENTS AND PARENTS About Specialized High Schools Admissions uhe 2008-2009 Specialized High Schools Student Handbook describes the programs and admissions procedures for the Specialized High Schools in T New York City, which are: Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, Bronx High School of Science, The Brooklyn Latin School, Brooklyn Technical High School, High School for Mathematics, Science and Engineering at the 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. These schools were established under New York State Law 2590 – Section G. To apply, students must be residents of New York City. Each school provides students with a unique opportunity to pursue special interests and to develop their talents. Entrance into these schools is by examination except for Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts which is by audition and a review of academic records. You should meet with your guidance counselor to discuss registration for the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT) or audition requirements. In this handbook, you will find useful information about the Specialized High Schools including programs in the schools, admission procedures, sample tests with test-taking tips, and a calendar of important dates. This handbook can be used by students and parents. Included in this handbook are two complete sample tests of the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test with answers and explanations to help you prepare for the actual test. It is important to familiarize yourself with the information contained in this handbook. The Specialized High Schools Student Handbook is a project of the New York City Department of Education, the Office of Student Enrollment and the Office of Accountability. For more information on other New York City public high schools, please see the Directory of the New York City Public High Schools or online at http://schools.nyc.gov/ChoicesEnrollment/High/default.htm. 2 Contents SECTION 1: The Specialized High Schools uBronx High School of Science . 4 The Brooklyn Latin School . 4 Brooklyn Technical High School . 4 High School for Mathematics, Science and Engineering at the City College . 5 High School of American Studies at Lehman College . 5 Queens High School for the Sciences at York College . 5 Staten Island Technical High School . 6 Stuyvesant High School . 6 Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts . 6 SECTION 2: Dates and Locations uSpecialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT) Dates and Locations . 7 Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts Audition Information . 8 Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts Audition Dates . 9 SECTION 3: Specialized High Schools Application Process uSHSAT Testing Procedures . 10 Auditioning for Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts . 10 Notification Information . 11 Admissions Process, Specialized High Schools Admissions Test . 11 Additional SHSAT Information . 11 Make-up Tests . 11 Special Needs . 11 uSECTION 4: Test Description & Materials Test Materials . 12 Filling In the Answer Sheet . 12 SHSAT Scoring, Reporting, and Review Procedures . 15 Discovery Program . 15 uSECTION 5: SHSAT Useful Tips for Testing Before Test Day . 16 Day of the Test . 17 Verbal Section . 18 Mathematics Section . 24 Sample Tests General Directions . 26 Sample Answer Sheet, Form A . 28 Sample Test, Form A . 30 Sample Test, Form A, Explanations of Correct Answers . 54 Sample Answer Sheet, Form B . 65 Sample Test, Form B . 66 Sample Test, Form B, Explanations of Correct Answers . 90 Sample Math Problems for Grade 9 Students . 99 Cover artwork by Andrew Teoh, student at Tottenville High School. Sample test items are taken from materials copyright © 1983-2008, NCS Pearson, Inc., 5601 Green Valley Drive, Bloomington, MN 55437. 3 uSECTION 1 The SPECIALIZED High Schools There are nine Specialized High Schools in New York City. For eight of these schools, admission is based on the score attained on the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT). The exception is Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts (LaGuardia High School) where acceptance is by audition and a review of academic records. General descriptions for the Specialized High Schools can be found in the Directory of the New York City Public High Schools (online at http://schools.nyc.gov/ChoicesEnrollment/ High/default.htm). Below is more information about the Specialized High School programs. Bronx High School of Science Students are required to take four years of Latin, along with four years of English and history, and three years of 75 West 205th Street, Bronx, New York 10468 laboratory science. All classes conduct Socratic Seminar TELEPHONE: (718) 817-7700 and round-table discussions led by students, including WEbsITE: www.bxscience.edu regular public speaking exercises, known as declamations. E-MAIL: [email protected] u In the first year, students are introduced to the classical Bronx High School of Science has a world-renowned world. In their English survey class, students read corner- reputation, boasting seven Nobel Laureates, more than stone works such as The Odyssey and The Aeneid. At the most countries, and is the nation’s all-time leader in the same time, they study the history of classical civilizations Westinghouse/Intel Science Talent Search. Bronx Science such as Egypt and Greece and translate selections from provides an enriched and diverse program to prepare Roman literature in their introductory Latin class. All freshmen students for leadership positions in science and society. are also required to take physics, mathematics, art history, Teachers are recognized professionals specializing in the and a modern foreign language (Spanish). sciences, arts, and humanities. Students benefit from a well-rounded education. Upperclassmen take advanced-level classes, which stress an in-depth approach to subject matter and instruction. Bronx High School of Science offers Advanced Placement Electives are offered in the humanities, along with sciences courses in physics, chemistry, biology, calculus, statistics, such as chemistry and biology. computer science, United States history, government, economics, world history, European history, English literature, In addition to academics, The Brooklyn Latin School English language, French Latin language, Spanish literature, provides a full range of physical education offerings, along Spanish language, Japanese, Russian, art history, studio art, with counseling services and extracurricular activities. and music theory. Bronx Science also offers nine languages, Students are encouraged to take an active role in molding extensive electives in biology, physics, chemistry, technology, the culture of the school, and it is expected that their time and the humanities. The music department offers the oppor- at Brooklyn Latin will prepare them to become the future tunity to participate in the orchestra, band, chorus, and jazz leaders of the nation. ensembles. Extracurricular activities include over 60 after-school clubs, Brooklyn Technical High School 30 athletic teams, an internationally acclaimed Speech and 29 Fort Greene Place, Brooklyn, New York 11217 Debate Team, Mock Trial, a world-class Robotics Team, TELEPHONE: (718) 804-6400 two full-scale theatrical productions, school newspaper, uWEbsITE: www.bths.edu and journals. Brooklyn Technical High School is committed to providing The Brooklyn Latin School an outstanding educational experience in the areas of engineering, the sciences, and computer science for its 325 Bushwick Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11206 student body. TELEPHONE: (718) 366-0154 During the ninth and tenth grades, all students take an uThe Brooklyn Latin School provides a rigorous education academic core and begin to explore the fields of engineering, in the classics through a student-centered approach that science, and computers through hands-on experience in fully stresses questioning, discussion, and exploration of the equipped laboratories, computer centers, shops, and theory ideas that have shaped Western society. classes. 4 For the eleventh and twelfth grades, Tech students choose All students engage in a three-year chronological study one of the following major areas of concentration, orga- of American history. Our aim is to make history come alive nized in schools: Aerospace Engineering, Architecture, through the use of primary source documents, films, biogra- Bio-Medical, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Computer phies, literature, and creative teaching techniques. Supported Science Technology, Electro-Mechanical Engineering by the Gilder-Lehrman Institute, students gain firsthand (Applied Physics), Environmental Science, Industrial Design, knowledge of the key events in American history through International Arts and Sciences, Law & Society, Mathematics,