BPS Students to take the City's Exam Schools Entrance Examination

BPS Students to take the City's Exam Schools Entrance Examination

Boston, MA - Boston Public Schools (BPS) will offer the Independent School Entrance Examination (ISEE) for entrance to the city's three examination schools, Boston Latin Academy, Boston Latin School, and John D. O'Bryant School of Mathematics & Science. The ISEE test registration deadline is September 23, 2016, and the test date is November 5, 2016. "This is an important time of year and it is our hope that every child takes advantage of this opportunity," said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "We want our schools to have a diverse student body across the board, and this includes our exam schools. If you know a parent, please spread the word." Students must currently be in grades 6, 8 and 9 to take the ISEE. Interested candidates may obtain application materials from the Principal/Headmaster of his or her present school. Applications will also be available at the BPS Welcome Centers and all branches of the Boston Public Library during the third week in September. New students are admitted to grades 7 and 9 at all three exam schools.  The John D. O'Bryant is the only exam school that accepts new students for grade 10.  As of June 2010, the Boston School Committee voted to approve the Superintendent's recommended change in the residency date for application to exam schools. The new residency policy requires both the applicant and Parent/Guardian to reside in the City of Boston and complete the verification process no later than Friday, November 4, 2016. "This year, we're aiming to increase awareness for the ISEE test among our families," said Boston Public Schools Superintendent Tommy Chang. "As we continue to identify best practices to increase rigor in all schools, we are also committed to ensuring all students who wish are able to access our exam schools." For further information on the ISEE, contact Enrollment Planning & Support at 617-635-9512 or visit our website at www.bostonpublicschools.org. Additionally BPS will offer the TerraNova test to students currently enrolled in grades 3, 4, and 5 at private, parochial, and charter schools for possible entrance into the Advanced Work Class (AWC) Program beginning in September 2017. AWC is a full-day program located in select Boston Public Schools across the city. The AWC program includes the same subjects as the regular education program, however, each subject is studied in more depth at an accelerated pace and requires the completion of more classroom work and homework by the student.   The TerraNova will be administered, free of charge, to Boston residents currently attending Private, Parochial or Charter Schools at the Washington Irving Middle School, 105 Cummins Hwy, Roslindale on Saturday, October 15, 2016.  Students who attend Boston Public Schools must take the test in their assigned school. Registration materials for the TerraNova will be mailed to all non-public schools in Boston, and available for pick up at BPS Welcome Centers as well as all branches of the Boston Public Library.  The deadline for registration is September 23, 2016.