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How to Get Into Baltimore Polytechnic Institute (Poly): BCPSS Composite Score Guide 2026
Essay Writing & STEM Critical Thinking
June 04, 2026 9 min read

How to Get Into Baltimore Polytechnic Institute (Poly): BCPSS Composite Score Guide 2026

Getting into Baltimore Polytechnic Institute means mastering the BCPSS Composite Score — a formula most parents have never seen explained. This guide breaks down every component of the composite, shows the MCAP score ranges competitive Poly applicants actually hit, and tells you exactly what your child can do starting in 7th grade to build a winning application.

How to Prepare for the Bellarmine HSPT in 2026: The Complete 8th Grade Guide
Essay Writing & STEM Critical Thinking
June 04, 2026 11 min read

How to Prepare for the Bellarmine HSPT in 2026: The Complete 8th Grade Guide

Your child gets one shot at the Bellarmine HSPT — no retakes, no second chances. This guide gives 8th graders and their parents a week-by-week prep plan, score targets, and section-by-section strategy for Bellarmine College Preparatory's 2026 admissions test.

HSPT Prep for Archbishop Riordan 2026: Score Targets, Timeline, and Practice Test Strategy
Essay Writing & STEM Critical Thinking
June 03, 2026 10 min read

HSPT Prep for Archbishop Riordan 2026: Score Targets, Timeline, and Practice Test Strategy

Archbishop Riordan's HSPT is the one entrance exam your child can only take once — on a single Saturday in early December. This guide gives you score targets, a September-to-December prep timeline, and a strategy for the personal statement video that most Riordan applicants overlook entirely.

Archbishop Mitty Admissions Essay Tips: How to Write the Student Essay and Film the Video for 2026
Essay Writing & STEM Critical Thinking
June 03, 2026 9 min read

Archbishop Mitty Admissions Essay Tips: How to Write the Student Essay and Film the Video for 2026

Archbishop Mitty receives 1,500+ applications for roughly 450 freshman seats each year. This post breaks down exactly how to write the Archbishop Mitty admissions essay and film the student video required through Ravenna — two components almost no prep resource explains in detail. If your 8th grader is applying for fall 2026, start here.

How to Get Into Xavier College Preparatory (Phoenix): HSPT Scores, Writing Sample & What XCP Actually Looks For in 2026
Essay Writing & STEM Critical Thinking
June 02, 2026 10 min read

How to Get Into Xavier College Preparatory (Phoenix): HSPT Scores, Writing Sample & What XCP Actually Looks For in 2026

Getting into Xavier College Preparatory means preparing for two separate assessments — the HSPT and a distinct on-site Writing Sample — plus a full application review of your daughter's transcripts. This guide covers XCP's admissions process, diocesan test dates, competitive score benchmarks, and exactly how to prepare for both components before the January deadline.

How to Get Into Baltimore City College High School in 2026: MCAP Scores, BCC Composite Score Formula, and What It Really Takes
Essay Writing & STEM Critical Thinking
June 02, 2026 9 min read

How to Get Into Baltimore City College High School in 2026: MCAP Scores, BCC Composite Score Formula, and What It Really Takes

Baltimore City College High School admits roughly 425 students from nearly 3,000 applicants each year. This post breaks down the BCPS composite score formula — including how MCAP ELA and Math percentiles feed into your child's total — and tells you what score range is actually competitive, not just the 610 minimum floor.