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Illinois School Entrance Exam Prep Guides

In-depth guides for selective enrollment and competitive admission schools across Illinois — covering essays, exam strategy, and application timelines.

Skinner North vs. Skinner West vs. Metz vs. Coonley vs. LaSalle Classical: Which CPS Classical School Is Right for Your Child? (2026)
CPS Classical Schools (Skinner North Classical, Skinner West Classical, Metz Elementary Classical, Coonley Elementary Classical, LaSalle Language Academy Classical)
June 10, 2026 9 min read

Skinner North vs. Skinner West vs. Metz vs. Coonley vs. LaSalle Classical: Which CPS Classical School Is Right for Your Child? (2026)

Choosing among CPS Classical Schools — Skinner North, Skinner West, Metz, Coonley, and LaSalle Language Academy Classical — starts with understanding one test. This guide compares all five schools by location, grade span, admissions competitiveness, and exactly what the 300-point Classical exam measures. Find out how to prepare your child before the November testing window opens.

CPS HSAT 2026-2027: Complete Parent Guide to Chicago Selective Enrollment High School Admissions
CPS Selective Enrollment High Schools (HSAT)
May 23, 2026 12 min read

CPS HSAT 2026-2027: Complete Parent Guide to Chicago Selective Enrollment High School Admissions

The CPS HSAT 2026 is a single 60-minute test with no retakes — and it determines half your child's Chicago selective enrollment admissions score. This guide covers the 2026-2027 test dates, the 900-point scoring system, how socioeconomic tiers affect cut scores, and exactly when to start preparing. If your 7th grader has a top selective enrollment school on their list, bookmark this page.

Loyola Academy HSPT Prep Timeline: When to Start (and What to Focus On)
Loyola Academy
May 30, 2026 9 min read

Loyola Academy HSPT Prep Timeline: When to Start (and What to Focus On)

The Loyola Academy HSPT is administered just once — on the first Saturday in December — and there are no retakes. This prep timeline maps every milestone from summer through exam day, with a focus on the Quantitative Skills section most 8th graders overlook and the scores needed for admission and merit scholarships.