We publish 17 in-depth prep guides covering 11 selective enrollment and competitive admission schools in Illinois, including CPS Classical Schools (Skinner North Classical, Skinner West Classical, Metz Elementary Classical, Coonley Elementary Classical, LaSalle Language Academy Classical), CPS Selective Enrollment Elementary Schools – Regional Gifted Centers (RGCs), CPS Selective Enrollment High Schools (HSAT), CPS Selective Enrollment HS (HSAT), Francis W. Parker School, IMSA - Illinois Math & Science Academy, Latin School of Chicago, Loyola Academy, and 3 more — covering essays, exam strategy, and application timelines.
Marist High School requires the HSPT — and your score determines both admission and up to $4,000 per year in merit scholarships. This guide covers every section of the exam, Marist's scholarship percentile thresholds, the one-school testing rule, and a month-by-month prep plan built around STEM Critical Thinking skills.
Marist High School requires the HSPT — and the sections that demand HSPT STEM critical thinking skills are the ones that decide both admission and merit scholarship eligibility. This post breaks down exactly what the Quantitative Skills and Mathematics sections test, which percentile scores matter at Marist, and how targeted STEM Critical Thinking practice tests can move your 8th grader from the 75th to the 95th percentile before the December test date.
Most Saint Ignatius HSPT prep stops at multiple choice — but the Student Writing Prompt that follows can quietly shape your child's admissions file. This post explains exactly what the post-HSPT essay involves, what Ignatian-aligned reviewers look for, and how to prepare at home with timed essay practice.
Every parent applying to Saint Ignatius College Prep asks the same question: what HSPT score does my child actually need? This guide gives you realistic score targets, section-by-section strategy, and a prep roadmap built specifically for the Saint Ignatius admissions process — including the overlooked Student Writing Prompt.
The ISEE essay is unscored by ERB — but University of Chicago Laboratory Schools reads every word. This guide gives 8th graders and their parents concrete ISEE Upper Level essay writing strategies built around what Lab's admissions committee actually values: structured argument and intellectual maturity.