We publish 11 in-depth prep guides covering 10 selective enrollment and competitive admission schools in Michigan, including Brother Rice High School, Cass Technical High School, De La Salle Collegiate High School, Detroit Examination High Schools, Martin Luther King, Jr. Senior High School, Mercy High School, Renaissance High School, Shrine Catholic High School, and 2 more — covering essays, exam strategy, and application timelines.
Brother Rice High School requires every applicant to take the HSPT — and the Archdiocese of Detroit allows only one attempt, ever. This guide covers what's on the test, how scores determine APEX vs. PREP placement, and when Detroit 8th graders need to start preparing to compete.
The Cass Tech admissions essay is worth up to 20 points on the DPSCD scorecard — and almost no one prepares for it strategically. This guide covers the 2026-27 essay prompts, what graders reward, and how Detroit 8th graders can write a persuasive argument that stands out.
The De La Salle Collegiate HSPT is a one-shot exam that decides admission, up to $32,000 in scholarships, and your son's freshman STEM track — all at once. This guide covers the Archdiocese of Detroit's no-retake rule, every scholarship percentile bracket, and a prep timeline starting the summer before 8th grade. If your son is applying to DLS for fall 2027, start here.
The Detroit examination high school essay is 750 words that can make or break your child's application. This guide covers all 4 required essay questions, how the essay is scored, and exactly how to help your 8th grader write a winning persuasive response for Cass Tech, Renaissance, and all five exam schools.
Getting into Detroit Examination High Schools means mastering the HSPT exam, writing a compelling 750-word essay, and understanding a scoring system most families never see explained. This guide covers all five exam schools — Cass Tech, Renaissance, MLK Jr., Southeastern, and Marygrove — with real numbers, real deadlines, and targeted prep advice.
Detroit 8th graders applying to MLK Senior High face a one-shot HSPT with a Science section and a scored 750-word persuasive essay — and most prep resources miss both. This guide covers exactly what the DPSCD HSPT tests, when your child takes it, and how to build a composite score strong enough to earn a seat at Martin Luther King, Jr. Senior High School.
The HSPT Quantitative Skills section is the part of the Mercy High School placement test most 8th graders underestimate — and it directly determines scholarship eligibility. This post breaks down exactly what the section tests, why it demands STEM critical thinking over memorized math, and how to prepare when your daughter only gets one shot at the exam.
Getting into Renaissance High School Detroit means mastering a four-part admissions scorecard — HSPT, GPA, essay, and references. This guide breaks down every scoring category, exact point values, and what Detroit 8th graders must do right now to maximize their Total Application Score before the November deadline.
Shrine Catholic High School requires both an HSPT score and a separate written essay — and most families don't know how to prepare for both. This post gives you school-specific essay tips aligned to Shrine's mission, plus HSPT score benchmarks that unlock up to $4,500 in merit scholarships.
The Southeastern High School application requires a scored, 750-word persuasive essay graded by two independent reviewers — and most Detroit 8th graders don't know it counts. This post breaks down all four guiding questions, the DPSCD HSPT format, scoring weights, and a step-by-step writing framework built specifically for the DPSCD examination high school application.
The School at Marygrove requires a persuasive 750-word Student-Authored Essay scored by two independent reviewers — and almost no prep resources tell Detroit families how to prepare for it. This post covers exactly what the DPSCD writing sample requires, how it fits into your child's composite application score, and how timed essay practice gives 8th graders a real advantage before the application window closes.