High School Tours & SHSAT Information - 2 - Key Dates and Resources

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Eliana

Guidance for 8th grade families planning high school admissions, emphasizing early high school touring and free support tools. Highlights how NYC Sift compiles and updates open house information using MySchools and school websites, plus where to verify details if a school is missing. Provides SHSAT administration logistics at MS 447 and a consolidated timeline for Fall 2026 applications, registrations, and offer release. Includes practical steps like organizing decision charts and curated resources for navigating the process.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages3

Reading Time8 min

AccessFree to download

High School Touring Support

NYC Sift Open House Finder

If a School Isn’t Listed

SHSAT Details

Test Location and Date

Fall 2026 Key Dates

Workshop, Registration Open, and Close

Applications Close and Offer Release

Resources for the Admissions Process

Organization Tools

MySchools Directory and DOE Information

Inside Schools and Webinars

Community Support

Subject: 2. High School Tours & SHSAT Information Dear 8th Grade Families, I hope your child’s transition into the new school year is going smoothly! Although school applications have not yet opened on MySchools, now is a great time to begin touring high schools. One helpful (and free) resource to support your search is NYC Sift, which simplifies the process of finding open houses. NYC Sift compiles information from MySchools and individual school websites to provide a regularly updated list of open houses. It is updated frequently and also offers a newsletter to help families stay informed. The site was created by a New York City parent who wanted to make it easier for families to navigate school visits. If you don’t see a particular school listed on NYC Sift, I recommend checking that school’s own website for the most up-to-date information. Please also note: for students interested in taking the SHSAT, the exam will be administered at MS 447 on Wednesday, November 12, 2025. Be on the lookout for more information about the test in the coming weeks. These are the key dates for students who are applying to high school for Fall 2026: ● TBD, Late September/early October: MS 447 High School Workshop (on zoom) ● Tuesday, October 7, 2025: High School Application, LaGuardia Application, and Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT) Registration Opens ● Friday, October 31, 2025: SHSAT Registration Closes ● Wed, November 12, 2025. ● Wednesday, December 3, 2025: High School and LaGuardia Applications Close ● Thursday, March 5, 2026: High School Offer Release Please note these dates are subject to change. Resources to Help You Navigate the High School Admissions Process: ● Get organized! Create a chart that highlights some of the most important features to consider when evaluating high schools. You can use this chart as a template. ● My Schools High School Directory: MySchools features the DOE online NYC public school directory where you can filter your search by size, interest areas, borough, accessibility, admissions method, and early college. Schools will be announcing their open house dates soon. These dates are posted on individual school websites and on the My Schools calendar. ● DOE High School Information: You can find comprehensive information about the high school admissions process on this page. ● Highlights of New York City High Schools: Here you can find a list of New York City High schools organized by school focus. ● Inside Schools: Inside Schools is a project of the Center for New York City Affairs at The New School. They provide independent information about New York City's public schools. Their staff include journalists, parents and public school advocates. Their staff visits many schools every year and interviews principals, teachers, students, and parents. They observe what's happening in the classrooms, cafeterias, hallways and even the bathrooms. ● Webinar Recording: Inside Schools and NYC Admissions Solutions hosted a free webinar that you can watch here. ● NYC SIFT: Check out this amazing resource, another NYC parent created for updates on open houses and high school suggestions. You can also read this article that explains the history of the tool in more detail. ● Connect with Other Parents: Exchange resources with other NYC parents through the "Applying to High School NYC" Facebook group. Warm regards, Star Corvinelli 8th Grade School Counselor MS 447 [scorvinelli@ms447.org](scorvinelli@ms447.org)

FAQs

How can families find high school open houses before applications open on MySchools?

Use NYC Sift, which compiles and regularly updates open house listings from MySchools and individual school websites. If a school isn’t listed, check that school’s own website for the latest information.

Where and when will the SHSAT be administered?

The SHSAT will be administered at MS 447 on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.

What are the key dates for Fall 2026 high school and SHSAT applicants?

SHSAT registration opens October 7, 2025 and closes October 31, 2025. High school and LaGuardia applications close December 3, 2025, and high school offer release is March 5, 2026.

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Eliana