For all the data released by CPS, the cutoff scores are a lagging indicator. They do not measure a school’s culture, its arts programs, or its support for students with IEPs. Furthermore, many families overlook the “tier A” and “tier B” options—schools like Lindblom (718) or Hancock (707)—that offer rigorous IB curricula without the crushing pressure of a 900-point target.
Every spring, a unique tension grips thousands of Chicago families. It is not the anxiety of state tests or the chaos of prom season, but the release of the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Selective Enrollment High School cutoff scores. For the 2024–2025 admissions cycle, these numbers—often seen as cold, mathematical thresholds—have once again sparked conversations about merit, access, and the very definition of a “good” school. cps selective enrollment cutoff scores 2024-2025
The 2024–2025 cycle also highlighted a critical flaw: the cutoffs reward early preparation. Students with access to test prep tutors, NWMA MAP coaching, and grade-grinding private schools have a clear advantage—especially in Tiers 3 and 4. This has renewed calls for CPS to de-emphasize the SEHSAT and move toward a lottery or portfolio-based system, though no changes have been announced for future cycles. For all the data released by CPS, the
According to CPS data released in early 2025 for the fall 2024 entering class (the 2024–2025 school year), the highest cutoff scores once again belonged to (tier 4: 893), followed closely by Northside College Prep (887) and Whitney M. Young Magnet High School (882). At the other end of the spectrum, schools like Gage Park (623) and Westinghouse (642) offered genuine selective opportunities without the hyper-competitive thresholds. Every spring, a unique tension grips thousands of