Teaching minds in a regular classroom without enhancement is like feeding an elephant one blade of grass at time. You'll starve them." – Elizabeth Meckstroth
"[Gifted kids] seeking after knowledge.. the thirst to learn, the...the urge to know...[is] all thwarted if a school is unresponsive to their needs...... [daily] unremitting tedium.....waiting, waiting, waiting for something new.....the brain pacing the tiny cage of required work...until it could SCREAM and implode from frustration.." PEGY.org - 2011
Our owner is intimately familiar with the challenges of appropriately meeting the needs of Gifted and Talented children. A TAG child himself, Mr. Kelley tested 9 years above his grade level on standardized tests in his early elementary years.
Growing up in an impoverished neighborhood lacking gifted education resources, Mr. Kelley began refusing to go to school at the beginning of 5th grade because of the lack of teacher and peer support. He later dropped out of both sixth grade for six months, and High School for over two years.
Mr. Kelley went back to High School at prestigious private high school and finished his high school diploma in under 3 years. He went on to finish a dual-degree in Child Psychology and Pediatric Ethics. He is currently finishing two Masters degrees; one in Education at Northwestern University and one in Social Work at the University of Illinois.
Mr.Kelley has worked with hundreds of students in the last ten years. He uses a strengths-based focus to help gifted children and parents find strengths, nourish interests, and identify areas for further development.
Mr. Kelley is a Certified IL teacher and has worked with Chicago Public School Gifed programs for over 4 years. He created, with the assitance of Joan Smutny, of the Center for Gifted, a gifted program for children at Oriole Park School in Chicago. Since that time he has helped joan Smutny connect with two additional schools in order to develop gifted programs in two more CPS schools.
Mr. Kelley has extensively researched the selective enrollment process for chicago public schools for CPS gifted, classical, magnet and word language programs, and selective enrollment high schools. Parents will benefit greatly from the information gained through this research, offering gifted children more opportunities for preparation for the CPS options program admissions testing, and helping paretns to navigate the process, while always keeping the child's self-esteem, confidence and personal needs at the forefront of every decision.
We offer certified teachers for High School selective enrollment testing, Kindergarten gifted test preparation and all other CPS selective enrollment testing.
Additionally, we offer tutors to work with gifted and twice exceptional children to help them learn at the highest level possible, help them learn to self-advocate in the classroom, increase organization and study habits, and otherwise coach both parents and students in how to access the true abilities of the gifted mind.
We offer test preparation services for students applying to CPS Gifted Elementary and CPS Selective Enrollment High Schools and area private elementary schools and private Chicago elementary and high schools. We also provide test preparation for ISAT, ERB, SSAT, ISEE and IB programs.
We use research-driven, and clinically proven techniques, materials, methods and teaching styles to help all students gain admission into CPS selective Enrollment High Schools, Gifted and Selective Enrollment Elementary Schools and private schools. Our materials are geared specifically to the type of test given at each school and all have been used successfully on the same tests accorss the country..
Similarly, our ERB test, ISAT tets and ISEE test preparation is provided by certified teachers utilizing the most current preparation materials focused only on the test materials that will be presented on the specific test they plan to take.
We are very effective in accomplishing our goals and have seen children make miraculous and remarkable increases in their SAT score, ISEE test scores and ERB test scores.
Click here to read M's story about how we helped one student destined for summer school because of previous ISAT Test exams, whose score was so increased that she not only skipped summer school, but was offered placement in a CPS gifted school after her ISAT test scores were released.
Click here to email us for more information or here to submit our online form.
We offer help with CPS gifted school admissions process by outlining CPS Gifted School admission and application procedures, explain CPS gifted test and selective enrollment test formats, consult with parents on gifted school options, give an overview of strengths and weaknesses of indivual schools and help parents research appropriate school choices for their children.
In our advocacy role we consult and work with parents to define problems in the student's learning environment and then collaborate with parents, students, teachers and school administration to ensure children's educational needs are met. We are able to analyze testing to make reccommendations for modifications and accomodations to ensure the child's learning environment offers them the greatest ability to successfully reach their potential by offering them the resources they are entitled to.
Gifted enrichment tutoring for gifted students, Kindergarten readiness, and advance curriculum tutoring is offered. Our Gifted Curriculum is presented by qualified teachers who provide in home private tutoring, Gifted Test preparation and project-based learning.
Chidren's interests are assessed along with parent goals and in home tutoring programs are developed and tailored to the individual child.
Robotics, Building Computers, Website Design, Advanced Math and Science, and other offerings stimulate young gifted minds, motivate gifted students, increase confidence and academics abilities. Please click on the following link to contact us today to have us create a specialized learning program for your gifted child.
The Chicago Public School system of gifted schools is separated into three categories for Elementary school, and one for High School.
CPS gifted programs are comprised of Magnet Schools, Magnet Clusterr Schools, and Selective Enrollment Elementary Schools. Each of these have different focuses, geographic placement, and admission requirements and processes which are discussed more in the individual links in the sidebar.
All CPS options program schools have much to offer children. Often parents remark that they are more concerned with the school community, parent involvement, teacher decication and school resources, more than the strength of the academic rigor, at least in the lower elementary grades. In this area, CPS gifted schools are the best bet for parents and students. Children are more likely to be well behaved and mannered in these classes and motivated to learn, these schools often have more resources due to parent involvement and donations, and teachers tend to be there to nurture students as the competition for teaching positions in these schools self-selects out the less-motivated educators. These are, for the most part, as close to a private school environment that you can get while keeping the benefits of a public school education.
High School Selective Enrollment Schools, such as Walter Payton, Northside Prep, Whitney Young, Jones College Prep and others, are academic powerhouses that prepare their students for the college experience just as effectively as thier private counterparts.
The selective enrollment high school admissions process is however, unforgiving, and extremely competitive, but the payoff of a world-class education is well worth the effort put forth on the front-end by parents and students.
In the words of the CPS office of Academic Enhancement:
"A magnet school is a specialized school that does not have a neighborhood attendance... Magnet schools focus their curriculum on one particular subject area, such as math/science, humanities, Montessori, or world language... Contrary to widely held beliefs, magnet schools do not provide an accelerated curriculum...students are randomly selected through a computerized lottery."
The highlights there are that Magnet Schools are not really selective as anyone can attend them within the boundaries. The benefits of this type of program are that 1. There is no admissions testing involved. and 2. Siblings of current students get priority admission preference.
Magnets schools, on average, score higher on state standarized tests than do their non-magnet, non-gifted counterparts.
For a list of CPS Magnet schools, click here : CPS Magnet School Listing
For CPS Magnet School Application forms in English and Spanish please click here: CPS Magnet School Application
CPS Selective Enrollment & Gifted Schools and Testing Requirements
The names alone seem a bit overwhelming, but with the separation of church and state, the word "Gifted", can cause some to go pale and shudder uncontrollably. The ambiguous nomenclature probably confuses those types enough to keep the at bay. so it is probably helpful to offer a break down of the different programs, their admissions processes, and focuses.
First, application to all of these schools is started with the Selective Enrollment Elementary School Application found here :
However, both the focus of these programs, and their testing requirements, differ:
Regional Gifted Centers and RGC for ELLs (English Language Learners):
Testing: Children in Grades K-4 are eligible for testing merely with the submission of the Selective Enrollment Elementary School Application. Children in Grades 5-8, however, (except for ELL students) must score at a certain percentile on the previous year's ISAT in order to be eligible for testing. Students with IEP or 504s must score at least at the 70th percentile in either reading or math, and 605 in the other test area.
CPS Classical Schools:
Testing: In order to be elgible for testing students must be ranked in the 80th percentile or above in both reading and math.
International Gifted Programs:
Testing: In order to be eligible for testing, students must score at or above the 90th percentile in one subject (reading or math), and at or above the 80th percentile in the other subject (reading or math).
Academic Centers:
Testing: In order to be eligible for testing, students must score at or above the 70th percentile in both reading comprehension and math.
So what are the tests on?
Nobody really knows either the content, type of test, or manufacturor of the test. It is somewhat of a state secret. It is provided by CPS that the Classical school selective enrollment test asseses reading, language ars and Math abilities, while the test for all other CPS selective enrollment use a much different test that, in the words of CPS: "...measures critical thinking skills, reasoning, problem solving, and mental control. Mental control is the ability to hold information in the short-term memory while performing a mental operation."
So what can you do as a parent to help your child get into a gifted CPS school?
Well, until recently, you could attempt to schmooze with the principal, as prinipal discretion allowed for the admission of personally-chosen students, but in August that was rescinded indefinitely.
So, preparation, practice and consultation is the best way to go. Whether you choose to utilize our services or not, make yourself an expert on the process. Know all the application dates, materials necessary, deadlines, and ensure everything is done correctly and submitted on time.
Next, prepare your student for the selective enrollment test. It is more straightforward to do this with the Classical school selective enrollment test because practice in reading and math concepts slightly above their level will surely help. With the other tests, you will need to know more about the actual format of the test, one which contains content and format which most children have never seen before either in school or at home.
We have amassed a great deal of information regarding the format of this test and only use materials to prep our students that specifically mirror both the content and format of this test. If you are able to find out information about this test yourself, you should teach your child how to undersatnd and respond to the questions. It is a very "different test" that will take some time for your child to understand, but once they do, they will be at a distinct advantage to the other non-prepped children taking the exam.
Other Important Information:
Another variable tossed into the selective enrollment process is that socio-economic tier system. It was noted that less-priveledged students were less likely to get into selective enrollment schools. CPS therefore implemented a system where you are put in a socio-economic tier based on your address. This tier is used to calculate points toward your child's score for admission for a spot in the school. The bad news is, the more affluent your address is, the lower the point value you are afforded, and thus your child is put at a disadvantage to others in this section of the admissions process.
CPS Magnet
Cluster Schools
Helpful Selective
Enrollment Forms
We offer test preparation services for students applying to New York Gifted Elementary and G&T Programs for their exams. We offer practice tests specific to the CPS gifted Test and NY G&T Exam test, and tutors with experience with CPS gifted testing in grades kindergarten through eighth grade/. Our practice test samples are some of the best, and our CPS gifted test and selective enrollment tutors are effective, strategic, and time-conscious.
What we think: (Click here for Link)
Based on what we gather the CPS Gifted Test, and for sure the New York gifted test have :
"... 21 subtests, organized into five areas, and an equal number of verbal and non-verbal items is included in each area. The five areas are verbal comprehension, verbal reasoning, pictorial reasoning, figural reasoning, and quantitative reasoning."
With this belief we have posted links here, with sample questions of the types one might find on a similar test. Additionaly, check out our CPS and New York Gifted Test Book store for Prep Workbooks.
Without proven and effective test practice materials, a tutor is like a doctor without uselss or broken supplies. As we believe that our practice guides are among the best in the market, we use their materials exclusively.
We offer those gifted test preparation books, which include gifted test sample questions, gifted practice Tests, and Gifted Test guides.
The following videos posted hereare a collection of videos explaining the ways in which to teach figural reasoning, aural reasoning, arithmetic reasoning, logical selection, word and letter matricies, verbal analogies, verbal classification, inferencing, nonverbal reasoning, pictorial reasoning, picture classification, picture analogies, picture series, figural reasoning, figural classification, figural analogies, pattern matrix,figural series, quantitative reasoning, nuber series, numeric inference, and number matrx problems that may be used on the cps gifted test and CPS gifted selective enrollment test, and which are on the New York Gifted Exam.
New York Gifted
OLSAT Test Bookstore
understand that some children have different needs for learning. "Ricky's" tutor was gifted at determining how a student can best start to grasp, retain, and then recall new information. Somehow he connected with our son and convinced him that he could learn. Within days our son was sharing his new confidence in himself by reciting facts and lessons learned.
Throughout the several years our son worked with [his tutor] , he taught our son how he needed to learn and how to practice so that he would be able to handle school all by himself one day. As our sons grades climbed, so did his self-esteem. It was indescribable yet as clear as could be. Despite a handful of learning challenges, our son is now earning As and Bs at a high caliber college prep high school and talking about attending some of the best colleges in the country.
His doing well in school was wonderfulhis behavioral improvements and enjoying school was also terrificbut his new self-esteem and confidence is priceless in our opinion! We will never be able to thank [our tutor] and Lakeview enough for transforming our son and changing the trajectory of his life forever!
Part of his [our tutor's} charm and giftedness was his ability to relate extremely well with children, [which was sometimes better than he related with us] But dont be deceived if you don't feel a tight bond with [your tutor] immediately, please don't let that stop you from trusting your child to [his or her] care. You will never regret giving [him or her} a chance with your child!
A parent of a child with learning differences who worked with us in grades 5-7.
Click here to contact us for tutoring services.
Selective Enrollment Elementary Schools - Map.pdf
Summary of Census Tract Socioeconomic Data _with Number of School-Age Children_ 2010 12 10.pdf
2012-2013 Standard Elementary Schools Application - Spanish.pdf
Scoring Rubric -- Selective Enrollment -- 2012-2013.pdf
Admissions Policy for Magnet_ Selective_ Other Options Schools and Programs.pdf
Magnet Elementary Schools - Map.pdf
Academic Center Cutoff Scores 2011-2012 -- Round One.pdf
2012-2013 Standard Elementary Schools Application - English.pdf
SEMagnetAdmissions_Principal_Presentation_draft_110210.pdf
2012-2013 International Baccalaureate High Schools Application - Spanish.pdf
SEHS 2011-2012 -- First-Round Scores.pdf
2012-2013 Selective Enrollment High Schools and Military Academies Application - Spanish.pdf
2012-2013 Selective Enrollment High Schools and Military Academies Application - English.pdf
2012-2013 Standard High Schools Application - Spanish.pdf
2012-2013 Magnet High Schools and Programs Application - English.pdf
Principal Discretion Handbook -- 2011-2012.pdf
Draft Magnet Policy with one year limit 11 2 10.pdf
Options for Knowledge Guide -- 2012-2013.pdf
Six_Factor_Tract_Tiers.pdf
Community Forum_Transcript_727.pdf
Click Here For
Letters from
Clients
Our clients, their satisfaction and success, is our most prized asset. In this gallery you will find stories from, and about, real students, the challenges they faced, and how we partnered with them to overcome thier obstacles in order to find academic success. Student names have been changed for the sake of privacy. Images are not of actual tutoring clients.
6206 N. Leavitt
Chicago, IL 60659
Tel: + 1 847 420 3207
Email: info_cpsmagnet.com
Is the Selective Enrollment Gift Test the OLSAT (Otis-Lennon Selective Admissions Test)?
Many have asked, "Do you know what is on the CPS selective enrollment gifted test?", "do you know what kind of test is the CPS gifted test?", or "Do you have sample CPS gifted test questions"?
(P.S. Horrible grammar due to SEO readability)
The answer to these questions is Maybe, pretty sure, Possibly. We really don't know exactly what the CPS gifted selective enrollment test questions include but we may have a hint or two.
Some statements and information points to the very real possibility that is the OLSAT is the CPS Gifted Selective Enrollment test.
(Yes, SEO Grammar again)
For example a parent on CPSobsessed.com writes on her child's experience, "we got him to divulge a couple things about the test (pre 1st grade gifted test:) [there were] picture answers ... [he] had to fill in a circle below the correct answer. One question was to choose the piece the completed a puzzle above. The other was to choose which shape matched the 3 others above it. " and another writes about the CPS gifted test that she spoke to a tester who stated that "...the test would involve no reading, but each question would have pictures and the child would be asked to choose the picture that was the right answer".
But what, if anything ,does CPS say about the mysterious CPS Gifted Selective Enrollment Test? Well, their statements seem to be in line with the hypothesis that the OLSAT is the CPS GIFTED Selective Enrollment Test, although in much more sparse and convoluted manner ... The OAE site states that "The test for the Regional Gifted Centers, International Gifted Programs, and Academic Centers measures critical thinking skills, reasoning, problem solving, and mental control. Mental control is the ability to hold information in the short-term memory while performing a mental operation." and cps.edu states "The test for classical schools assesses the student's reading, language arts, and mathematics abilities... {and] The test for regional gifted centers assesses the student's critical thinking skills and reasoning abilities."
The Chicago Tribune in it's February 2011 article on CPS gifted Selective enrollment testing mentioned that "The gifted program test does not test for a child's IQ, but it is a cognitive test that measures various skills like problem solving, mental control and logical thinking [skills]" and later states that on CPS gifted test questions", children "...could be asked to identify trapezoids, figure out how many cookies they'd have if Mom put two more on their plate, demonstrate advanced literacy skills and, for gifted programs, be able to infer relationships, recognize patterns and predict what comes next.", leaving with the message that on the CPS gifted selective enrollment test "Prospective kindergartners are tested one-on-one, with the kids answering questions orally or perhaps pointing to a picture that answers it."
Lastly a parent on an educational blog posited that her "...6 year old sat for the CPS classical exam this week. She believes it was the same as the OLSAT she took at her current school a few months ago"
The OLSAT questions match each and every description listed above. They only use pictures at the KG level and ask no reading questions that are not read to the child.
So that is about the most most non-quantifiable and un-reliable research we have, but unquantifiable and unreliable data is very much in line with the spirit of CPS testing in general isn't it?
The strongest evidence that that the OLSAT is in fact the CPS Gifted Selective test for all schools but Classical is ... Well that would be a bit too much to let out of the bag for free. Suffice it to say, all of our testing prep students will be provided proof that the CPS gifted selective enrollment test is in fact the OLSAT.
CPS Gifted Test Sample Question Practice Guide
Based on extensive research we believe the OLSAT may be the test CPS gives. Workbooks are labeled by grade and entry grade level.
2e Newsletter
Online and Paper newsletter on gifted and twice exceptional (2e) issues. Wonderful resources for educators, parents and gifted kids.
Gifted & Educational Testing
Dr. Getz gets the issues, experienced advocate: gifted & 2e
Advocate Lutheran
Dept, Dev.Peds.
Marjorie A. Getz, PhD
1675 W. Dempster St. Park Ridge,
(847) 318-9067. Educational evals, consulting 2-21. Private insurance
The following videos posted hereare a collection of videos explaining the ways in which to teach figural reasoning, aural reasoning, aritmetic reasoning, logical selection, word and letter matricies, verbal analogies, verbal classification, inferencing, nonverbal reasoning, pictorial reasoning, picture classification, picture analogies, picture series, figural reasoning, figural classification, figural analogies, pattern matrix,figural series, quantitative reasoning, nuber series, numeric inference, and number matrx problems that may be used on the cps gifted test and CPS selective enrollment test, and which are definitively on the New York Gifted Exam.
New York City Gifted Program Parent Handbooks and Sample Kindergarten Gifted Test
Indiabix.com non-verbal reasoning test sample questions including questions from: figural reasoning, aural reasoning, aritmetic reasoning, logical selection, word and letter matricies, verbal analogies, verbal classification, inferencing, nonverbal reasoning, pictorial reasoning, picture classification, picture analogies, picture series, figural reasoning, figural classification, figural analogies, pattern matrix,figural series, quantitative reasoning, nuber series, numeric inference, and number matrx problems that may be used on the cps gifted test and CPS selective enrollment test, and which are definitively on the New York Gifted Exam.
The following videos are compiled to illustrate strategies to use when encountering the types of problems that may be found on a gifted or selective enrollment test like the CPS gifted test, the NY gifted test or others. Many of the videos posted are produced by BrightKids of New York (www.brightkidsnyc.com)
