Applying to High School

Family Resource • 2026–27

A BEES Family Guide

A Message from Principal Garber

Dear BEES Students and Families,

The move to high school is one of the most exciting parts of middle school. It is a chance for students to think about their interests, strengths, goals, and the kind of school community in which they will thrive. New York City offers many strong options, and we want every BEES student to approach this process with confidence and curiosity.

Families lead this process. You are responsible for researching schools, attending open houses, completing each application and any additional requirements, and meeting every deadline. BEES will be beside you throughout the journey. Our team will help you understand your options, access the application systems, build a thoughtful list, complete required school records, and solve problems along the way. Please begin early, stay organized, and ask for help before a deadline passes.

We are excited to partner with you as each student finds a high school where they can continue learning, be happy, and feel safe.

Warmly,
Craig Garber
Principal

Important: NYCPS schools, Catholic/parochial schools, and charter schools use separate application systems. Applying through one pathway does not apply your child to the others. Families may apply through more than one pathway and make a final decision after offers are received.

Start Here

Talk as a family about the student's interests, goals, learning needs, commute, and preferred school environment.
Research early. Attend open houses, information sessions, tours, and fairs whenever possible.
Keep one calendar or checklist for every deadline, test, audition, assessment, application, and offer response.
Check each school's website. Some programs and schools require steps beyond the main application.
Stay in contact with the BEES school counselor and 8th-grade team, especially if you need help accessing an account, choosing programs, or meeting a requirement.

NYC Public Schools High School Admissions

Most NYC public high school programs are explored and applied to through MySchools. Students may also register for the SHSAT to apply to the eight testing Specialized High Schools and may submit a separate LaGuardia application for its six arts programs.

Build a balanced application: NYCPS recommends listing 12 or more programs that the student would genuinely be happy to attend, in true preference order, with the favorite program first. Include a thoughtful mix of admissions methods and levels of demand.

Important NYCPS Dates

Date	What Happens
Tuesday, October 6, 2026	High School Application, LaGuardia Application, and SHSAT registration open.
Friday, October 30, 2026	SHSAT registration closes.
Wednesday, November 18, 2026	SHSAT School Day.
Friday, December 4, 2026	High School Application and LaGuardia Application close.
Wednesday, March 3, 2027 (after 3:00 p.m.)	High school offers are released in MySchools.

How to Apply

Create or log in to the family's MySchools account and make sure the student is correctly linked to the account.
Explore programs, attend events, and speak with the BEES counselor about a balanced list of 12 or more choices.
List programs in true preference order. The student's favorite choice should be #1.
Review the Selection Criteria for every program. Complete any required audition, essay, interview, portfolio, or other assessment by the stated deadline.
If interested, register separately for the SHSAT and/or submit a LaGuardia application in MySchools. These are additional pathways and do not replace the main high school application.
Submit the application and all additional materials before the deadline. Save or screenshot the confirmation.

Official NYCPS Family Resources

MySchools for Families — explore programs, view events, register for the SHSAT, and submit applications.
NYCPS High School Admissions — the central admissions page, timeline, explanations, and video tutorials.
Specialized High Schools — SHSAT information, preparation materials, and Specialized High School details.
Screened Admissions — how screened programs consider applicants.
High School Auditions — audition requirements and guidance, including LaGuardia.
Screened Programs with Assessments — schools and programs requiring essays or other assessment tasks.
High School Admissions Videos — video explanations and MySchools tutorials for families.

Catholic and Parochial High Schools

Most Catholic high schools in Brooklyn and Queens use the Test for Admission into Catholic High Schools (TACHS) as part of the ninth-grade admissions process. TACHS scores, school records, and any information requested by an individual high school may be considered. Families should never assume that registering for TACHS completes every school's application; always review each school's admissions, scholarship, and financial-aid requirements directly.

Important 2026 TACHS Dates

Date	What Happens
Monday, August 24, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.	TACHS registration opens online and by telephone.
Friday, October 2, 2026	Deadline to request extended testing time and submit required documentation to the appropriate diocese.
Wednesday, October 28, 2026 at 11:00 p.m.	TACHS registration closes.
Saturday, November 7, 2026	Online TACHS administration for students aligned with the Diocese of Brooklyn/Queens. Students receive an assigned 8:30 or 10:00 a.m. session.
Saturday, November 21, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.	Current TACHS website deadline to enter or change the student's three high school choices. Confirm this date on TACHS after registration.
Friday, December 11, 2026	Applicant Records for public-school students must arrive at the three selected high schools.
Wednesday, January 13, 2027	Earliest admission notices may be released by Diocese of Brooklyn/Queens high schools.
Friday, January 22, 2027 after 3:00 p.m.	Families may access the student's TACHS Home Report online.

How to Apply

Explore Catholic high schools, attend open houses and fairs, compare travel time, tuition, programs, student supports, and school culture.
Register for TACHS at tachsinfo.com between August 24 and October 28. The 2026 nonrefundable examination fee is $78 and includes score reporting to three high schools.
Enter three high school choices in the TACHS system. Scores are sent only to those three schools, so choose carefully and confirm that the selections were saved.
Check each high school's own website for any separate application, essay, interview, scholarship, financial-aid, or other deadline.
If extended testing time is needed, register first and submit the TACHS Eligibility Form with the required IEP, IESP, 504 Plan, or qualifying evaluation to the Diocese of Brooklyn/Queens by October 2.
After TACHS registration, complete Section A of the Applicant Record and give it to the BEES school counselor promptly. BEES will complete the school sections and mail copies to the three selected high schools so they arrive by December 11.
Review the online testing and device requirements well before test day, save the TACHS ID, and follow all confirmation-email directions.

For BEES families: The Applicant Record cannot be sent until the family completes Section A and gives the form to the school. Please do not wait until December to bring it to us.

Official Catholic High School Resources

TACHS Official Website — current announcements, registration, high school choices, test-session information, and results.
TACHS Registration Information — registration dates, instructions, and telephone support.
2026 TACHS Student Handbook — the complete calendar, Applicant Record, accommodations form, device information, and sample questions.
Brooklyn and Queens Catholic High School Open Houses — school contacts, TACHS codes, programs, tuition information, and 2026 open-house dates.
Catholic Schools of Brooklyn and Queens — regional Catholic school information and updates.

NYC Charter High Schools

Charter schools are free public schools, but their admissions process is separate from the NYCPS High School Application and MySchools. Not every charter school serves high school grades or accepts new ninth-grade students, so families should verify grade levels and seat availability before applying.

No selective application requirements: NYC charter schools do not require tests, interviews, essays, auditions, or transcripts to apply. When a school receives more applications than it has seats, admission is determined through a random lottery and remaining students are placed on a waitlist.

How and When to Apply

Apply to participating schools through the Common Online Charter School Application. Also check school websites because not every charter school participates.
Use the Charter School Finder to locate schools that serve grade 9 and review their programs, locations, and contact information.
The common application is generally available October 1–June 30. Select the 2027–28 school year when the new application opens.
Each school sets its own deadline; most use a priority deadline on or before April 1 and hold April lotteries. Later applicants may join a waitlist or receive a seat if space remains.
Monitor email, telephone calls, and application portals. Schools contact families directly about lotteries, waitlists, offers, and acceptance deadlines.

Official Charter School Resources

Common Online Charter School Application — apply to multiple participating NYC charter schools through one application.
NYC Charter School Finder — search for schools by location, grade level, and other criteria.
NYC Charter School Admissions FAQs — deadlines, lotteries, waitlists, preferences, and application rules.

Need Help?

Contact the BEES school counselor or 8th-grade team for help understanding a pathway, accessing MySchools, reviewing choices, completing school documents, or solving a problem. The earlier you ask, the more we can do together.

Information on this page was reviewed on August 20, 2026. Dates and procedures may change. Families should confirm current requirements through the official links above and the individual schools to which they are applying.

Brooklyn Environmental
Exploration School

A Message from Principal Garber

Start Here

NYC Public Schools High School Admissions

Important NYCPS Dates

How to Apply

Official NYCPS Family Resources

Catholic and Parochial High Schools

Important 2026 TACHS Dates

How to Apply

Official Catholic High School Resources

NYC Charter High Schools

How and When to Apply

Official Charter School Resources

Need Help?

Address

qUICK LINKS