High School Placement

Below you will find the names of the various high schools that are available to you and your child.   To visit the high school’s website, please click on the name of the school.  If there are any schools you are interested in that are not listed, please email Mr. Geiger for more information.  If you are interested in any Independent Schools (Boarding or Day) please contact Mr. Geiger.

Types of High Schools available for your Child

MAGNET SCHOOLS – These types of schools are focused on a particular subject such as performing arts (Cicely Tyson) or science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM in EO or Innovation Academy in Orange).  These types of schools can be highly competitive to be accepted.  Please visit the websites above for more information on requirements.

Technical Schools/Vocational Schools – These types of schools prepare students for a specific trade or career as well as offer college preparation courses.

Parochial School – A private school that is associated with a religious entity. (Hawthorne Christian Academy).

Catholic School – A private school that is associated with the Archdiocese. (Newark, Paterson)

School Choice – Interdistrict Public School Choice Program enables approved choice districts to enroll K-12 grade students who do not reside within their districts without cost to their adult/parents/guardians. (Kenilworth, Hoboken, Springfield, Winfield districts)

Charter Schools –  Publicly funded independent school established by teachers, parents, or community members. (All local charter high schools are located in Newark)

Independent Schools – Any school that does not receive public funding.  This includes day schools and boarding schools. (Newark Academy, Montclair Kimberly, Morristown Beard)

When can scholars begin applying to High Schools?

All High Schools have different deadlines for submitting applications.

How will parents be notified in regard to deadlines?

Mr. Geiger will constantly update the HSP virtual office with announcements in regards to High School Placement.  Mr. Geiger will also be in touch with adults/parents/guardians of his students to meet with and inform them of important dates.

How can scholars ensure they are accepted to the high school of their choice?

All scholars should ensure that their level of effort and determination is seen in the grades they achieve in class.  The higher the grades the better!

What other factors will affect my child’s acceptance into high school?

The application process to high schools includes entrance exams, middle school transcripts, discipline reports, letters of recommendation, and standardized test scores.

How can I communicate with the admissions committee at the high school my child is applying to?

Email is a great way to reach any admissions person at any high school.  Those emails can be found on the high school’s website under the admissions tab.  Mr. Geiger will also post the dates of the virtual open houses for many high schools on his high school placement virtual office.

What High Schools are available for my child to apply to?

Essex County Vocational Schools (available to all Essex County residents)
West Caldwell Tech (West Caldwell, NJ)
Payne Tech (Newark, NJ)
Newark Tech (Newark, NJ)

Newark Magnet Schools (available to all Newark residents)
Arts High School
Science Park High School
Bard Early College
Technology High School
American History High School

Newark Charter Schools (available to all Newark residents)
Marion P. Thomas
People’s Prep
Great Oaks Charter School
North Star Charter School
Newark Collegiate

Parochial/Catholic Schools (available to all scholars who are accepted)
Union Catholic High School (Scotch Plains, NJ)
St. Vincent Academy (All-Girls; Newark, NJ)
St. Benedict’s Academy (Newark, NJ)
DuPaul Catholic (Wayne, NJ)
Paramus Catholic (Paramus, NJ)
Bergen Catholic (Oradell, NJ)
Roselle Catholic (Roselle, NJ)
Saint Peter’s Prep (All-Boys; Jersey City, NJ)
(This is a small sample size of the Catholic Schools that are available.)

Magnet Schools/East Orange (available to East Orange residents)
S.T.E.M. Academy
Cicely Tyson Performing Arts High School
Magnet Schools/Orange (available to Orange residents)
STEM Innovation Academy of the Oranges

Independent Schools (Boarding/Day Schools)

If you are interested in this process, please contact Mr. Geiger at egeiger@prideacs.org

What are the important steps of the High School Placement process?

1.  Visit the HS websites
2. Schedule a virtual meeting with Mr. Geiger via his HSP virtual office (click on #1)
3. Join virtual open houses with the high schools you are interested in (Mr. Geiger will post those dates as they become available)
4. Note the dates for virtual testing (if provided)

What are the usual application timelines?

Applications for high schools are usually released in October and November.  The applications are usually due from December to February. Entrance Exams are usually on Saturday mornings from December to March.  In April, acceptance letters are sent out.

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