STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Their future -- at least the next four years -- is in the mail. More than 1,500 Staten Island eighth-graders hoping to attend a Catholic high school, who took the Test for Admission to Catholic Schools (TACHS) exam in November, will be waiting anxiously by the mailbox Friday for their results. Staten Island's seven Catholic...
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Their future -- at least the next four years -- is in the mail.
More than 1,500 Staten Island eighth-graders hoping to attend a Catholic high school, who took the Test for Admission to Catholic Schools (TACHS) exam in November, will be waiting anxiously by the mailbox Friday for their results.
Staten Island's seven Catholic high schools -- along with other schools in the New York Archdiocese -- simultaneously mailed result letters to would-be freshmen for the Class of 2019 Thursday, setting in motion what amounts to a chain of "musical chairs."
Students who took the test in November had their test scores sent to three schools, ranked in order of preference. They'll get a letter back from each school to which they applied, either offering them a seat in the fall class, or not; in some cases, they may be told they have been put on a waiting list for admission.
Students who receive an admissions offer from more than one of their three schools must respond to each school, though they may only say "yes" to one. As students reply, seats are opened to other students on waiting lists.
Anticipating their excitement and anxiety, some of the Catholic elementary schools scheduled eighth-graders for early dismissal Friday, so they can run home and open their letters.
According to the New York Archdiocese, more than 1,500 Staten Island eighth-graders (773 from Catholic elementary schools and 744 from public schools) took the TACHS exam in November, down slightly from the year before.
Staten Island Regional Schools Superintendent Zoilita Hererra, said "results day" is an "exciting and important time" in the lives of both students and families."This has been a long-awaited day for our eighth-grade students and their parents. After months of hard work and guidance from their principals and teachers, I commend them for their dedication to their studies and a job well-done," she said.
In addition to their TACHS scores, high schools also weigh students' academic transcripts to determine admission. Preference is also given to those students who selected their school as their first choice when they took the TACHS exam. Some schools will only accept students who put them as their first choice.
These are tough times for the high schools, faced with rising costs, dwindling enrollment in the Catholic elementary schools, competition from small, elite programs in the public schools, the rise of small, themed charter schools, and an overall cyclical decline in the high school-aged population.
Still, parents of eighth-graders who took the TACHS exam said they believe in the value of a Catholic high school education.
At Our Lady Queen of Peace School, New Dorp, students said Thursday they were excited and anxious about their high school choices, while their parents spoke of why they value a Catholic high school education for their child.
"I'm excited," said eighth-grader Christina Brusgard. She said she put down St. Joseph-by-the-Sea High School, Huguenot, as her first choice, along with St. John Villa Academy, Arrochar, and Notre Dame Academy, Grymes Hill.
Her dad, Joseph, said he hopes she gets accepted. "We are big supporters of Catholic education. We like the idea that you get both an academic and faith-based education, that reinforces the values you try to teach them at home," he said.
Marie Nicole Antonious said Villa was her first-choice school, followed by Sea and Notre Dame.
"We went to all the open house programs, and we let her choose," said her mom, Viviane.
Classmates James Salvador and Robert Neese said they both are hoping for an acceptance letter from Sea, as their first choice.
"I'm a little anxious, but excited. I hope I make my school," Salvador said.
"We chose a Catholic high school, because he will be getting a solid faith-based education, and that's important to us," said his mother, Jennifer
Neese is the youngest of three children; his older brother is a graduate of Monsignor Farrell High School, Oakwood, and his older sister is a Villa graduate, said his mom, Christine. "It's a matter of choice for every family to make, and we believe from experience that you get a good education in a Catholic high school and they prepare you well for college."
Students must respond to their high school of choice by Jan. 30. Registration for incoming freshmen will be March 4.