# data[].attributes.body
If completing algebra (or any subject) is a prerequisite for eligibility than that subject needs to adequately taught in all schools. Without that, the process of school selection is inherently inequitable.

# data[].attributes.body
I forget what the process is called for students who have IEPs but there are many students who likely could qualify for that if they were identified and supported with this option earlier. Fall of 8th grade is TOO late to find out about the implications of being documented in this manner or not.

# data[].attributes.body
Now that we are going back to PSSAs, it strikes me as odd that the cut scores for eligibility for masterman and central are so dramatically higher than any of the others.  I believe they are a minimum of 80%, and the  next are at 60%.  Couldn't they be at 70 or 75%?  Especially since some students simply don't test well.

# data[].attributes.headline
standard approach to recruitment of students across all criteria schools

# data[].attributes.subject
standard approach to recruitment of students across all criteria schools

# data[].attributes.body
Its easy to visit and learn about some and hard to do so with others. That leads to some schools having more applicants, making their lottery more competitive. Our year it was nearly impossible to learn about Palumbo, for example, but easy to visit and tour CAPA. A prospective student will almost always favor a school they got to see with their own eyes.

# data[].attributes.body
The process should be laid out clearly by the start of the school year and the process should NOT be changed mid-way through the process. Any changes once the process gets underway ends up favoring some and being hard on others.

# data[].attributes.body
How is it equitable that some families got 4 or 5 matches and some got none? If I could wave a magic wand, every student who met eligibility requirements would get a offered a minimum of 2 slots and be given the choice of which one to choose. There is something to be said for student agency in the final decision. We know transition to 9th grade is a leakage point in the student journey through K-12 and we know that connection to the school community is critical in reducing that "leakage". Students need to want to be at the school they end up at, not feel like it was their only option.

# data[].attributes.body
One of the biggest missed opportunities to me is that all the criteria based school slots are treated as equal and interchangeable and they are not. While a student might apply to Northeast's program, SLA, central and palumbo they also likely have a reason to prefer one over the others. Whether that's about a family having siblings in the same school, about geographic convenience, or something else. I know about a good number of families who got into one but really wanted the other - its honestly a shame that they couldn't just switch with each other. Worst example of this are two boys - one in 8th grade at masterman, one in 8th grade at carver. Each wanted to stay where they were, but neither of them got to. They got into the opposite school. One ended up leaving the district altogether as a result, the other switched schools and isn't very happy. So despite having a slot in a coveted criteria based school, this lottery didn't work for him. Similarly, teaching style matters. Kids who fit better at SLA might get into carver and vice versa. Fit matters. The process needs to take into consideration "fit" however that is defined in someway.

# data[].attributes.headline
I currently have a 6th grader she's already interested in selecting a school for 7th because the neighborhood school is horrible. The school counselor is so busy we can even speak with her because she so loaded down with students. How can our children flourish or even manage this process without proper guidance without the information from staff or the district.  There should be some sort of information proir to the section process for families who want to look before the process opens. It will prepare students, parent, allowing parents and students an opportunity to make the right choice for the child/ren.

# data[].attributes.subject
I currently have a 6th grader she's already interested in selecting a school for 7th because the neighborhood school is horrible. The school counselor is so busy we can even speak with her because she so loaded down with students. How can our children flourish or even manage this process without proper guidance without the information from staff or the district.  There should be some sort of information proir to the section process for families who want to look before the process opens. It will prepare students, parent, allowing parents and students an opportunity to make the right choice for the child/ren.

# data[].attributes.headline
5, I've gone through this process with 2 of my daughters so far with on graduating from CAPA and the other soon from The Academies at Roxborough.  Now I'm looking forward to doing this again with my youngest.  So I'm very involved with this process.  

# data[].attributes.subject
5, I've gone through this process with 2 of my daughters so far with on graduating from CAPA and the other soon from The Academies at Roxborough.  Now I'm looking forward to doing this again with my youngest.  So I'm very involved with this process.  

# data[].attributes.body
5, my son went through the process in the 2021-2022 school year. My daughter will go through the process in the 2023-2024 school year.

# data[].attributes.body
Counselors who only speak about certain schools that are "good" or "acceptable" to have students attend. We need to uplift the good work that is happening all of our high schools and finding the right fit based on programming offerings.

# data[].attributes.body
How do students who qualify still end up without schools, especially black and brown boys who have worked hard to meet the requirements?

# data[].attributes.body
The High School fair was a little chaotic, to be honest. It was difficult to get meaningful information.

# data[].attributes.body
Schools give students a chance to shadow and see what it would be like to attend to school in the future

# data[].attributes.body
How about certain schools stop allowing favoritism to district families without following the process like everyone else, even for the staff whose kids who qualify. It's deep and folks need to be aware of who is involved in all of the shenanigans such as the Office of Prevention and Intervention and Office of Student Placement.

# data[].attributes.headline
Do parents have opportunities to familiarize themselves with all of the special admissions schools in the district (e.g. by visiting)?

# data[].attributes.subject
Do parents have opportunities to familiarize themselves with all of the special admissions schools in the district (e.g. by visiting)?

# data[].attributes.headline
Do special selection schools visit 8th graders (all over the city, in each school) to present their schools and tell the students how they are different from each other?

# data[].attributes.subject
Do special selection schools visit 8th graders (all over the city, in each school) to present their schools and tell the students how they are different from each other?

# data[].attributes.headline
Can students transfer into special selection schools midway throughout the year? What if children move in/out of the district?

# data[].attributes.subject
Can students transfer into special selection schools midway throughout the year? What if children move in/out of the district?

# data[].attributes.headline
Are there ways for families with limited English knowledge to familiarize themselves with the process so they can help their children make the best choice?

# data[].attributes.subject
Are there ways for families with limited English knowledge to familiarize themselves with the process so they can help their children make the best choice?

# data[].attributes.headline
What opportunities do future high schoolers have to make themselves familiar with the different special selection schools before they apply?

# data[].attributes.subject
What opportunities do future high schoolers have to make themselves familiar with the different special selection schools before they apply?

# data[].attributes.headline
Why were there so many empty seats until this week?

# data[].attributes.subject
Why were there so many empty seats until this week?

# data[].attributes.body
Side note, ideally in the long run there would be no need for a school selection process and all of the high schools in Philadelphia would be the highest possible quality.

# data[].attributes.body
Having worked at 440 for many many years I would change the people who are responsible for making decisions as it relates to the student selection process. It is an unfair practice for hose that know and are familiar how certain considerations are offered to some compared to others. New administration needs to be aware of the old regime and how they operate. Unfair and biased.

# data[].attributes.body
I would ensure that the counselors are aware of those students who came form Private schools are included in the process and that they have connected with the parents, because my son missed was excluded from the process for that reason. I reached out to Deputy Chiefs and received no support whatsoever fo other personal reasons I believe, and it is unfortunate that my son did not receive the same consideration as all of the other students did for the 2022 sy. Very disproportionate process.

# data[].attributes.body
I think some families may require more guidance than others. This would probably especially apply to families who have not gone through this process before (e.g. grew up outside of this city/country). I expect the teachers and school leaders to have the very best at heart for each student and make sure that they (the students) are aware of their options and have a good feeling/idea about what would be a good fit for them before they apply.

# data[].attributes.body
All of the above. Not everyone appreciates the same type of communication. Some students/families might prefer one method while others prefer another. That being said, I think communication from teachers that students connect with and whom they respect might carry extra weight.

# data[].attributes.body
This is more of a long-term goal, but if neighborhood HS were good, then we wouldn't have parents frantically trying to send their kids to criteria-based schools. We really, really need to bring these schools up.

# data[].attributes.body
With the many thousands of families whose children attend SDP schools, I'm saddened to see so few families on this call. And I see at least two of us are parents from the same elementary schools.

# data[].attributes.body
If admission schools have open days/houses for future students, teachers at current schools should provide dates of open houses to students (with enough notice) as well as time (excused absence if necessary) so they can visit schools prior to choosing/applying.

# data[].attributes.body
All of what is answered under previous answer. Additionally - if requested/welcomed - advising students on what teachers (especially ones knowing the particular student well and/or have a good relationship with) think regarding where the student should be applying and why.

# data[].attributes.body
This is feedback from a friend who went through this process last year - the wait list process is confusing.

# data[].attributes.body
Accessing (whichever) portal through which application is submitted and reviewing submission (for completeness).

# data[].attributes.body
minimum qualification requirements, deadlines, required documents, required work (e.g. essays), how/where to submit all required paperwork.

# data[].attributes.body
They can help identify whether certain schools would be a good fit for students. Not everyone would be a good fit for Masterman, Central etc. Need to set them up for success.

# data[].attributes.headline
Why would a student who lives in catchment actually select that catchment school on the application?

# data[].attributes.subject
Why would a student who lives in catchment actually select that catchment school on the application?

# data[].attributes.body
This is essentially "wasting" an application. If you only have five applications and your neighborhood school is a default acceptance, there's no reason to list that school in your process.

# data[].attributes.body
Will there be another change this Fall with the upcoming selection process, and when will they be communicated out?

# data[].attributes.headline
Neighborhood HSs do not know who is enrolled until October.

# data[].attributes.subject
Neighborhood HSs do not know who is enrolled until October.

# data[].attributes.body
Students are enrolled on paper but are enrolling in charters or getting scooped by magnets all throughout the first month of school. This is a culture killer.

# data[].attributes.headline
An Informational Portal would be helpful

# data[].attributes.subject
An Informational Portal would be helpful

# data[].attributes.body
This would be outside of the selection process portal, with information on each school, focus, a day in the life, academics/clubs/extracurricular activities etc.

# data[].attributes.headline
The general idea that only some schools are options is harmful to the SDP as a whole.

# data[].attributes.subject
The general idea that only some schools are options is harmful to the SDP as a whole.

# data[].attributes.body
MS counselors in particular are 1) hard to reach and 2) pretty set in their ways about which HSs they'll even consider for *any* student.

# data[].attributes.body
Online profiles only go so far.

# data[].attributes.body
Ideally the process would be as equitable, providing ALL students with the same opportunities. All available spots should be filled. Maximizing the number of students who get admitted to their first or second choice of school.

# data[].attributes.body
The selection process overvalues special admit and magnet schools and undervalues neighborhood schools, thereby driving families who don't enter "special" schools to charters.

# data[].attributes.body
More of them, thoughout the year, communicated early and widely.

# data[].attributes.headline
Open houses *before* school selection process starts

# data[].attributes.subject
Open houses *before* school selection process starts

# data[].attributes.body
Believe some schools do have open houses, but feel like parents have to navigate different resources go access info. A centralized portal (not the school selection process portal), with details and focus of each school, would be helpful in the decision process. Schools can also dedicate some time in the Fall to discuss with 8th graders and answer questions.

# data[].attributes.headline
The guidelines published by GreatPhillySchools feel reductive. 

# data[].attributes.subject
The guidelines published by GreatPhillySchools feel reductive. 

# data[].attributes.body
The SDP has made gains (in the HS space especially) to produce a portfolio of options for students. Why do the materials explaining schools try to fit them all into one box?

There are neighborhood schools with great programming (and terrible test scores, usually) that are not advertised.

# data[].attributes.body
Understand that refinement could be underway for this Fall's school selection process, parents should be given *ample* time (at least a few weeks before school selection process begins) to review any changes. I believe this advance notice was not given to parents 2 years ago which resulted in confusion and frustration.

# data[].attributes.body
Children are younger

# data[].attributes.headline
A clear one-page calendar *and* a clear stepper.

# data[].attributes.subject
A clear one-page calendar *and* a clear stepper.

# data[].attributes.headline
Overall directions were hard to come by.

# data[].attributes.subject
Overall directions were hard to come by.

# data[].attributes.body
I have a Masters Degree and work in Phila public schools and still felt like this process was difficult to navigate.

# data[].attributes.body
The user interface felt outdated somehow; there wasn't a clear path forward.

# data[].attributes.body
We opted into a TWI kindergarten for my son in 2022.

# data[].attributes.headline
Keep PSSAs as criteria for school selection

# data[].attributes.subject
Keep PSSAs as criteria for school selection

# data[].attributes.body
I believe PSSAs have been brought back this year, so I would like to suggest that we keep PSSAs as a criteria for the school selection process. Grades can still reflect subjectivity, and an "A" from school A could mean a "B" from school B. Grades should absolutely still be considered, but PSSAs helps assess student ability with the same standard.

# data[].attributes.body
4; my son is in 7th grade so we are at the beginning of the selection process.