What is My CPS Tier? Understanding a Key Factor in Selective Enrollment Admissions

When navigating the world of Selective Enrollment admissions, you'll hear two things discussed constantly: the student's 900-point score and their "Tier." While the 900-Point Matrix is straightforward, the Tier system can be a source of major confusion for families.

What is a Tier? Why does it matter? And how does it affect your child's chances of getting into a top high school? This guide will demystify this crucial component of the admissions process.

What Are the CPS Tiers?

Chicago Public Schools divides the city into four groups, known as Tiers, for the purpose of high school admissions. Your Tier is determined by the socioeconomic characteristics of the community where you live (specifically, your census tract).

It is not based on your individual family's income or background. Instead, it is based on a combination of community data, including:

  • Median family income

  • Percentage of single-parent households

  • Percentage of households where English is not the primary language

  • Homeownership rates

  • Educational attainment levels of adults in the community

Tier 1 represents communities with the most economic hardship, while Tier 4 represents the city's most economically advantaged areas.

Why Does the Tier System Exist?

The goal of the Tier system is to promote socioeconomic diversity and ensure equitable access to the city's top academic high schools. By creating different admissions pathways, CPS aims to give high-achieving students from all over Chicago a fair shot at earning a spot in a Selective Enrollment High School.

At each SEHS, a percentage of seats (typically 30%) are filled by the top-scoring applicants regardless of their Tier. The remaining seats are distributed among students from each of the four Tiers.

How Do I Find My Tier?

You can find your student's Tier using the official interactive map on the GoCPS website. During the application window, you will enter your primary home address into the GoCPS portal, and the system will automatically assign and display your Tier. Verifying this information is a key step when you are Navigating the GoCPS Portal.

How Tiers Impact Your Admissions Score

This is the most critical part to understand: the cutoff score for admission is different for each Tier.

You are primarily competing for a seat against other students who live in the same Tier as you. For example, to get into a top school like Northside, the minimum score for a student from a Tier 4 address might be 890, while the cutoff for a student from a Tier 1 address might be 875. (Note: these scores are for illustrative purposes only).

The Tier system does not change your 900-point score. It simply provides the context for what score you will likely need to be competitive for a spot at a particular school.

What This Means for Your Test Prep Strategy

Regardless of your Tier, the goal remains the same: achieve the highest possible score you can. A higher score universally increases your chances. Since the HSAT is the only part of the score you can influence during 8th grade, a focused preparation strategy is essential for everyone.

Using CPS HSAT Practice Tests allows you to establish a baseline, identify weaknesses, and push your score as high as possible. This hard work gives you the best chance to clear the admissions cutoff for your specific Tier and secure a seat at a great high school.

The Tier system isn't something you can change, but it is something you can understand. By knowing your Tier, you gain a clearer picture of the admissions landscape and can create a more informed and strategic application plan.