HCCS are the laboratory schools of the City University of New York and governed by Hunter College.  The only entry years at Hunter College Campus Schools are Kindergarten and Seventh Grade. Admissions policies and procedures are reviewed each year by the faculty and administration of HCCS and the leadership at Hunter College.  Information on this website is updated as the details become available.

The Hunter College High School (HCHS) Admissions: For information about applying for the September Class of 2016, you will find more information below the heading of “Hunter College High School Admissions”.  The admissions process for all NYC resident sixth graders will begin the first week of September 2009. Updated information for seventh grade entry in September 2010 will be posted after July 1, 2009.

Hunter College Elementary School (HCES) Admissions:  For information about applying for the HCES September 2010 Kindergarten Class, please visit the elementary school’s website at http://hces.hunter.cuny.edu.

If you would like information about applying to Hunter’s 7th grade class for September 2010, please check this website again after July 1, 2009. In the meantime, you may want to read about the past year’s process by clicking on the links you will find below. [Note: some important information and parts of the process may change. For example, the NYC Dept. of Education statewide scaled scores that determine eligibility to sit for the HCHS entrance exam are recalculated each year.] There is extensive information about the curriculum available on the HCHS Homepage. See the 2009-2010 Course Catalog among other options on that page.

A NOTE TO THE CANDIDATES FOR THE FALL 2009 SEVENTH GRADE CLASS: Thank you for choosing to participate in the entrance exam! The results were mailed in mid-February. As students who scored in the top 10th percentile in your fifth grade Mathematics and English tests, each of you has already proven yourself as an advanced learner. The fact that you chose to sit for the exam demonstrated your strong academic drive. We regret that we do not have enough spaces for all of the students who qualify for advanced curricula. Therefore, eligibility to enroll in Hunter is determined by the highest scores achieved on the entrance exam administered January 9, 2009. Approximately 225 students were invited to enroll in the Class of 2015.

Links and Forms (Updated forms will be posted after July 1, 1009)

The Hunter College Campus Schools (HCCS) in New York City are comprised of Hunter College Elementary School (HCES), grades K-6, and Hunter College High School (HCHS), grades 7-12. They are publicly funded, specialized schools whose mission is specifically designed to educate intellectually and academically gifted students.

A faculty of committed leaders and innovators in the field of gifted education use teaching methods designed to develop critical and creative thinking while also offering their students opportunities to accelerate learning and to study topics in great depth.

The Campus Schools aspire to be a community with a student population that reflects New York’s diversity; that fosters respect for and appreciation of individual and cultural differences; emphasizes social responsibility, community service and good citizenship; and values civility and ethical behavior.

The high school years are characterized by a rigorous college preparatory education in the liberal arts and sciences which prepares students to attend the nation’s leading colleges and universities, as well as for lifelong leadership and achievement. A wide array of extra curricular activities and a program rich in the visual and performing arts are also available for students.

The term “gifted” generally refers to unusually well developed qualities or characteristics that are in one’s profile of talents and affinities relative to the typical range of those same characteristics observed in others of that age group.  Giftedness is not necessarily a quality one is born with, and it is most certainly fluid—it can increase or diminish as one develops over time.  Giftedness can be identified in a wide realm of talents: musical, spatial, quantitative, linguistic, etc. The program at HCHS is most appropriate for intellectually gifted students who would benefit from accelerated academic curricula.

Hunter College High School (HCHS) offers a program designed specifically for students who demonstrate characteristics associated with intellectually oriented interests, skills and talents. A gifted child may manifest many, but not all of the characteristics of high academic potential. Many characteristics, such as task commitment and creativity, for example, are characteristics that can be developed.

Children who demonstrate advanced problem solving skills and abstract reasoning, a persistent desire to know about things, strong memory and recall, and a faster pace of assimilating and applying new knowledge, should be formally evaluated for programs that offer developmentally appropriate programming for advanced learners.

Listed below are some of the behaviors most frequently associated with intellectually gifted children.

OBSERVABLE BEHAVIORS MOST OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH INTELLECTUALLY GIFTED CHILDREN

Learning Characteristics & Behaviors

• A high level of measured intelligence (reasoning skills measure several years above age mates)
• Learns rapidly and easily; may resist doing routine work or works in careless manner
• Prefers complex and challenging tasks rather than basic or routine work; may resist challenging work for fear his/her struggle will be seen by others
• Knows about many things of which others of the same age are not yet unaware; retains knowledge
• Verbally proficient, exhibits advanced vocabulary for age or grade level
• Reads with comprehension several years above grade level; voracious reader
• Skilled in and enjoys problem solving; enjoys working with numbers
• Easily discerns relationships and patterns
• Draws inferences; advanced critical and creative thinking skills
• Displays curiosity about many topics, keenly observant
• Transfers learning to new situations

Motivational Characteristics

• Has passionate interests, easily absorbed in activities and thoughts; in middle school grades, may not transition to next activity quickly/easily if absorbed in current activity
• Persistent in seeking task completion
• Prefers to work independently, requires little direction; may dislike cooperative/collaborative learning
• Assumes and discharges responsibility; may dominate others (Some will choose to observe and quietly assess new situations before engaging in the activity; this is not the same as shyness.)
• Strong beliefs; opinionated

Creative Characteristics

• Displays intellectual playfulness; asks many “what if” questions; may be a nonconformist
• Enjoys experimentation; invents new methods or solutions to tasks; may daydream, be absentminded or disorganized
• Displays a keen sense of humor or sees humor in subtle situations; may make jokes or comments at inappropriate time

Social-Emotional Characteristics

• Has strong sense of justice/fairness; may assertively oppose perceived injustices
• Self-confident; may believe he/she is valued for what he/she can do rather than who he/she is; may fear loss of regard from others if exceptional ability is lost
• Tends to be a perfectionist; may be self-critical and critical of others, may work slowly, may procrastinate
• Bases friendships on similarity of interest rather than age
• Adjusts easily to new situations showing either quiet/observant or gregarious behavior

Most experts agree that judging giftedness is more a process of observing a child’s behaviors, which when compared with other children of the same age, are significantly more advanced. The behaviors listed above are for reference only and should not be used as a checklist for the identification of giftedness.

How does HCHS identify students who are most likely to benefit from their specialized educational program?

HCHS currently uses the scores above the 90th percentile in BOTH reading and math on a nationally standardized test or the NY State Testing Program from a student’s fifth grade year as the initial identifier of potentially intellectually gifted students. By achieving the top 10% of scores, these students qualify to sit for the HCHS Entrance Examination in the January preceding the fall enrollment in 7th grade.

Most experts agree that judging giftedness is more a process of observing a child’s behaviors, which when compared with other children of the same age, are significantly more advanced. The behaviors listed above are for reference only and should not be used as a checklist for the identification of giftedness.

New York State Education Department’s Definition of Gifted:

The term ‘gifted pupils’ shall mean those pupils who show evidence of high performance capability and exceptional potential in areas such as general intellectual ability, special academic aptitude and outstanding ability in visual and performing arts. Such definition shall include those pupils who require educational programs or services beyond those normally provided by the regular school program in order to realize their full potential. (New York Education Law § 4452)

A Sampling of Links to Websites to Learn More about Gifted and Talented Children Who Require Specialized Educational Methods:

Resource to support Gifted Teens.
http://giftedkids.about.com/od/giftedadolescents/Gifted_Teens.htm

Hoagies Gifted Education Home Page. 
http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/

Summer Institute for the Gifted.
http://www.giftedstudy.com/

Myths and Truths about Gifted Kids.
http://school.familyeducation.com/gifted-education/parenting/38662.html

Gifted Children: Identification, Encouragement, and Development. 
http://www.gifted-children.com/

NYC Dept of Ed. Website with information about their programs.
http://schools.nyc.gov/Academics/GiftedandTalented/default.htm

Information about Intellectual Giftedness.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/articles/i/intellectual_giftedness.htm

Understanding The Emotional, Intellectual and Social Uniqueness Of Growing Up Gifted.
http://nswagtc.org.au/info/articles/SwordUnderstandingEmotional.html

Hunter College High School encompasses grades 7 through 12, with 7th grade as the only entry level year. It provides a rigorous college preparatory program that includes a broad array of required and elective courses. The curriculum is rich and demanding, and the classes are characterized by lively exchanges among the students, and between the students and teachers. There is a sense of informality throughout the corridors, complementing a seriousness of purpose in the classrooms.
Instructional strategies at Hunter are designed to meet the educational needs and learning styles of intellectually gifted students who share a passion for learning.

THE FACULTY
The faculty at Hunter College High School are experienced educators who are deeply interested in the subjects they teach. All have masters degrees, and a number have doctorates. Many of the teachers are Hunter College and/or Hunter College Campus Schools alumnae/i.

SUPPORT SERVICES
Succeeding at Hunter College High School means more than striving for high achievement; it means the development of the whole person. There is a department of Counseling Services, a learning specialist and a school nurse. These dedicated individuals, along with the faculty and administrators, help students to mature, to develop a clear sense of values, and to explore their unique talents.
Older students serve as “Big Sibs” for the seventh and eighth graders to help the new students adjust to Hunter. Each grade has both a Class Counselor and a Class Term Faculty Advisor.

THE SERVICE LEARNING PROGRAM
Hunter requires that each student fulfill a service program in order to graduate. Service experiences provide knowledge, promote responsibility and enable students to help meet the needs of their community. In addition, these experiences allow students to explore career interests and enhance their self-confidence, through which they become aware that they can make a difference in the world. Students must complete their service obligation by the end of their junior (5th) year. Students fulfill this requirement after school, on weekends, or during the summer.

THE SENIOR YEAR
The senior or “Hunter Scholars” year is an opportunity for early college or work experience, during which students explore many learning options. They may take a full program of courses, including Advanced Placement courses at the school and courses at various area colleges and universities in the city. Alternatively, they may take a combination of courses and off-campus learning experiences (internships), which are specially designed by and for each student.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Hunter students have opportunities to learn and have fun in a wide range of activities. As a member of the Public Schools’ Athletic League, Hunter fields 20 interscholastic teams, which are among the best in the city. There are also eight middle school athletic clubs/teams. Major non-athletic activities include debating, chess, publications, vocal and instrumental music performing groups, and dramatic groups. In addition, there are a variety of student clubs such as the Art Club, Human Rights Watch, and Ping Pong. Club meetings take place during the lunch period and after school.

ATHLETICS
HCHS offers 27 athletic teams that compete on the Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Middle School levels. These teams have earned league and division titles throughout NYC and NY State for decades. Successful Varsity teams include the Boys’ and Girls’ Volleyball teams, as division champions for two consecutive years. The three-season Track and Field program regularly places in the top three Manhattan Championships. Other competitive programs include soccer, basketball, baseball, lacrosse, wrestling and fencing. In 2007 the Fencing Team successfully
defended their City Champions’ title. The varsity teams included 13 division finalists and competed in the city-wide PSAL playoffs. The athletic program demonstrates that it is possible to simultaneously participate at a highly competitive level in athletics and flourish academically. Information on the Athletic Program is available at the Hunter College High

School web site at http://www.hchshawks.com. 

THE CURRICULUM
■ Grade 7
English
Social Studies
Math
Environmental Science
Latin, French or Spanish
Physical Education
Art History/Studio Art
Communications & Theater
Music
Health Education
(Grade 7 courses do not carry high school credit)
■ Grade 8
English
Global Studies I & 2
Math
Physical Science*
Latin, French or Spanish
Physical Education*
Art History/Studio Art
Communications & Theater
Music
Health Education
(*These courses do not carry high school credit)
■ Grade 9
English
Global Studies 3 & 4
Math
Biology (Regents)
Latin, French or Spanish
Physical Education
Art History/Studio Art
Music
Health/CPR
■ Grade 10
English
Social Studies 5
Math
Chemistry
Latin, French or Spanish
Physical Education
Art History/Studio Art or Music
Health
■ Grade 11
English
US History
Physical Education
Math
Physics
One or two electives

■ Grade 12
Physics (if not in 11th grade)
Physical Education
Five or six electives
(The elective offerings include opportunities for college courses and internships.)
Elective Options are too numerous to list.
Examples include:
Arts: Photography, Ceramics, Painting, Digital Imaging,
Drawing
English: Creative Writing, Modernism in Literature, Latin
American Magical Realism, Advanced Placement (AP)
Logic and Composition
Communication & Theater: Acting & Directing,
Playwriting, Broadcast Journalism, Film in Society
Health Education: Interpersonal Relations, Exercise,
Aerobics, Basketball, Karate, Cycling, Fencing, Flag Rugby
Mathematics: Introduction to Computer Science, AP BC
Calculus, AP Statistics, Problem Solving, Linear Algebra
Science: Astrophysics, Physiology, Conservation Biology,
Forensic Science, Genetics, AP Biology, AP Chemistry
Social Studies: International Relations, US Constitutional
Law, AP Microeconomics, AP Psychology, Readings in
Philosophy, Archaeology, Asian Civilization
World Languages: Latin IV / AP Virgil, Classical
Mythology, Advanced French Conversation, Spanish V,
Intensive Italian