Dear Parents and Guardians of 8th grade students,

I’d like to welcome you and your child back from summer break. This is a memorable year for your scholar; the year that your child applies to High Schools. The application will be sent home with your child in early October, to be completed together and returned to Mr. Maben by early November. Please note that the application must be completed and signed in blue or black ink, all other applications will be rejected and sent back to be completed appropriately. It is very important that you have conversations with your child during this process to make the best-informed decision for their future. There will be a practice application sent home with your child to help facilitate the conversation and to practice the application process.

Key dates and information to focus on:

1.        Join us at the informational open house on September 24, 2026, from 5-7 at Lorraine Elementary.

2.        High School Show Case on Saturday October 3, 2026; 9am-12pm at 1500 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14207 (McKinley High School).  

3.        Sign your child up for placement exams/auditions if you are planning to apply to any of the following schools. 1. Frederick Law Olmsted or City Honors (in School testing 10/9), Saturday testing dates TBD 2. Hutchinson Central Technical (10/17/26; 10/24/26) and/or 3. Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts (10/17/26; 10/24/26).

a.        https://www.buffaloschools.org/o/dept-admissions-registration/page/admissions-registration

b.        Link for Hutch Tech sign-ups: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E084EACAE28ABF49-44446924-hutch?useFullSite=true#/      

c.        Link to BAVPA: https://www.buffaloschools.org/o/ps192/page/admissions-process       

4.        Review the different high schools and programs with your child and have a conversation as to why those high schools align with their future goals. Open houses are beginning, please review the districts calendar to find open house dates for your child’s potential high school options.

https://www.buffaloschools.org/events?filter_ids=348975&view=list-month&start_date=2025-09-01&end_date=2026-09-30

5.        Review the application and the application process with your child. Please reach out to Mr. Maben if you have any questions regarding the High School Application process.

6.        Once your child is placed at a high school, that placement holds at least a one-year commitment.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via email, or phone call.

Andrew Maben

School Guidance Counselor

716-816-4809 ext. 1316

ALMaben