How does Hanoi recruit high quality 6th grade students?

High-quality secondary schools may admit students from outside their designated catchment area, either through reviewing academic transcripts or organizing entrance exams.

In a guideline issued on April 9th, the Department of Education and Training allowed public secondary schools recognized by the City People's Committee as high-quality to enroll 6th-grade students from outside their designated catchment area. If the number of applicants exceeds the quota, the school may select students based on academic records, awards, or a combination of these with an entrance exam.

For admissions, schools proactively develop their own scoring formulas, based on students' academic and behavioral performance in primary school and any preferential treatment they may have. Admission scores are calculated on a 10-point scale.

If combined with an entrance exam, the admission score is the sum of the application score and the exam score multiplied by a factor of two. The application score is based on the candidate's academic transcript and priority status; the exam score is the sum of all exam scores, each on a 10-point scale.

The Department notes that the content of the tests mainly covers the 5th grade curriculum, in multiple-choice or essay format, with a time limit of no more than 60 minutes per subject. High-quality secondary schools should proactively develop plans, propose test subjects and schedules, and then report to the District Education and Training Department for submission to the District People's Committee for approval.

"Schools should choose a suitable time for the entrance exams and complete the enrollment process no later than July 12," the guidelines stated.

Currently, Hanoi has several high-quality secondary schools, including Nam Tu Liem, Le Loi (Ha Dong district), Cau Giay, and Thanh Xuan. These schools usually hold entrance exams for grade 6, which take place in mid- to late June each year.

Previously, the capital city also recognized the junior high school system (Ams2) of Hanoi - Amsterdam High School for Gifted Students as belonging to the group of high-quality schools. However, according to the requirements of the Ministry of Education and Training , this system must stop enrolling students this year.

Students of Cau Giay Secondary School on the opening day of the 2022 school year. This is one of the high-quality public secondary schools in Hanoi. Photo: Giang Huy — Students of Cau Giay Secondary School on the opening day of the 2022 school year. This is one of the high-quality public secondary schools in Hanoi. Photo: *Giang Huy*

For the 2024-2025 school year, Hanoi will have 246,000 students entering grade 6, an increase of 58,000 compared to the previous year. According to the Department's plan, secondary schools must complete the issuance of enrollment codes to parents before May 31st.

If schools have not met their enrollment targets by July 18th, they must report to the Department to arrange for supplementary recruitment. The list of admitted students will be updated no later than July 23rd.

Thanh Hang

Source link