Proposed change to admission testing for Lowell High School

SFUSD is proposing a change to the Lowell Admissions Policy that will have SFUSD students and non-SFUSD students taking the same test as part of the admissions process for Lowell High School. This would ensure that all students are taking the same test in the same window, providing equitable access to Lowell. Currently, SFUSD and other public school students use their SBAC scores from spring of 7th grade while private school students take the Terra Nova in winter of 8th grade to qualify for admissions. We are making this change because the Terra Nova test is no longer available.

This would mean that SFUSD students will be able to count their 8th grade winter interim assessment results toward Lowell admissions - this is a test that SFUSD students take during school time as a benchmark of their learning throughout the year. Students and staff may know the benchmark as the Star test. This change would mean that the 8th grade winter interim - not the 7th grade SBAC - would be considered for Lowell admissions starting for 25-26 enrollment. Non-SFUSD students from private schools would take the Star test on an evening or weekend during the winter testing window in January, so all scores are from the same test at the same time, providing equitable access to Lowell. These families will be able to find out about and sign up for test dates as part of the application process through the SFUSD Enrollment Center. 

The Board will consider this policy at an April meeting. If approved, the policy change would take effect for students applying to Lowell for the 2025-26 school year.