Each fall, SDP students can apply to attend any school in the District. Although the school selection process (SSP) is open to all grades, 8th-grade students are particularly encouraged to participate by applying to up to five high schools. Fourth-graders are also likely to consider special admission schools that serve 5th grade.

Typically, student performance on the ELA and Math sections of the PSSA are two of the main components of applications to schools with admission requirements. Due to the interruption to standardized testing because of Covid-19, in Fall 2021, PSSA scores will not be used as part of the school selection process.

We gathered community input on alternative ways of matching students with good-fit schools by considering different admission requirements through a survey that was open May 17-June 11, 2021. A total of 5,849 people responded to the survey, and the responses are summarized in this slide deck.