Step 4. Interviews and Testing
Once a complete application is received, the school will contact you about interviews, testing and observation days.
In Lower School, prospective students are required to attend the school for a full day, to get a feel for the school and give teachers a chance to get to know them in an informal setting. No formal testing is required.
Students applying to Grades 7–12 are not required to attend the school for a day but are more than welcome to do so. These students must register to write the SSAT. The SSAT does not need to be completed before the interview. HTS does not use this test as a screen.
Family interviews are mandatory for all students applying to the school.
| Applying to Grade |
Observation Day |
Testing |
Family Interviews |
| JK-6 |
Mandatory |
Informal testing on the day of the visit |
Mandatory |
|
|
|
|
| 7-12 |
Optional |
Students must register to write the SSAT(www.ssat.org) |
Mandatory |
SSAT (Grades 7–12 Applicants Only)
The SSAT (Secondary School Admissions Test) is the common entrance test used by most GTA schools. The SSAT consists of five parts – an essay and four multiple-choice sections: two on math and two on English language. Tests are designed to assess students’ cognitive abilities and are scored based on the exact age of the child, comparing him/her to others of the same age. The SSAT provides schools with a common measure for evaluating the abilities of applicants, regardless of country of origin or curriculum studied. SSAT scores are not used for screening purposes. They are used as a guide only, as HTS takes a holistic approach when considering a student for admission. HTS does not encourage the use of tutors for preparation. The best way for a student to prepare is to do the practice tests supplied in the Student Registration Guide at the website: http://www.ssat.org/ontario. The SSAT does not need to be taken before the admissions interview takes place.
Students must register online at www.ssat.org/ontario. The test may be written at HTS on dates shown below or applicants may arrange to write the test at another designated school. The HTS test centre number is 3985.
HTS SSAT Test Dates:
Saturday, November 26, 2011 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Saturday, January 28, 2012 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
English Language Proficiency
Students whose native tongue is not English and who have not attended school in Canada for 3 years are required to write the TOEFL test (ESL). Students can register onlilne at http://www.ets.org/. The final score must be above 600 in order to be accepted as a student at HTS.
Selection Criteria
Although strong academic skills are a requirement for entry at all
grade levels, students are not selected on the basis of academic results
alone. Involvement in the arts, athletics and community service are
also important. Teacher and/or counsellor recommendations are of great
value.