Applying to high school in Buffalo? Students and their parents have an opportuntity to make an informed decision about which high school school to attend at the High School Showcase Saturday, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts.
"Applying to high school is not like applying for college. This gives kids a taste of making informed decisions," explained Associate Superintendent for School Leadership at Buffalo Public Schools Sabatino Cimato.
"To get a 13- or 14-year-old to choose what they're going to do for the rest of their life would be crazy, but what we do in Buffalo is we try to develop a wide range of programming so kids get a taste."
The showcase will feature all 21 programs at Buffalo public high schools in one location so students and their parents can meet with faculty, see demonstrations and ask questions about the next step along the educational journey toward a career.
"When it comes to your children and high school, the biggest [challenge] is grasping interest, and when we get to grasp their interest, the earlier the better," Cimato said. "It really builds excitement and it also builds on the goal of what they're trying to achieve in elementary school. So it's never too early to really tell our kiddos, 'Look it, this is what you're working for and this is your full-time job. You do this job well, you can have any job you want in the future.'"
Cimato said the event is also a big effort and opportunity for high schools.
"This is the biggest, most-attended event, where it will be all of the programs in one place, with around 1,000 families coming out and really seeing it," he told WBFO. "We tell our principals and our school leaders: 'This is your chance to make your program shine.'"
Cimato said city schools offer specialized high school programs in everything from culinary and computer science, to advanced manufacturing and athletics. Information about application requirements and Say Yes scholarships also will be available at Saturday's event.
