Educational CHOICE for Families School Year Beginning August Academy District 20

Transcription

1 Educational CHOICE for Families Year Beginning August Academy District 20 Academy District 20 offers a full range of educational choices for families. We offer neighborhood schools, a charter school, schoolwithin-a-school models, and school wide programs. This packet is designed to walk you through Academy District 20 s enrollment options and procedures. You will find schools listed by level (elementary, middle, and high) as well as by strand (International Baccalaureate Programme, Technology, Pre-Engineering, Advancement via Individual Determination Program, etc.) As you read this booklet please be sure to: Carefully read through the registration procedures Note the definition of terms Note the February 26, 2016 deadline for Choice applications

2 Purpose Statement The purpose of Academy District 20 s choice program is to provide educational opportunities for families in order to meet the learning needs of their students. To that end, we offer a variety of options in our schools including International Baccalaureate programs, pre-engineering tracks, integrated arts academies, technology strand schools, a Mandarin Chinese and world cultures school, and many other unique programs. While some schools may have specific focus areas, all of our schools teach the Colorado standards and offer comprehensive programs for students. ***Once a student is initially approved through the choice process, continued approval is contingent upon the student being enrolled in school and regularly attending class from the start of the school year.*** s Academy Calvert Academy Endeavour Academy International Antelope Trails Chinook Trail da Vinci Academy Discovery Canyon Campus Douglass Valley Edith Wolford Explorer Foothills Frontier High Plains Home Academy Programs Mountain View Pioneer Prairie Hills Ranch Creek Rockrimmon in the Woods Woodmen-Roberts Website

3 Middle s * Challenger Middle Discovery Canyon Campus Eagleview Middle Home Academy Programs Mountain Ridge Middle *Aspen Valley Middle Timberview Middle Website * Aspen Valley Middle serves 7th and 8th grade students, but has a separate application process. High s * Academy Online High Air Academy High *Aspen Valley High Discovery Canyon Campus Liberty High Pine Creek High Rampart High Website * Aspen Valley High Alternative serves grades 9 through 12, but has a separate application process

4 Feeder Systems for Assigned Attendance - Once a student enrolls in a school, that school becomes the assigned school regardless of where the student lives. The student will forfeit any spot previously held at any other District 20 school. Resident Students: Once a resident student is assigned to a given school, that student will attend the subsequent schools in the feeder strand (see the feeder strand diagrams below) until a choice application is submitted during a subsequent choice window and is approved. Non-Resident Students: Non-resident students will remain at the choice school for the duration of that level (elementary, middle or high), unless the student s enrollment is withdrawn (including expulsion). All non-resident students must submit a choice application during the choice window for the level transition (5th to 6th grade or 8th to 9th grade). Douglass Valley Foothills Rockrimmon Woodmen- Roberts Eagleview Middle Air Academy High Antelope Trails Discovery Canyon da Vinci Academy Discovery Canyon Middle Discovery Canyon High Explorer Frontier (by address) Pioneer (by address) Prairie Hills Ranch Creek Timberview Middle Liberty High - 3 -

5 Chinook Trail Edith Wolford Challenger Middle Pine Creek High Mountain View Academy Endeavour Academy International Frontier (by address) High Plains Pioneer (by address) Mountain Ridge Middle Rampart High Apply from any in-district or out-of-district Middle Aspen Valley Middle (grades 7 & 8) Aspen Valley High - 4 -

6 International Baccalaureate Programmes Primary Years at Academy International Feeder Systems for IB Program s Primary Years at Ranch Creek Primary Years at Rockrimmon Primary Years at Woodmen-Roberts Middle Years at Mountain Ridge Middle Diploma at Rampart High International Baccalaureate Programmes Primary Years at Antelope Trails Primary Years at Discovery Canyon Middle Years at Discovery Canyon Middle Diploma at Discovery Canyon High (Grades 11 and 12) * 5th grade students who reside in District 20 and attend Ranch Creek, Rockrimmon or Woodmen-Roberts elementary schools may choose to attend middle years IB program at Mountain Ridge Middle instead of their neighborhood middle school by contacting Central Registry (719) during the choice window in January/February

7 Definition of Terms Assigned - Once a student enrolls in a school, that school becomes the student s assigned school, regardless of area of residence. Once a student enrolls in a school, the student forfeits any spot previously held at any other District 20 school. Attendance at an assigned school means that the student will attend the middle and high schools in that feeder system, unless the student applies during the choice window to leave that feeder system or strand. This means two things: (1) The student will never return to their neighborhood school unless the student applies to do so during the choice window and is accepted, and (2) The student will not be required to take any action if the student wishes to remain in the current feeder system. Exception: When a student changes residence to a different attendance area within the district, the student does not have to take any action if the student decides to stay at the assigned school. If the student decides to make the new neighborhood school the assigned school, the student does so by informing Central Registry at the time of the residence change. If the student decides to make the neighborhood school the newly assigned school at a later date, the student must apply to do so during the choice window. Whenever a student applies for and is accepted to a school other than their neighborhood school, the student gives up any and all rights to attend their neighborhood school. Charter s - Charter s were established by Colorado law in The Charter s Act. A charter school is a public school intended to provide an avenue for parents, teachers, and community members to implement new and innovative ways of educating children that are proven to be effective. Charter schools can seek waivers from school district policies and procedures as well as from state laws. Charter schools are responsible for performance through the Educational Accountability Act of (C.R.S ) Choice - Each January, District 20 hosts a choice application window. During this window, students may apply to attend any district school, beginning the following fall semester. If the student is accepted in his/her selected school of choice he/she must attend that school the following school year beginning in August. Once the student is accepted in the choice school, the choice school becomes his/her assigned school, and the student will follow the feeder system for that school. Space availability dictate the number of applicants accepted in the choice school. If a student wants to move out of the choice school, a new application will have to be completed during the next available choice application window. Enrollment - Enrollment indicates that the student has (a) been assigned to the school, (b) completed registration for both the district and the school, and (c) regularly attended class at the school. Feeder System - The feeder system is a system for moving students from elementary school to middle school to high school. See pages 3 through

8 Home-based Education (Homeschooled) - In Academy District 20 a home-based educational program refers to the sequential program of instruction for the education of a child which takes place in a home, which is provided by the child's parent or by an adult relative of the child designated by the parent, and which is not under the supervision and control of a school district. Full-time home-based education (homeschooled) students may enroll in the Home Academy enrichment program one day per week. Neighborhood s - A neighborhood school is the school a student would attend according to his/her address. Students interested in attending a neighborhood school that is not their own will have the opportunity to request that school during the Choice Application Window, which is conducted in January. The following schools do not serve a specific neighborhood and have separate application processes: The Classical Academy, Aspen Valley High, Aspen Valley Middle, Academy Online High, Academy Calvert and Home Academy. Online Learning Academy Online High students participate in teacher-directed courses either fulltime (or part-time in conjunction with their neighborhood school or through homeschooled options) delivered through a sequential program of instruction from a teacher to a student primarily through the use of technology via the internet in a virtual or remote setting. These courses are not self-paced and not for credit recovery. See the web page at Academy Calvert K-8 Online provides a choice for parents across the state of Colorado who want to be more directly involved in their child s education. Academy Calvert enables you to share the gift of your time and talent with your child in a flexible and individualized home-based learning environment. The curriculum, developed by the Calvert, is both vertically and horizontally integrated and meets the Colorado State Standards in all subject areas. Your child will be supported by highly qualified teachers who are experienced in all aspects of virtual education and who are committed to supporting every family. The Academy Calvert learning environment consists of a partnership among students, our faculty, parents, peers, and both academic and technology support teams. The additional optional support provided by the Academy Calvert resource center located in Colorado Springs allows students to expand their learning through Art, Science and collaborative projects in a face to face environment. Registration - Registration refers to completion of online information and required paperwork submission. -Within-A- Models - -within-a-school models offer a particular focus area to interested students while simultaneously offering a standard curriculum to the other students within the same building. These schools also serve neighborhood areas

9 Frequently Asked Questions 1) When is the Choice Window? The Choice Window will begin Friday, January 8, 2016 and will end 4:00pm on Friday, February 26, ) Who has to complete a choice form? Any student who wants to transfer from one District 20 school to another District 20 school. Any out-of-district student who wants to attend a District 20 school, (who is not currently attending a District 20 school). Any out-of-district student who is at the conclusion of his/her educational level (elementary, middle) and wants to attend a District 20 school for the next level. 3) What is the process for completing a choice form? Choice forms are completed online at Page two of the choice form must be signed by the parent, and faxed to (719) or delivered to Central Registry by 4:00pm on February 26, (Note: Acceptance to a school of choice is not on a first come, first serve basis). 4) When will I be notified about my choice application? You will be notified via by April 1, ) I live in one District 20 neighborhood and I have choiced my student to a District 20 school outside my neighborhood. Now I would like my student to attend my neighborhood school for the next school year. What do I have to do? You must complete a choice form. If space is available at your neighborhood school, your student may return to the neighborhood school. 6) I currently reside out-of-district and my student is in grade 5 at Discovery Canyon. Do I have to choice my student to Discovery Canyon for grade 6? Yes, because your student is at the conclusion of their building/educational level (elementary). 7) I currently reside out-of-district and my student is a Kindergarten student at Prairie Hills. Do I have to choice my student to Prairie Hills for 1st grade? No, your student may continue through 5th grade at Prairie Hills without completing a choice form

10 8) If I move from one address in District 20 to another in District 20, how do I change my address and does my student have to change schools? Your change of address can be processed through Central Registry. The District 20 Change of Address form must accompany one of the required verification documents: warranty deed bill of sale settlement statement from closing signed contract with a closing date current signed rental agreement current El Paso County tax notice quarters assignment lease from USAFA housing office At that time, subject to space availability, you will decide whether to move your student to the new neighborhood school (and that feeder system) or remain at the current school (and that feeder system). Transportation may not be provided. 9) If I choice into a high school that is not my neighborhood high school, would that affect my student s eligibility to play varsity sports? Eligibility may be affected. We suggest you contact the targeted school s athletic director before submitting the choice form. For transfer rules, see 10) If I reside outside of District 20, when is the latest my student can start school? We highly recommend that all students begin regularly attending school on the first day of the school year. Choice approval may be revoked for any non-resident student who does not regularly attend school at the beginning of the school year and will be automatically revoked for any non-resident student who does not regularly attend prior to October 1. 11) If I reside outside District 20 and my student is withdrawn from school at any point, then can he/she return to school at a later date? Withdrawal from school (including expulsion) will result in the choice approval for a nonresident student being revoked. The student shall not be allowed to return to the school until such time as a subsequent choice application is submitted and approved

11 Choice Information Meetings During the Choice Enrollment Window January - February 2016 s Date Time Agenda Phone *Academy Calvert K-8 Online Thursday, January 14 5:30-7:00pm K-5 Info Academy Endeavour Tuesday, January 26 5:00-6:00pm K-5 Info Academy International Thursday, January 14 6:00-7:00pm K-5 Info Antelope Trails Thursday, January 14 6:30-7:30pm K-5 Info Chinook Trail Thursday, January 14 6:00-7:00pm K-5 Info da Vinci Academy Tuesday, February 2 6:00-7:00pm K-5 Info Discovery Canyon Campus Tuesday, January 26 5:30-6:30pm K-5 Info *Douglass Valley Wednesday, January 20 6:00-7:00pm K-5 Info Edith Wolford Tuesday, January 19 6:00-7:00pm K-5 Info Explorer Tuesday, January 12 5:00-5:45pm K Info :45-6:30pm grades 1-5 Info Foothills Thursday, January 14 6:30-8:00pm K-5 Info Frontier Thursday, January 21 5:00-6:00pm K-5 Info High Plains Thursday, February 4 6:00-7:00pm K-5 Info *Home Academy Monday, February 1 6:00-7:00pm Choice Info Mountain View Wednesday, January 13 6:00-8:00pm K-5 Info Pioneer Wednesday, January13 5:30-6:30pm K-5 Info Prairie Hills Thursday, January 21 5:00-6:00pm K-5 Info Ranch Creek Tuesday, January 26 6:30-7:30pm K-5 Info Rockrimmon Thursday, January 21 6:30-7:30pm K-5 Info in the Woods Saturday, January 30 9:00-10:00am Meet at Wolford (4th grade only, for Fall ) 10:15-11:30am Open House at SITW Woodmen-Roberts Wednesday, January 6 6:00-7:30pm K-5 Info Middle s Date Time Agenda Phone *Academy Calvert K-8 Online Thursday, January 14 5:30-7:00pm 6-8 Info Aspen Valley Middle Monday, January 11 6:00-8:00pm Choice Info Challenger Middle Thursday, January 7 6:30-8:00pm Choice Info Discovery Canyon Campus Tuesday, January 19 5:30-7:00pm Choice Info Eagleview Middle Thursday, January 21 6:00-7:30pm Choice Info Tuesday, January 26 6:00-7:30pm Academic Arts Academy *Home Academy Monday, February 1 6:00-7:00pm Choice Info Mountain Ridge Middle Thursday, January 28 6:00-7:00pm Choice Info Timberview Middle Thursday, January 28 6:30-7:30pm Choice Info High s Date Time Agenda Phone *Academy Online High Wednesday, January 20 6:00-7:00pm Choice Info Air Academy High Thursday, January 14 6:00-8:00pm Choice Info Aspen Valley High Monday, January 11 6:00-8:00pm Choice Info Discovery Canyon Campus Thursday, February 4 5:30-6:00pm Choice Info Liberty High Wednesday, February 3 5:30-6:30pm Choice Info Pine Creek High Thursday, February11 6:00-7:00pm Choice Info Rampart High Thursday, February11 6:00-7:30pm Choice Info *Will be held at District 20 Education and Administration Center

12 Kindergarten Registration (Schedule and Instructions) SCHOOL DATE TIME PHONE Academy Endeavour Thursday, Jan. 28 8:00-11:30 and 12:30-3: Academy International Tuesday, Jan. 26 8:00-11:30 and 12:30-3: Antelope Trails Wednesday, Jan. 20 8:00-11:30 and 12:30-3: Chinook Trail Thursday, Jan. 21 8:00-11:30 and 12:30-3: da Vinci Academy Thursday, Feb. 11 8:00-11:30 and 12:30-3: Discovery Canyon Campus Tuesday, Feb. 2 8:00-11:30 and 12:30-3: Douglass Valley Thursday, Feb. 4 8:00-11:30 and 12:30-3: Edith Wolford Thursday, Feb. 4 8:00-11:30 and 12:30-3: Explorer Wednesday, Feb. 3 8:00-11:30 and 12:30-3: Foothills Wednesday, Feb. 10 8:00-11:30 and 12:30-3: Frontier Thursday, Jan. 28 8:00-11:30 and 12:30-3: High Plains Thursday, Feb. 11 8:00-11:30 and 12:30-3: Home Academy Thursday, Feb. 11 8:00-11:30 and 12:30-3: Mountain View Wednesday, Jan. 27 8:00-11:30 and 12:30-3: Pioneer Wednesday, Jan. 27 8:00-11:30 and 12:30-3: Prairie Hills Wednesday, Feb. 3 8:00-11:30 and 12:30-3: Ranch Creek Tuesday, Feb. 16 8:00-11:30 and 12:30-3: Rockrimmon Wednesday, Feb. 10 8:00-11:30 and 12:30-3: Woodmen-Roberts Wednesday, Jan. 20 8:00-11:30 and 12:30-3: Make-Up Days Wednesday, Feb. 17 8:00-11:30 and 12:30-3: Thursday, Feb. 18 8:00-11:30 and 12:30-3: Friday, Feb. 19 8:00-11:30 and 12:30-3: Kindergarten students must be 5 years old by October 1, Registration Instructions: It is highly recommended you consult the District website ( for policy information regarding transportation, residency, admission, school assignment, open enrollment, and attendance before beginning registration. If you are registering for a school that is NOT your neighborhood school, you must complete a Choice form online ( the online portions of both the Kindergarten Registration and the Choice form. Come to Central Registry with all of the required documentation on the date and time designated for your school of choice (see above schedule). Kindergarten registration consists of two steps: Step One is completed online ( after January 1, This must be completed before beginning Step Two. (If you do not have access to a computer, you are invited to use a Central Registry computer at the Education and Administration Center). Step Two begins at the Education and Administration Center (1110 Chapel Hills Drive). Station 1: Present the following documents for copying (you must have ALL documents a through e to continue to Station 2). a. Verification of child s address (required for District 20 residence only): warranty deed, bill of sale, settlement statement from closing, signed contract with closing date, current signed rental agreement, current El Paso County tax notice or quarters assignment lease from USAFA housing office. b. The child s registered state birth certificate c. The child s immunization record d. Any existing court documents related to custody if the child does not reside with both legal/biological parents e. Picture ID of legal parent/guardian who is registering student Station 2: Visit with the school nurse. Station 3: Meet with a registrar to finalize the registration process. Station 4: Meet with the school secretary for session placement (half day or full day-tuition)

13 Kindergarten Registration ATTENTION CURRENT D20 PRESCHOOL PARENTS: If your student is currently attending a District 20 preschool and will be attending kindergarten in District 20 next fall, your student will be assigned to your neighborhood school. If your student is currently not attending a District 20 preschool, you will need to attend Kindergarten Registration. See page 10. Times, dates and locations for Kindergarten Registration and Choice Information Meetings will be determined in December This information will be published in local newspapers and will be posted on District 20 s website. You may only register for one school. Come to Central Registry on the date your targeted school is hosting its registration. If you miss your targeted school s registration, the three make-up days are Wednesday, February 17, 2016, Thursday, February 18, 2016 and Friday, February 19, Kindergarten seats are not awarded on first come first serve basis. If there are more applications than available seats, a lottery will be employed to determine who is seated. TRANSPORTATION QUESTIONS: Contact the Transportation Department at (719) FOR ENROLLMENT OR CHOICE QUESTIONS: Central Registry at (719) or by to Sue Judy at susan.judy@asd20.org