What are the different school choice options in the state? How do students opt into a choice school?

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1 What does school choice mean? The school choice program is the vehicle by which parents can enroll their children in any public school in Delaware, provided the school has capacity and parents follow the school choice application process. What are the different school choice options in the state? How do students opt into a choice school? Type of Choice Definition Application Process In-district choice Students apply to attend a school or program within their same district, but different from their feeder pattern school. Parents and students complete the application form available online. The application is due by the second Wednesday in January of each year. Cross-district choice Magnet schools Vocational Technical (votech) schools Public charter schools Students may apply to attend a school or program in a public school district outside of their district of residence. Students from any district may apply for admission to any magnet school in the state. Magnets are public schools that accept students based on demonstration of skills aligned with the school s area(s) of focus (academics, the arts, etc.). Students may apply to schools in the county in which they reside. Vo-tech schools are public schools governed by independent district boards. Curriculum combines academic instruction, career training, and structured work experiences. Charter schools are public schools governed by independent boards. They do not have feeder patterns neighborhood schools. Same as in-district choice process. Each magnet school s application process is different. Specific processes are outlined on the individual school s website. Applications are available from the schools and online. Requirements for each vo-tech program vary slightly and are posted on each school district s website. Aligned with the application process for district schools. Parents complete the online application form and submit it by the second Wednesday in January. How do schools and districts receiving choice applications decide on who to accept to their programs? Public school districts are required to admit students based on the following priorities: 1. Returning students who continue to meet the requirements of the school s program. 2. Students who meet program requirements and live within the designated feeder pattern. 3. Siblings of students already enrolled in in the school; priority may be given to siblings of students who live in the district before siblings of students who do not live in the district. 4. As long as the applicants meet program requirements, districts may also give priority for the following: a. Applicants who have listed the school as their first, second, or third choice. b. Students who live within the district. c. Children of school employees.

2 Who takes advantage of the choice options? Which options do they select? Approximately one in four Delaware public school students exercise school choice, as shown. 1 Cross-District Choice 5%, (5,782) Vo-Tech 5% (7,079) Non-Choice 72% (94,933) Public Charter 8% (10,438) In-District Choice 10% (13,282) Are there limitations to the program? What are they? Capacity: A school is considered at capacity when it has enrolled at least 85 percent of its total capacity, and is no longer required to accept students through the school choice program. Students put on waiting lists due to a lack of capacity are not guaranteed acceptance. Transportation: Parents who opt into a school choice program must provide their own transportation, either to the school or to a bus stop on that school s route. This creates limitations for students in rural areas and for some urban students. Application Requirements: Choice programs require students and families to opt-in by completing an application. Vo-tech and magnet schools have specific application requirements (such as test scores, auditions, or art portfolios) that may prevent some students from being eligible to attend. Some public charter schools have similar supplementary materials that must be submitted as part of the application process. Parent Information: Despite efforts by districts and schools to reach parents with information about school choice, navigating the process takes effort and knowledge. Parents with limited knowledge of the program may have difficulty navigating the system and getting their children enrolled in a choice school. Conclusion Families have several options if they opt to take advantage of the school choice program, as approximately 28 percent of Delaware students do. Options include district schools, public charter schools, magnets, and votech schools. While the program does offer options to many students, there are also several limitations. 1 Note: Non-Choice refers to students attending their feeder pattern school. Choice to magnet schools is included as either within-district choice or cross-district choice. Source: Delaware Department of Education, Across and Within District Choice Report ( ).

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4 Magnet Schools (All located in Red Clay School District) Calloway School of the Arts Conrad Schools of Science Lewis Dual Language Elementary* District-Approved Public Charter Schools (All located in Red Clay) Charter School of Wilmington Delaware College Preparatory Academy Delaware Military Academy ASPIRA Academy Delaware Academy of Public Safety EastSide Charter Family Foundations Gateway Charter Kuumba Academy MOT Charter Moyer Academic Institute Newark Charter Odyssey Charter Prestige Academy Reach Academy Thomas Edison Charter La Academia Antonia Alonso First State Montessori Charter Design Lab Charter** Delaware MET** Freire Charter** Great Oaks Charter** Delaware STEM Academy*** Mapleton Charter at Whitehall*** Magnet Schools District-Approved Public Charter Schools Providence Creek Academy of Dover Campus Community Positive Outcomes Early College High First State Military Academy** Polytech High Magnet Schools Southern Delaware School of the Arts District-Approved Public Charter Schools Sussex Academy Sussex Technical Delcastle High Hodgson High Howard High St. Georges High *Unlike the other magnet schools in the state, Lewis also has a natural feeder pattern. **Opening in 2015 ***Opening in

5 Brandywine (16 schools) Red Clay (27 schools) Colonial (16 schools) Christina (30 schools) Appoquinimink (14 schools) Magnet School Public Charter School Vo-Tech School Smyrna (9 schools) Capital (12 schools) Caesar Rodney (13 schools) Lake Forest (7 schools) Milford (7 schools) Cape Henlopen (8 schools) Woodbridge (3 schools) Seaford (6 schools) Laurel (5 schools) Delmar (2 schools) Indian River (15 schools) Note: Schools counted include only those with online profiles. Map does not include the seven new public charter schools that have been approved and are anticipated to open during the school years: Delaware Design-Lab High School, First State Military Academy, Delaware MET, Freire Charter School, Delaware STEM Academy, Great Oaks Charter Schools and the Mapleton Charter School at Whitehall.