ADMISSION and ENROLLMENT POLICY

Transcription

1 ADMISSION and ENROLLMENT POLICY 1. Overview of the Admission and Enrollment Policy 2. Non-Discrimination 3. Dissemination of School Information 4. Enrollment Commitment/Parent Partnership Expectations 5. Admission Process 6. Admission Preferences 7. Middle School Transition 8. High School Transition 9. Annual Family Recommitment 10. Maintenance of Waiting Lists 11. School Transfers 12. Admission of Students with Special Needs 13. Authority of Board to Adjust Enrollment As Needed 1. Overview of the Admission and Enrollment Policy The purpose of the Admission and Enrollment Policy is to provide an organized method for determining who is able to enroll in the Rocklin Academy Family of Schools, in a manner compliant with the law. The Rocklin Academy Family of Schools consists of Rocklin Academy Turnstone, Rocklin Academy Meyers, Rocklin Academy Gateway, and Western Sierra Collegiate Academy, hereinafter referred to as Meyers, Turnstone, Gateway and Western Sierra, respectively. The Admission and Enrollment Policy provides the vehicle to ensure that families have an opportunity to learn about the mission/vision of the Rocklin Academy Family of Schools and the educational programs offered. This policy contains rules regarding the admission process including the public lottery, admission preferences, enrollment commitment/parent partnership expectations, and the rules applying to continuing students and waiting lists. At the discretion of the Rocklin Academy Family of Schools Administration, exceptions and modifications to this policy are possible on a case-by-case basis, as allowed by law. 2. Non-Discrimination The Rocklin Academy Family of Schools does not exclude from participation in, deny the benefits of, or subject to discrimination under, any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance, on the basis of gender (including gender identity and gender expression). Additionally, the Rocklin Academy Family of Schools will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, sexual orientation, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. 3. Dissemination of School Information To ensure that interested families have an opportunity to learn about the Rocklin Academy Family of Schools, information about the educational programs offered, parent partnership expectations and the admission process will be widely disseminated.

2 4. Enrollment Commitment/Parent Partnership Expectations Attendance at a school information meeting ensures that families are fully aware of the educational programs offered by the Rocklin Academy Family of Schools, including strengths and limitations, as well as parent partnership expectations. To ensure that families understand the mission/vision of the Rocklin Academy Family of Schools, the parent/guardian of a new student entering our schools is expected to: a. All new students entering Gateway, Meyers, Turnstone and Western Sierra 1. Actively participate in the parent/school partnership by reading the Parent/Student Handbook in its entirety and supporting the school s philosophy, goals and methodologies. Rocklin Academy Family of Schools views families as equal partners in the educational process. The parent/guardian is highly encouraged and requested to participate in the learning process at school and at home. 2. Every year, each family (student and parent/guardian) will enter into a contract with the school detailing the ongoing responsibilities and participation of each party. In addition, the student s parent/guardian will be encouraged to contribute a minimum number of volunteer hours in support of the student(s) and the school. Parent/guardian participation and interest are widely recognized as critical factors in the educational success of all students. To view the Volunteer Policy, see the Parents Tab on our website. b. All new students entering Gateway, Meyers and Turnstone 1. Attend a parent-only orientation. 2. Obtain and Read the Core Knowledge Series, "What Your (grade level) Grader Needs to Know by E. D. Hirsch, Jr. The Rocklin Academy Family of Schools uses the Core Knowledge curriculum in grades K-8. The parent/guardian must participate in the learning process for our curriculum to be successful, and these Core Knowledge books allow the learning to continue at home. 3. Attend school activities as a stakeholder in your child s education. These activities include: Meet the Teacher, Back to School Night, Parent/Teacher Conferences and Open House. c. All new students entering Western Sierra 1. Participate in fall orientation. For orientation dates, visit the Western Sierra website in July at wscacademy.org. 5. Admission Process The Rocklin Academy Family of Schools offers educational programs at: School Grades Gateway Transitional Kindergarten (TK) through Grade 8 Meyers Kindergarten through Grade 6 Turnstone Kindergarten through Grade 6 Western Sierra Grade 7 through Grade 12 Age Eligibility - Transitional Kindergarten (TK) To be eligible for TK, your child must be born between September 2, 2011 and December 2, 2011.

3 The TK program is offered at Gateway. TK is the first year of a two-year Kindergarten program that uses a modified Kindergarten curriculum that is age and developmentally appropriate. Gateway offers one morning and one afternoon TK class. The Rocklin Academy Family of Schools does not accept applications for (or admit) underage children. Age Eligibility - Kindergarten To be eligible for Kindergarten, your child must be born on/before September 1, Gateway, Meyers and Turnstone all offer an extended-day Kindergarten program. The Rocklin Academy Family of Schools does not accept applications for (or admit) underage children. Children Entering Kindergarten Who Have Already Completed Kindergarten If a child has been offered and accepted admission into Kindergarten, but has already attended a public school s Kindergarten program, the parent/guardian must obtain retention documentation from the child s current school to repeat one additional year of Kindergarten. If this documentation is not received by June 1st, admission will be forfeited and offered to the next applicant on the school s waiting list. Deferment of Enrollment Kindergarten Only If a child has been offered and accepted admission into Kindergarten, and the parent/guardian feels that the child is not yet ready for school, the parent/guardian may request a one-time, one-year deferral. The deferral request must be made in writing to the school s Principal by June 1st and include all reasons supporting the determination that the child is not ready. The Principal will then review the request to approve or decline. The parent/guardian will be notified of the decision. Admission of any child with an approved Kindergarten deferral is on a space-available basis; admission will be offered after any applicants with a confirmed admission preference. Age Eligibility - First Grade To be eligible for first grade, your child must be born by September 1, See rules regarding out-of-state and private school considerations. The Rocklin Academy Family of Schools only accepts applications for grades based on the child s legal age. Out of State Considerations A child who was legally enrolled in an out-of-state Kindergarten program for one school year (using that state s requirements), but who does not meet California age-eligibility requirements for first grade may, with parent/guardian consent, be enrolled in first grade. Placement in first grade is based on the school s waiting list, on a space-available basis. If placement of the out-of-state child (who does not meet the California age eligibility requirements) occurs, a statement, signed by the principal and parent/guardian, will be placed in the student s official school records.

4 Private School Considerations Private schools are not required to comply with the California statutes defining Kindergarten. Public schools do not automatically admit these students, who have attended private Kindergarten, to first grade. A child, who is under-age for Kindergarten (who was born after September 1) and who attended a California private school Kindergarten for one school year, is viewed by California Department of Education (CDE) as not being legally enrolled in Kindergarten. In this case, the parent/guardian must enroll their child in a public school s Kindergarten program (the grade they are age-eligible to attend), and if enrolled, the child will be assessed once the school year has begun. This child may (but is not required) be immediately promoted to first grade if the child meets the State Board of Education s criteria. Placement of these five (5) year olds in first grade is on a space-available basis. a. The child must be at least five (5) years of age; b. The child has attended a public school Kindergarten for a long enough period of time to enable school personnel to evaluate the child s ability. The child is in the upper five (5) percent of the child s age group in terms of general mental ability; c. The physical development and social maturity of the child are consistent with the child s advanced mental ability; and d. The parent/guardian has filed a written statement with the district that approves placement in first grade. A statement, signed by the principal and parent/guardian shall be placed in the student s official school records for these five (5) year olds who have been advanced to first grade. New Family Information Meetings The Rocklin Academy Family of Schools will hold new family information meetings during the months of January and February. The meetings are designed to give interested families an opportunity to learn more about the programs offered by the Rocklin Academy Family of Schools. The meeting dates, time and location are listed on the Admission and Enrollment Details Page attached to this policy. School Availability Due to capacity limits, it is possible that not all grades will have openings. Any vacancies will be filled based on each school s waiting list. School Application Period Each year, Rocklin Academy Family of Schools will accept applications, during a publicly-advertised application period, for inclusion in the school s lottery. Any application must be submitted by the lottery deadline to be included in the school s lottery. If an application is submitted after the deadline, the applicant will be placed on the school s waiting list based on the application submission date/time, after those applicants who were ranked in the school s lottery. The last day to submit an application to be added to the school s waiting list is October 31, How to Apply Parents must set up a family account in SchoolMint with a username and password. Once the account has been set up, the parent/guardian will be able to complete and submit an application(s). Using the online application process, the parent/guardian can complete one application per child with the ability to select multiple schools.

5 Once the application has been submitted, it is crucial to maintain up-to-date contact information in the event an opening occurs. It is parent/legal guardian s responsibility to update contact information through their SchoolMint family account. The application period is listed on the Admission and Enrollment Details Page attached to this policy. School Lottery At the end of the lottery application period, each school will conduct a lottery, which will rank all applications, by grade level, that were submitted during the lottery application period. In the event multiple births (twins, triplets, etc.) are in the lottery, each child will receive the same ranking, thus placing them next to one another on the school s waiting list. Due to capacity limits, one child receiving an admission offer does not guarantee the second child admission at the same time. At the end of the lottery application period, all applications will be verified for legal birth certificate and proof of residency (if applicable). The school's lottery date/time will be posted to the website once all applications have been verified. School Admission Offers In April, admission offers will be made to applicants on the school s waiting list to fill any available openings in the following order: 1. Applicants on the waiting list, who were not offered admission, who rolled forward to the waiting list (not all grades rolled forward); 2. Applicants who submitted applications during the posted application period and were ranked in the lottery; and 3. Applicants who submitted applications after the lottery application deadline, but before October 31, Applicants with a confirmed admission preference will receive admission offers first, followed by all other applicants, based on the order of each school s waiting list as outlined above. If an opening occurs, the parent/guardian will be contacted through their preferred contact method in SchoolMint. Once this contact has been made, the parent/guardian must accept or reject the admission offer within 24 hours (or one business day) by logging in to their family account. If notification is made on a Friday, the parent/guardian has until 8:00 a.m. the following Monday to accept or reject the offer. If the parent/guardian does not accept the admission offer by the 24-hour deadline, or rejects the offer, the applicant will be removed from the offering school s waiting list. Admission will then be offered to the next applicant on the school s waiting list. Admission can be offered at any time before or during the school year. Timing of admission offers is up to the school s principal. Once the parent/guardian accepts an admission offer, the applicant will be removed from all other school waiting lists. See Sections 6 and 10 of this policy for details about Admission Preferences and Waiting Lists.

6 Mandatory Parent Orientation for New Students Entering Gateway, Meyers and Turnstone Any parent/guardian of a new student entering Gateway, Meyers Turnstone is expected to attend an orientation. The parent orientation is designed so new families understand the educational programs offered by the Rocklin Academy Family of Schools and also to ensure the school is the right fit for their child. We ask that at least one parent/guardian attend. The date, time and location of this parent orientation will be included in the new student registration packet. 6. Admission Preferences Applicants with a confirmed admission preference will be offered admission first for any openings. Admission preference does not guarantee immediate placement at our schools. Order of Admission Preferences a. Attending students returning from the previous year (must be in good standing); b. Continuing Meyers or Turnstone Grade 6 students entering Grade 7 at Western Sierra; c. Continuing Gateway Grade 8 students entering Grade 9 at Western Sierra; d. Children of Rocklin Academy Family of Schools full-time employees Applications may be submitted for any of the Rocklin Academy Family of Schools; or Children of Rocklin Academy Family of Schools part-time employees who hold a position that requires a credential. At this time, applications may be submitted for Turnstone and Meyers only; e. Siblings a. Siblings of an attending student will be given preference on the waiting list at the attending student s school. For grades not offered at the attending student s school, see Table A. i. Siblings of an attending student will be given preference once the sibling s application has been submitted and verified. ii. The attending student must remain enrolled to receive sibling preference on the school s waiting list. Sibling preference will be forfeited if the attending student leaves the school for any reason, other than graduation from the highest grade offered at their school. If this occurs, the applying sibling will be removed from the school s waiting list. b. Siblings of a newly-admitted student will be given preference on the waiting list at the newly-admitted student s school. For grades not offered at the newly-admitted student s school, see Table A. i. A newly-admitted student is someone who has received/accepted an admission offer and starts school at the beginning of the school year, or after the school year has started. ii. Siblings of a newly-admitted student will be given preference once the newlyadmitted student s registration packet has been completed and verified. iii. The newly-admitted student must remain enrolled to receive sibling preference on the school s waiting list. Sibling preference will be forfeited if the newlyadmitted student does not start school or leaves the school for any reason, other than graduation from the highest grade offered at their school. If this occurs, the applying sibling will be removed from the school s waiting list.

7 TABLE A SIBLING PREFERENCE Attending or New Student s School Schools Where Sibling Preference Applies Gateway (TK-8) Gateway (TK-8), Western Sierra (9-12) Meyers (K-6) Turnstone (K-6) Western Sierra (7-12) Meyers (K-6), Western Sierra (7-12), Gateway (TK-first year only; return to sibling s campus for K-year two) Turnstone (K-6), Western Sierra (7-12), Gateway (TK-first year only; return to sibling s campus for K-year two) Western Sierra (7-12), Gateway (TK-6), Meyers (K-6), Turnstone (K-6) f. Sponsoring District Residents. Each charter school is sponsored by a school district; any applicant residing within the attendance boundaries of the school s sponsoring district will receive an admission preference. Residency is defined as where the child lives on a permanent basis. Proof of residency is required at time of application and again with the student s registration packet (if an offer is made. Proof provided must be recent (within 30 days) and show at least one parent/guardian s name and physical residence address (with whom the child resides). School Gateway (TK-8) Meyers (K-6) Turnstone (K-6) Western Sierra (7-12) Sponsoring School District Newcastle Elementary School District (NESD) Rocklin Unified School District (RUSD) Rocklin Unified School District (RUSD) Rocklin Unified School District (RUSD) h. Children of Rocklin Academy Board of Director members. 7. Middle School Transition Students Attending Meyers or Turnstone, who have completed Grade 6, will have the option to transition into middle school at Western Sierra for Grade 7. If the Meyers or Turnstone Grade 6 student wishes to continue at Western Sierra for Grade 7, the parent/guardian must indicate the student s intent on the Annual Family Recommitment Form (see Section 9) by the established deadline. This information is crucial to determine the number of openings for Grade 7 each year. Parents/guardians who choose Western Sierra for their student will receive a registration packet in April. To confirm the student s admission into Western Sierra, the completed registration packet must be submitted by the established deadline, or admission will be forfeited. If this occurs, admission will be offered to the next applicant on the school s waiting list. If the parent/guardian completes the registration packet for their student, but later determines that the student will attend another middle school, it is the parent/guardian s responsibility to notify the school immediately (before the new school year begins) so that admission can be offered to the next applicant on the school s waiting list. Students Attending Grade 6 at Gateway With Siblings Attending Western Sierra, who wish to transfer to Western Sierra for Grade 7, must submit an application during the application period. The attending Western Sierra student must remain enrolled for the Gateway Grade 6 student to receive sibling preference on the school s waiting list. Sibling preference will be forfeited if the

8 attending student leaves the school for any reason, other than graduation from the highest grade offered. If forfeited, the applying sibling will be removed from the Western Sierra Grade 7 waiting list. Parents/guardians who choose Western Sierra for their student will receive a registration packet in April. To confirm the student s admission into Western Sierra, the completed registration packet must be submitted by the established deadline, or admission will be forfeited. If this occurs, admission will be offered to the next applicant on the school s waiting list. Once the Western Sierra registration packet has been submitted and verified, the opening created at Gateway in Grade 7 will be filled from the school s waiting list. Students Attending Grade 6 at Gateway With NO SIBLINGS at Western Sierra, who have completed Grade 6, will continue at Gateway through Grade 8. If the Gateway student wishes to transfer to Western Sierra for Grade 7, the parent/guardian must submit an application during the lottery application period. The applicant will be treated as a new applicant (without any preference) and will be included in the school s lottery. Should the Gateway student receive an admission offer and accept, the parent/guardian will receive a registration packet from the school in April. To confirm the student s admission into Western Sierra, the completed registration packet must be submitted by the established deadline, or admission will be forfeited. If this occurs, admission will be offered to the next applicant on the school s waiting list. Once the Western Sierra registration packet has been submitted and verified, the opening created at Gateway in Grade 7 will be filled from the school s waiting list. 8. High School Transition Students attending Gateway, who have completed Grade 8, will have the option to transition into high school at Western Sierra for Grade 9. If the Gateway Grade 8 student wishes to continue at Western Sierra for Grade 9, the parent/guardian must indicate the student s intent on the Annual Family Recommitment Form (see Section 9) by the established deadline. This information is crucial to determine the number of vacancies for Grade 9 each year. Parents/guardians who choose Western Sierra for their student will receive a registration packet in April. To confirm the student s admission into Western Sierra, the completed registration packet must be submitted by the established deadline, or admission will be forfeited. If this occurs, admission will be offered to the next applicant on the school s waiting list. If the parent/guardian completes the registration packet for their student, but later determines that the student will attend another middle school, it is the parent/guardian s responsibility to notify the school immediately (before the new school year begins) so that admission can be offered to the next applicant on the school s waiting list. 9. Annual Family Recommitment Students attending the Rocklin Academy Family of Schools in grades TK through 11, who are in good standing according to the criteria for continued enrollment, are eligible to continue their education. To recommit for the next school year, the parent/guardian must submit the Annual Family Recommitment form by the established deadline. The parent/guardian will receive notification in early February, to complete/submit the required Annual Family Recommitment form. One form per family.

9 Failure to submit the Annual Family Recommitment form by the established deadline could forfeit your student(s) continued enrollment. See Sections 7 and 8 of this policy regarding the requirements for students attending Turnstone and Meyers Grade 6 and students attending Gateway Grade 8. The Annual Family Recommitment dates are listed on the Admission and Enrollment Details Page attached to this policy. Students Who are Leaving the Rocklin Academy Family of Schools If your student(s) is leaving (will not return) the Rocklin Academy Family of Schools, the Annual Family Recommitment form should indicate: 1. the student is not returning; 2. the student(s) next school of attendance; and 3. the reason the student(s) is leaving If the Annual Family Recommitment form indicates a student(s) will not return, admission will be offered to the next applicant on the school s waiting list to fill the vacancy. 10. Maintenance of Waiting Lists Each of the schools will maintain a separate waiting list. The school s waiting list allows applicants the opportunity to be admitted in the event an opening occurs before or during the school year. Applicants, who receive an admission offer but reject the offer, will be removed from the offering school s waiting list. Applicants who are on the school s current waiting list, who were not offered admission due to capacity limits, will roll forward to the next year s waiting list. The waiting list will roll forward in January each year. The order of applicants on the new school year s waiting list will be: 1. Applicants on the waiting list, who were not offered admission, and rolled forward to the waiting list (see below for grade exceptions); 2. Applicants who submitted applications during the lottery application period who were ranked in the lottery, and 3. Applicants who submitted applications after the lottery application deadline, but before October 31, Applicants with a confirmed admission preference will be offered admission first, followed by all other applicants in order of the school s waiting list. Once the application has been submitted, it is crucial to maintain up-to-date contact information in the event an opening occurs. It is parent/legal guardian s responsibility to update contact information through their SchoolMint family account. Waiting List Roll-Forward Exceptions All waiting list grades, except those indicated in the table below, will roll forward.

10 Waiting List Grade Exceptions to Waiting List Rollover Gateway TK Applicants on the Gateway TK waiting list will NOT rollover to the Gateway Kindergarten waiting list. Applicants must submit a Kindergarten application during the application period and be part of the lottery. Gateway 8 Applicants on the Gateway Grade 8 waiting list will NOT rollover to the Western Sierra Grade 9 waiting list. Applicants must submit a Grade 9 application during the application period and be part of the lottery. Meyers and Turnstone 6 Applicants on the Grade 6 Meyers and Turnstone waiting list will NOT rollover to the Gateway or Western Sierra Grade 7 waiting lists. Applicants must submit a Grade 7 Gateway or Western Sierra application during the school s application period and be part of in the lottery. 11. School Transfers At the discretion of the Rocklin Academy Family of Schools Administration, and if the circumstances merit consideration, transfers between schools are possible on a space-available basis. 12. Admission of Students with Special Needs No student will be denied admission to any of the Rocklin Academy Family of Schools based on a disability. Students who have been identified as having special needs will be processed according to the Special Education policies of the El Dorado County Charter SELPA. 13. Authority of Board to Adjust Enrollment as Needed The Rocklin Academy Family of Schools Board of Directors has the authority to adjust the enrollment numbers at each grade level based on the needs and the facility space available. If circumstances require a reduction of enrolled students, the Board will seek to make these reductions in the least disruptive manner possible.

11 ADMISSION AND ENROLLMENT DETAILS Annual Family Recommitment For Students Attending Grades TK through 11 Notification to Parent/Guardians February 3, 2016 Form Submission Deadline February 17, 2016 (11:59 p.m.) REQUIRED: One form per family Failure to submit this form by the deadline will forfeit your family s continued enrollment. See Section 9 of this policy. Family Information Meetings School Grade School Address Date Time Turnstone K Turnstone Way January 5, :30-8:00 p.m. Meyers K Meyers Street January 13, :30-8:00 p.m. Gateway TK Lone Tree Blvd. January 11, :30-8:00 p.m. Gateway Lone Tree Blvd. February 8, :30-8:00 p.m. Western Sierra Menlo Drive January 20, :30-8:00 p.m. Western Sierra Menlo Drive February 10, :30-8:00 p.m. Western Sierra Menlo Drive February 24, :30-8:00 p.m. See Section 5 of this policy. New Application Period for Lottery Lottery Application Period Begins Lottery Application Period Ends 8:00 a.m. on January 15, :59 p.m. on March 1, 2016 Parents will set up a family account in School Mint to complete/submit applications (one application per student). Required documents to be uploaded in School Mint at time of application include: Proof of applicant s age eligibility (legal birth certificate). Proof of residency for applicants residing within the attendance boundaries of the school s sponsoring district. Proof of residency, i.e., PG&E bill or other utility bill, must be recent (within 30 days) and contain the parent/guardian s name and physical residence address (with whom the child resides). Schools Sponsored by Rocklin Unified School District (RUSD) Rocklin Academy Meyers and Rocklin Academy Turnstone Western Sierra Collegiate Academy Schools Sponsored by Newcastle Elementary School District (NESD) Rocklin Academy Gateway Applicants residing OUTSIDE of the attendance boundaries of the school s sponsoring district are considered out of district residents. Proof of residency is NOT required. The last day to submit an application to be added to the waiting list is October 31, See Section 5 of this policy.

12 School Gateway Meyers Turnstone Western Sierra School Lottery Lottery Date and Time Lottery dates will be posted after all applications for the lottery have been processed. School Availability Due to capacity limits, that not all grades will have openings. Any opening will be filled based on the order of the school s waiting list. Admission Offers In April, admission will be offered to applicants on the school s waiting list to fill any available openings in the following order: 1. Applicants on the waiting list, who were not offered admission, who rolled forward to the waiting list; 2. Applicants who submitted applications during the posted application period and were ranked in the lottery; and 3. Applicants who submitted applications after the posted lottery application deadline, but before October 31, Applicants with a confirmed admission preference will receive admission offers first, followed by all other applicants. Parents/Guardians will log-in to SchoolMint to accept or reject an admission offer. All registration forms must be submitted by the established deadline or the admission offer will be forfeited and offered to the next applicant on the school s waiting list If parent/guardian accepts an admission offer, the applicant will be removed from all other school waiting lists. See Section 5 (Admission Process), Section 6 (Admission Preferences) and Section 10 (Maintenance of Waiting Lists) of this policy. Mandatory Parent Orientation for New Students Entering Gateway, Meyers and Turnstone Any parent/guardian of a new student entering Gateway Meyers or Turnstone is expected to attend an orientation. The orientation is designed so that new families understand the educational programs offered by the Rocklin Academy Family of Schools and also to ensure the school is the right fit for their child. We ask that at least one parent/guardian attend. Information regarding parent orientation will be included in the new student registration packet.

13 Teacher Assignments Gateway, Meyers and Turnstone Teacher assignments will be posted on the school s office window Gateway - Transitional Kindergarten (TK) 4:00 p.m. on the last day of June Gateway, Meyers and Turnstone Kindergarten through Grade 8 4:00 p.m. the first Friday in August Meet the Teacher Meet the Teacher will be held the Monday before school starts in August. More details will be included in the principal s summer letter. Fall Orientation Western Sierra (Grades 7-12) Fall orientation at Western Sierra will take place in August. A schedule of activities will be posted in July to the school s website.