1. SCHOOL CHOICE 2018 Public Information Meeting
presented October 23, 2018
Appoquinimink School District

2. Appoquinimink Schools
Our goal is to operate a world-class school system whose graduates have the knowledge and skills to successfully compete in any state or country.

3. Appoquinimink Schools
Who we are:
17 Schools in
11,402 Students
1,429 Full & PT staff
862 Teachers
64 Administrators
Since 1998, we have invested more than $300 million in our schools to make them among the best in the state and region
New schools are being built: Odessa High School and Cantwell’s Bridge Middle School

4. Appoquinimink Schools
How do we measure success?
Academic Achievement
College and Career Readiness
Meeting Diverse Student Needs
Fostering Parent/Community Partnerships

5. Appoquinimink Schools
Application Process
Grades 1-12
“Choice” Enrollment Begins: November 5, 2018 at 8:00 a.m.
“Choice” Enrollment Closes: January 9, 2019 at 11:59 p.m.
Hours of operation: 8AM – 4PM weekdays
Kindergarten
Registration events held at Alfred G. Waters Middle School:
November 19 & 20, 2018 from 9 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and 4 – 7:30 p.m.
December 4, 2018 from 4 – 7:30 p.m.
“Choice” Enrollment Ends: First day of School
Applications received after these deadlines will be considered for “good cause”

6. Appoquinimink Schools
How do I apply?
Step One:
Make sure your child is registered or pre-registered in a Delaware Public School. If you are entering school in Delaware for the first time, you must go to your assigned feeder school (in your home district and current grade to complete this process).
If your child attended preschool in one of the Delaware’s public school district, s/he has already been registered.
Step Two:
Complete a Choice Application. This is an online application process. If you are in need of a computer you may stop by the Appoquinimink School District’s Administrative Offices in Odessa. (Sorry, paper copies will not be accepted!)

7. Appoquinimink Schools
Application Process
Complete an online application
Required documents to upload:
Report card from previous year and current year
Attendance
Discipline history (a letter or copy of the eSchool Discipline report from the counselor or administrator)
Apply online at

8. Appoquinimink Schools
Priority Criteria (in order of importance)
Returning students who continue to meet the school requirements
Siblings of students already enrolled in the school and who will be returning to the school for the following academic year
Siblings of students living in the district will be given priority over siblings not living in the district
Children of employees
Students living within the Appoquinimink School District
Students residing outside the district

9. Appoquinimink Schools
Criteria for Denial of Request
School is over capacity
Students who have been suspended or expelled
Students who have been absent for more than 15 days

10. Near or At Capacity – Waitlist Expected
Appoquinimink Schools
Instructional Capacity
Capacity determined by the amount of instructional capacity and the projections for the upcoming school year
District will accept choice until 85% capacity is reached
Schools with possible vacancies
Near or At Capacity – Waitlist Expected
Bunker Hill Elementary
Cedar Lane Early Childhood
Brick Mill Elementary
Spring Meadow Early Childhood
Lorewood Grove Elementary
Townsend Early Childhood
Olive B. Loss Elementary

11. Appoquinimink Schools
Requirements of Enrollment
Once accepted, a student will be enrolled in the “choice” school until completion of that building’s grade level configuration (i.e. K, 1-5, 6-8, 9-12)
A student accepted for enrollment in a District school shall remain for a minimum of two years
A student who fails to meet the academic requirements of the “choice” school, fails to comply with attendance policy requirements, or violates the ASD Student Code of Conduct may not be permitted to return the next year

12. Appoquinimink Schools
Transportation
Bus transportation will be provided from an existing ASD bus stop serving that “choice” school and is dependent on bus seat capacity. If a bus is at capacity, an alternate bus and stop location will be assigned.
Parents/guardians are responsible for their child at the bus stop when school is dismissed early or if the opening of school is delayed.

13. Appoquinimink Schools
“Good Cause” is defined as:
A change in a child’s residence due to a change in family residence
A change in the state in which the family residence is located
A change in the marital status of the child’s parents
A change caused by a guardianship proceeding
Placement of a child in foster care
Adoption
Participation by a child in a foreign exchange program
Participation by a child in a substance abuse or mental health treatment program
Or a set of circumstances consistent with this definition of “good cause”

14. Appoquinimink Schools
Withdrawal / Termination of “Choice”
Enrollment in a “choice” school will automatically end upon completion of the last grade level contained in the “choice” school
A parent/guardian may apply to withdraw enrollment in the District at the end of a school year
Any student who fails to comply with the ASD attendance policy requirements
Any student who fails to meet the academic requirements of the “choice” school
Any student who engages in behavior that results in a recommendation for expulsion, placement in an alternative educational setting, or one or more serious violations of the District’s Student Code of Conduct

15. Appoquinimink Schools
Timeline Reminder
November 5, 2018: Application process begins
January 9, 2019: School choice closes for Grades 1-12 at 11:59 p.m.
February 11, 2019: The Board shall take action to approve or disapprove an application.
By February 28, 2019: the district shall notify the parent/guardian as well as the district of residence of the decision.
Must accept or reject Choice Invitation by March 15, 2019
First Day of School : School choice closes for Kindergarten applications

16. Time for your Questions
Appoquinimink Schools
Time for your Questions