Elementary Proximity Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Elementary Proximity Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
When does the Proximity Plan go into effect and which school levels are impacted?
The Proximity Plan is scheduled to go into effect for the 2023-24 school year for elementary schools only.
Student assignment changes for middle schools are being considered for the 2024-25 school year. There is no consideration for high school changes at this time.
Who is immediately impacted by the new Proximity Plan attendance zones?
The following elementary school student groups are immediately impacted:
- Incoming kindergarten students
- Elementary students new to the district
- Rising elementary students (1st-5th) living outside of their current school’s Proximity attendance zone and needing transportation
Will my child be provided an opportunity to remain (grandfathered) at their current school if it is outside of the new Proximity Plan attendance zones?
All rising elementary students are provided the option to continue to attend their current school. Transportation will not be provided unless the current school is within new Proximity boundaries.
Placement in the requested “Grandfather” school will occur after March 10. *Parent should not submit a new school choice application.
If my child is grandfathered, would their younger sibling/s be able to receive a sibling preplacement to the school?
Younger siblings will receive a sibling preplacement to the school with the grandfathered sibling. Transportation will not be provided unless the current school is within new Proximity boundaries. The preplacement will occur prior to the lottery. This will occur after March 10 when Elementary Open Enrollment closes.
How will open enrollment for elementary schools be implemented?
Open enrollment windows (grandfather, new Proximity zones) for elementary schools will run concurrently from February to March. Rising elementary students living outside of their current school’s Proximity zone will either select to stay and waive district transportation or enter their new Proximity attendance zone with associated choices. The Proximity lottery for all incoming kindergarten students, elementary students new to the district, rising elementary students (1st-5th) living outside of their current school’s Proximity attendance zone and needing transportation will run at the same time. Finalized dates for open enrollment are forthcoming.
What information on the student assignment plan is available online?
The proposed Proximity Plan map, School Board presentations, interactive web app, and implementation timeline are online on the Elementary School Proximity Plan web page.
How does the Elementary Proximity zone effect K-8 schools?
If the student is a rising 1st through 5th grader, or incoming Kindergarten and is out of the Elementary Proximity zone the younger sibling will be preplaced in the K-8 school with the older sibling. The preplacement will occur prior to the lottery.
If a student is a rising 6th grader in a K-8 school and does not want to switch schools then parents do not need to complete a Choice Application form. The student will stay at the school.
If a student is a rising 7th or 8th grader in a K-8 school then parents will follow the middle and high school zones.
Can my elementary child ride the bus with their middle school sibling to the same K-8 school even if the school is outside of my elementary proximity zone?
Yes, but only until the older sibling finishes 8th grade. Once the older sibling is out of the school, parents must provide their own transportation for the younger child.
If a student that lives out of Proximity and selects to Grandfather in, do they have the option to choose a daycare that is within the proximity zone?
The District is working to develop before and after school care available at each school site for the 23-24 school year. The option of using District transportation in the afternoon to a daycare may be an option if the daycare is within proximity and a route is available.
If a student attends a school in their proximity zone and resides within 2 miles of the current school and do not receive transportation, how will I get my child to and from the daycare they currently attend?
The District is working to develop before and after care at each school site for the 23-24 school year. The option of using District transportation to and from the daycare to the in proximity school site will be available if a bus route is available.
If my child has a waiver for the current school year is there anything I need to do?
YES - An elementary child that has any type of approved waiver for a school out of the proximity zone MUST submit the Elementary Proximity FORM for the 23-24 school year indicating the parent is waiving District transportation.
I submitted the Elementary Proximity form for my child to remain in the current school of enrollment (Grandfather form). Do I also need to submit the Choice application 2023?
Do not submit the Choice Application 2023 if you want your child to remain in the current school and waive District transportation.
Elementary Proximity form (grandfather form) if entered will determine the school of enrollment for 23-24.
What happens if I submitted the Elementary proximity form AND a school choice application for 23-24?
If the Elementary Proximity form is submitted it will be used to determine the school of enrollment for 23-24. The choice application will be deleted.
How do I know my Elementary Proximity form (grandfather form) was approved?
If you submit the Elementary Proximity form - it is approved.
Elementary Proximity form (grandfather form) if entered will determine the school of enrollment for 23-24.
Will my child that has an IEP need to change schools for 23-24 if I reside out of proximity?
Students that have an IEP and are in a self-contained classroom will remain in the current school of enrollment and will receive District transportation. If there is a sibling the sibling may also select to complete the Elementary Proximity form to remain in the current school- parent will need to transport.
I would like to select a school for my elementary child that is not in my proximity zone and not my current school of enrollment. What is the process for this to occur?
The opportunity to submit a waiver for a school that is not in the proximity zone and is not my current school of enrollment will be available after the lottery. Waiver will be reviewed for the true hardship AND seats available at the school. The District must keep seats available for students that may actually reside in the proximity zone.
What happens if my child is not enrolled in a proximity zone school and does not submit the elementary proximity form nor a choice application for 23-24?
The lottery system will place the student in a school for 23-24 that is in the new proximity zone.
When will I know the school my child will be attending for 23-24?
Open Enrollment closes on March 10, the lottery is scheduled to run on March 20. Parents will receive an email in early April indicating the school of enrollment for 23-24. Parents will also be able to see the school of enrollment for 23-24 in their FOCUS account.
Who do I contact if I have an additional question?
You may contact your child’s school administration, or you may submit your question to [email protected]