Transitioning from Middle to High: A Parent’s Guide to High School Options in CMS

1. Transitioning from Middle to High: A Parent’s Guide to High School Options in CMS Presented by: Kelly Sanders – School Counselor Elisabeth Eklund – School Counselor Oaklawn Language Academy January 9, 2014

2. Important Dates! • Early January – 2014-2015 School Assignment Forms sent home via students • January 11 – School Options Fair • January 11 - Application Period for 1st School Options Lottery Begins • January 11 - Request for Reassignment/Transfer Begins (1st Round) • February 11 - Application Period for 1st School Options Lottery Ends • Early March - Notification Letters from 1st Lottery sent home via mail • March 21 – Request for Reassignment/Transfer Ends (1st Round) • March 6 – Application Period for 2nd School Options Lottery Begins • April/May – Registration for High School Classes • June 6 - Application Period for 2nd School Options Lottery Ends • Late June – Notification Letters from 2nd Lottery sent home via mail • June 23 – Request for Reassignment/Transfer Begins (2nd Round) • July 17 - Request for Reassignment/Transfer Ends (2nd Round)

3. OLA Rising Freshmen HS Options • Continue the Spanish Immersion Program – West/South Meck(determined by transportation zone) • Attend “Home” School (determined by student’s home address listed in the CMS database) • Apply for a “School Options” assignment via the School Options Lottery (formerly known as the Magnet Lottery) • Apply for a Reassignment/Transfer to desired school

4. Schools Options Fair • Saturday, Jan. 11, from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. • Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology (1430 Alleghany Street) • Previously known as the magnet fair • Will feature three program choices: • Magnet Schools • Career and Technical Education (CTE) • Cooperative Innovative High Schools • Representatives from each school and student assignment staff will be available at the fair to answer questions about instruction, transportation, the application process and enrollment • Families will also have the opportunity to register online for school options at the fair

5. CMS School Options 2014-2015 • CMS currently has 37 magnet schools and nine magnet programs, which include: • International Baccalaureate • Learning Immersion • Montessori • Traditional • STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) • World Languages • Visual and Performing Arts • Beginning in the 2014-15 school year, CMS will offer a full county-wide Health Science Magnet, an Early College Program and several other options for students. • A total of six new magnet programs, two new middle-college offerings and an added early college program have been added to the list of CMS options for the 2014-2015 school year.

6. High School Options • International Baccalaureate • Military & Global Leadership • STEM • Visual & Performing Arts • World Languages • Career and Technical Education (CTE) • Cooperative Innovative High Schools

7. Transportation Zones

8. World Languages Program Description At the high school level, language students follow an accelerated course of study that stresses grammar, writing, composition, literature, culture and international trade. Students will have the opportunity to take up to 8 elective courses in their target language during grades 9-12. The program serves as a continuation for world language immersion students and may be open to any student with a strong interest in foreign language study. **Entrance Requirements • Student must achieve at Level III or IV on Reading EOG • Student must have taken Level 1 of a World Language in Middle School School Options • West Mecklenburg (Grey & Violet Zones) • South Mecklenburg (Blue & Green Zones)

9. International Baccalaureate Program Description A rigorous academic program, designed to prepare students for college. Students are required to do community service every year and are expected to sit for international exams in grades 11 & 12. **Entrance Requirements • Student must achieve at Level III or IV on Math and Reading EOG • Student must be promoted to the next grade School Options • East Mecklenburg (Green Zone, ArdreyKell and South Meck boundaries) • Harding University (Harding and Olympic boundaries, County-wide) • Myers Park (Myers Park boundary) • North Mecklenburg (Violet Zone) • West Charlotte (Grey Zone)

10. Military and Global Leadership Program Description This is a rigorous, traditional, academic learning environment for students. There is a strong focus on character education, international studies and technology. Students are required to participate in JROTC at the high school level. This magnet program is an accelerated preparatory program for students who desire an academic challenge in a structured, military-focused environment; it is NOT a boot camp! **Entrance Requirements • A letter of interest and a placement interview are required of the student prior to participating in the lottery process. Contact the school for details (980- 343- 0006) • Student must be promoted and cannot have been retained at any time during middle school School Options • Marie G. Davis (County-wide)

11. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Program Description A student with an aptitude in these subject areas is a natural fit for the program. The program uses problem-based experiences in the math and science fields. This allows students to apply their knowledge and skills to solving real-world problems, including protection of the environment. **Entrance Requirements • Student must achieve at Level III or IV on Math and Science EOG School Options • Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology (County-wide) • STEM Academy of Engineering • STEM Academy of Information Technology • Biomedical STEM Academy

12. Visual & Performing Arts Program Description This program allows students to pursue their area of art interest combined with a rigorous academic program. Collaborations with Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, Charlotte Symphony, NC Dance Theatre, the Mint Museums and other local arts organizations. Entrance Requirements • Student must complete an audition application and successfully participate in a scheduled audition at Northwest. Please see the school’s website for details. School Options • Northwest School of the Arts (County-wide)

13. Cooperative Innovative High Schools Program Description Partnership programs with local postsecondary educational institutions to establish high school programs that offer accelerated learning opportunities to targeted students in order to complete an associate degree program or earn up to two years of college credit, in addition to completing high school graduation requirements. **Entrance Requirements • TBD School Options • Early College Engineering and Energy Focus - UNCC (County-wide via shuttle stops) • Hawthorne Academy of Health Sciences – CPCC (County-wide via shuttle stops) • Middle College – CPCC (11th/12th grade students only) CATS Transportation • Cato • Harper • Levine

14. Learning Approaches Program Description Programs that utilize innovative instruction to deliver curriculum in a unique learning environment to meet the specialized needs of students. **Entrance Requirements • TBD School Options • iMeck Academy @ Cochrane (Green zone)

15. CTE Career Clusters Program Description Programs that utilize innovative instruction to deliver curriculum in a unique learning environment to meet the specialized needs of students. Entrance Requirements • N/A School Options • Various HS in the district

16. Things to Remember! Address Change Voids Lottery Application Information regarding school assignments and reassignments/transfers will be sent via the mailing address listed in the CMS database. Please make sure that we have your correct address on file to avoid delays. If you need to make a change, please do so BEFORE you submit your Lottery Application. Submitting a change of address after completing the application will VOID the application and you will have to resubmit! Change in 2014-15 School Options Entrance Requirements Due to significant changes to North Carolina’s End of Year testing regulations, CMS is evaluating the current entrance requirements for School of Choice Options for the 2014-2015 school year. Entrance requirements for specific schools will be released shortly. You may contact the individual school for more information. Second Lottery Participation May Void First Lottery Selections Your best option is to apply to the first lottery deadline as many schools fill most spots in the first round. You may participate in the second lottery application process even if you participated in the first lottery; however, outcomes from participating in the second lottery override first lottery results. School Bell Schedules and Transportation Please note that many School of Choice Options have varying hours and transportation requirements. Please be sure to check each school’s website for school hours, as well as visit the CMS Transportation webpage to determine transportation eligibility for your student.

17. FAQ’s What is a “home” school? The school that your student is assigned to based on your home address that is listed in the CMS system. What if my home address is not listed correctly? You will need to contact Ms. Rodriguez, registrar, to update your address. You will be required to provide the residency verification forms. You must update your address before you complete the Lottery Application. Is it important that my address be listed correctly? Yes! If your address is incorrect this will affect your student’s “home” school assignment as well as transportation. It may also delay notifications sent home regarding school placement for the 2014-2015 school year. How can I check to make sure my address is listed properly? You may call Ms. Rodriguez or Ms. Eklund and they can verify the address that is currently listed in the system.

18. FAQ’s What will I need to apply for the lottery? You will need your students PIN number and school ID number. These will be provided for your on the lottery application letter sent home with your student in early January. Where do you apply for the lottery? On the CMS website beginning January 11th. When will I be notified of the lottery outcome? Notification letters for the 1st lottery round will be sent via mail in early March to the address that CMS has on file. What are my options if I don’t like the outcome of the first lottery? You may apply for the second lottery process. This will cancel the results from your first lottery application. Please be advised that if your student is placed on a school’s “wait-list” after the first round of lottery results, entering the second lottery may void your child’s spot on the wait-list at that particular school. You may also apply for a Request for Reassignment/Transfer to a non-magnet, non-school options school.

19. FAQ’s What are my options if I don’t want my student to go to a magnet school, but I don’t want them to go to their home school. You may apply for a Request for Reassignment/Transfer to any non-magnet, non-school options school. However, please note that many schools are at capacity and requests are granted solely by Student Placement based on a variety of factors. What will the lottery application look like? The lottery application will look identical to the lottery application that you completed to gain entrance for your student to Oaklawn. There is only one school my student wants to attend. Should I enter alternatives on the lottery application just in case they do not get in? The lottery application allows you to enter up to 3 school choices. You do not need to enter 3 choices, however it is advised that you list at least one alternative that your student would like to attend. Please make sure you select your child’s top choice as #1 and any alternatives as #2 or #3. *Why does my student’s placement letter say they will be attending West/South Meck next year when it is not their home school? How can I change that?

20. Who Can I Contact for More Info? • Attend the Options Fair on January 11th at Philip O. Berry. You will be able to talk to school representatives from each school. • Contact Ms. Eklund, Middle School Counselor, at: • (980)343-0400 • Elisabethk.eklund@cms.k12.nc.us • Contact Julie Coffey, Coordinator of Magnet Schools, at: • (980)343-5030 • Juliea.coffey@cms.k12.nc.us • magnets@cms.k12.nc.us