Baltimore City Public School System
Office of Student Placement
What address documentation is required for registering my child for school?
Proof of address in Baltimore City must include at least two of the following: gas, electric water, or telephone bill; rent receipt; bank statement; or verified least agreement. The documentation must have the parent or legal guardian’s name imprinted. The parent or legal guardian must present this documentation to the zone school.
I am currently living with a friend/relative and do not have any address documentation in my name. How do I register my child for school?
Parents or legal guardians with children living with relatives or friends would enroll the children in the zone school and present an Address Certification Form (available at the zone school). The parent/legal guardian must present the notarized “Address Certification Form” to the school along with the required proof of address in the name of the resident as well as some independent documentation indicating the parent’s or legal guardian’s residence with his or her name imprinted. Examples of independent documentation are indicated on the form.
I would like to request an out-of-zoned school transfer for my child. What is the procedure for processing this transfer request?
The parent/legal guardian may request a transfer to an out-of-zone school by completing a “Student Transfer Application.” This application is available at the student’s current or zone school and must be signed by the current school Principal. Student Transfer Application must be forwarded to the Office of Student Placement, located at 200 E. North Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21202 Rm. 106. The Office of Student Placement will notify the parent or legal guardian as well as the sending school in writing of the student’s school assignment. The student must remain at the current school until the parent or legal guardian receives written notification of the transfer decision.
If there is a discrepancy between a students age and grade placement, who is responsible for determining the students assigned grade?
School Administrators are responsible for student grade assignments. This decision must be based on all information presented and in the best interest of the student and fellow peers.
How are school assignments for students transitioning from facilities such as the Department of Juvenile Services, Hickey School, and Woodbourne determined?
The practice of the Baltimore City Public School System Transition team is to assign students to the most appropriate school as determined by the team. (Factors considered are history of suspensions, student/parent program interest, and travel time from home).
How is a moratorium assigned to a school?
Moratoriums are approved and assigned by the Chief Academic Officer in concert with the Area Officer. New enrollees must report to the Office of Student Placement (OSP) with the appropriate two proofs of residency (i.e., BGE bill, telephone bill, water bill, mortgage or lease) and the Maryland Transfer Record from the prior school.
Where can the policies and procedures governing student enrollment and transfers be accessed?
The Baltimore City Public School Systems policies and procedures governing enrollment and transfers are located on the districts website at http://www.baltimorecityschools.org/School_Board/Policies/Enrollment_Transfer.asp
What is special about small schools?
- Small schools are like small towns: everyone knows what’s going on & there is nowhere to hide. This is a good thing in a school.
- You are choosing a school with a theme or approach that interests you, where you will be able to explore that theme or approach more deeply.
Who can choose high schools?
Every 8th grade student can exercise choices. Baltimore City has long had citywide schools with entrance criteria. Now, Baltimore City also has citywide high schools without entrance criteria. Any student can apply to a Citywide School without Entrance Criteria. In addition, students living in the Lake Clifton, Northern, Southwestern and Walbrook zones can also choose from among a variety of schools from their neighborhood campus choice high schools.
How do I choose a high school?
Only you and your family can decide what is right for you. Read this guide to see what schools interest you. Next, speak with your guidance counselor to learn more and visit the school if you can. Many schools have open houses. Call the school to learn more information about a visit.
Where can I go to get more information about a school?
Who do I contact for more information about a specific high school?
Talk with your guidance counselor for general questions. If you have specific questions about a school’s theme or approach contact the school directly. You may also access the website to obtain additional information about a school at:
http://www.baltimorecityschools.org/School_Info/index.asp
Do I have to choose a high school?
Yes – especially if your only choice is your zone high school with no entrance criteria. The best reason to choose is that if you do not choose you will be assigned to a school by someone who does not know you and your interest.
How will I know which high schools I am eligible for?
In order to make the school admissions process easier and more meaningful BCPSS will calculate your eligibility/composite score for each school based on your achievement and attendance. This calculation can not be done until all the achievement and attendance data is determined (early December 2005). Any student interested in pursuing a citywide high school without entrance criteria or any student living in one of the campus zones that offer more than one neighborhood high school choice may apply through the application process outlined in this guide. Should the number of interested students applying for admission exceed the number of allotted seats students will be selected using a lottery (computerized random selection process).
What is a lottery?
The lottery is a computerized process by which students are randomly selected for schools. A lottery is only conducted should the number of interested students applying for admissions to a specific school exceeds the number of allotted seats.
What if I am not selected for a lottery school?
If a student is not selected from the computerized random selection process (recommended that this be the students first choice) then the student’s second choice will be considered for admissions.
NOTE: Students who do not place the lottery schools such as Coppin Academy and Digital Harbor as first choices on the high school application, will not be able to be included in the computerized random selection process considering the large number of students that select the school as a first choice.
Who conducts the lottery for schools?
The Office of Student Placement is responsible for conducting school lotteries. The lottery process entails representation from various departments (i.e., Office of Student Placement, Legal Department, Special Education, High School Area Office, Parent Representative, Principal of the School).
What is a composite score?
The composite score is generated for each student to determine eligibility for admissions to all high schools with entrance criteria.
What is used to calculate a composite score?
For 8th grade students, the fourth quarter grades for grade 7 and first quarter grades for grade 8 are used in addition first semester grade 8 attendance and norm reference achievement results within no older than one year.
What if I start high school and realize that the school I chose is not a good fit for me?
Please note that your school assignment is a one year commitment.
How will I get to my school?
Students that live further than 1 and ½ miles from the school they attend will receive transportation from the MTA. When selecting a school, consider the distance from your home and the length of travel time.
When is the High School Fair?
November 18, 2006 at Polytechnic High School, located at 1400 W. Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore, Maryland 21209.
What is the deadline for choosing?
Applications are due to your 8th grade guidance counselor - January 2007. |
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