Enrollment Criteria

Admissions and Program Continuation Criteria

These procedures and criteria apply to admissions to all incoming 9th & 10th grade students.

Age and Grade Criteria:

Students entering into grades 9 & 10 may apply for enrollment in Middletown High School’s Career & Technical Education Academies. Students residing in Middletown will be considered first when reviewing applications. All students must provide a copy of their most recent report card and attendance report. Any student who has more than 2 failing grades on the most recent report card will be waitlisted until the grades improve. Any student who is considered chronically tardy or absent will also be waitlisted until that designation is changed. 

Academic Enrollment Criteria:

All students interested in participating in a College and Career Pathway Program who did not meet or exceed the standard on a recent Rhode Island State Assessment or comparable standardized diagnostic assessment must be diagnostically assessed to determine their level of proficiency as it relates to established program criteria. Middletown High School may select an alternative diagnostic assessment to determine students’ mathematics and reading grade-level ability. Students who do not meet the established level of proficiency in Reading and Mathematics (as outlined below) on the state or comparable standardized diagnostic assessments and who do not take these diagnostic exams, may not be considered for admission to Middletown High School’s Pathway Programs. This assessment requirement does not apply to students who are enrolled in a Pathway Program at Middletown High School and who are interested in continuing a sequence of pathway courses in their home school.

All students, in order to be considered for general admission to a Middletown College & Career Pathway Program, must meet the established level of proficiency in Reading and Mathematics as follows:

• Reading Comprehension within two years of grade level – rising 9th Grade (Grade Level 6), rising 10th Grade (Grade Level 7).

• Mathematics within two years of grade level – rising 9th Grade (Grade Level 6), rising 10th Grade (Grade Level 7).

As an alternative, the sending school may provide documentation (i.e., transcripts, portfolio of work, alternate assessments) that demonstrates achievement at these levels of proficiency. 

For students with disabilities, either under IDEA or Section 504, a portfolio of their work in Mathematics and/or Language Arts may be submitted. For students who do not meet the established criteria under the general admissions process, an additional review may be undertaken of their portfolio materials and additional testing.

Specific Career & Technical Education Academy Admission Criteria:

In addition to the general admissions criteria previously noted, students interested a pursuing a Middletown Career & Technical Education Academy may need to meet specific program admissions criteria where indicated. Middletown High School will establish general admission guidelines for CTE Academies based on district guidelines and may develop and implement admissions policy/criteria for specific programs. Program admission criteria shall be formally adopted and made publicly available. Program admission criteria developed by the school will include the following: 1) criteria used in the selection process; 2) the application process and continuing enrollment conditions; and 3) a review and appeal process for any student denied admission to a career preparation program

Enrollment criteria shall not unfairly target students on the basis of color, gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, national origin, or disability. The enrollment policy shall be published in the student handbook. CTE Academy policies shall include a review and appeals process for students denied access to a preparation program due to admissions criteria or whose enrollment has been suspended and/or terminated. A copy of program policies shall be provided to each student and family upon enrollment in the career preparation program.

Notification of Right to Appeal

Every student who is qualified and accepted for admission into a Middletown High School Career & Technical Education Academy shall have access to such programs, enrollment permitting, and shall be provided free attendance by their local school committee, i.e., tuition and transportation, when appropriate.

If a student is not accepted for enrollment in the Middletown Career & Technical Education Academy the parent/student will receive a denial letter and be informed of the appeal process. The parent/student will also be informed about the procedures for reapplication, steps the student can take to increase the likelihood of later acceptance, and the appeal process.

Appeals Process

Any student denied placement in a Career & Technical Education Academy at Middletown High School shall have the right to appeal that decision. The parent/student may appeal the decision directly to the principal, then to the Superintendent, then to the Middletown School Committee with a right of further appeal to the Commissioner of Education. The Commissioner's hearing should be conducted and decision rendered within 15 days of receipt of the appeal. Nothing in this provision shall be construed to deny students with disabilities or their parents from availing themselves of Due Process rights under state special education regulations.

Removal from Programs

In programs that require safety standards (OSHA, etc.), students must consistently meet those expectations. In the event that a student fails to consistently meet safety standards, a retraining opportunity will be provided and documented. Subsequently, if a student continues to not meet safety standards, the Superintendent may remove the student from his/her CTE Academy program, with notification to the sending district, when appropriate. Students may also be removed from programs for not meeting continued enrollment criteria or for not following the Code of Conduct for Middletown High School and the policies of the Middletown Public Schools.