JC-P1 - School Attendance Areas - School of Choice

Student accommodation priority

The Division’s priority for admission of students to its schools will be extended in the following manner:

1. Resident students from within the school’s attendance area; (See also ID-P1)

2. Resident students from outside the school’s attendance area;

3. Non-resident students, in order of the date of initial receipt of the application at the school.

Revised June 25th, 2002

A – RESIDENT PUPILS

School attendance areas in the Prairie Spirit School Division are established to assist with planning and administration. (See Policy ID-P0) They are used as guidelines for channeling children through the school program.  While students are expected to attend their area, or designated school, parents wishing to enroll their child(ren) at a school other than the area or designated school, must submit the prescribed provincial form for Within Division Transfer to a School of Choice to the Principal of the receiving school by May 15th.  The form is available from any school or from the Division Office.  The Superintendent’s department, in conjunction with the Principal of the receiving school, will review each request and approve or reject it.

Procedure

1. Information about the schools and school programs is available at the schools or at the Division Office.

2. Parents must complete the prescribed provincial form by May 15th, and submit it as indicated.

3. Senior Administration will consider transportation and other special requirements.  They will review the application and notify the sending School Principal accordingly.  If deemed necessary, a meeting will be set up with the parents.

4. If transportation and other requirements are met, the receiving school will be consulted and a meeting with the parents and the School Principal may be initiated to discuss program and school compatibility.

5. The Principal of the receiving school will then advise the Division Office of its recommendation.

6. The Principal of the receiving school will inform the parents and the sending school no later than June 30th whether or not the student has been accepted.

7. The student will be residing with his/her parent(s) or court appointed legal guardian(s) within the boundaries of the Prairie Spirit School Division.

Criteria governing admission

The Principal, in consultation with the Superintendent’s department, reserves the right to refuse an application for any of the following reasons:

1. Space is not available;

2. Special equipment or facilities required by the student are not available;

3. Enrolling the student would be detrimental to the continuity of his or her education;

4. The program is not suited to the age, ability, or aptitude of the student;

5. Enrolling the student would be detrimental to order, discipline, and the well-being of the students in the school; or,

6. Proper notification is not provided by the student or parent.

B - NON-RESIDENT PUPILS

Applications from students who reside in another school division will be considered for approval.

Procedure

1. Applications are available at the schools and at the Division Office. Parents/guardians must make application, in writing, using the prescribed provincial form by May 15th.

2. Applications must be submitted to the Principal of the school of choice, for preliminary approval.  The criteria governing admission will be the same as for resident students, listed above.

3. The application shall then be forwarded to the Superintendent’s department, for review.

4. The Principal of the receiving school will notify the parents and the sending school no later than June 30th, whether or not the student has been accepted.

5. Applicants who miss the May 15th deadline may not be accepted, unless their home division agrees to pay the transfer fee.

C - Appeal process

If the application for admission of a student, resident or non-resident, is denied, the decision may be appealed in writing to the Board.  [PSA 41(5.1)] [PSA 58.1-58.4, 58.5, 58.9]  [M.R. 468/88 42(1), 42(2)]