536: SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AREAS AND OPTIONAL STUDENT TRANSFERS

Adopted:    10/19/15              
REPLACED POLICY #6008
Revised:                                             

 
I.      PURPOSE 
     The purpose of this policy is to address the establishment of school attendance areas and the enrollment of students outside of their attendance area.

II.        GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY

School attendance areas within Centennial School District No. 12 boundaries determine the schools to which students are assigned.  Based on the school census, attendance reports, and projected enrollments, the Superintendent will recommend for School Board consideration changes in school attendance areas, when appropriate.  The district recognizes that class size is an important factor for each school and to the extent possible strives to maintain balance between the schools. To guide decisions on attendance boundaries and staffing considerations and to create class size consistency in each of our district’s schools, class size ratios will be established for each level.  The ratios established will be determined by considering the balance between best practice and financial resources.  

The following are the District-wide targets for classroom teacher to student ratios:

ELEMENTARY
Kindergarten: 19-23
1st Grade: 22-26
2nd Grade: 23-27
3rd Grade: 26-31
4th and 5th Grade: 28-33

MIDDLE SCHOOL (Grades 6-8)
32-35 class size/building average

HIGH SCHOOL (Grades 9-12)
36-37 class size/building average  

Parents/guardians may apply for the optional transfer of their child to another school in Centennial School District No. 12.  Decisions will be based on enrollment capacities in the program or grade level of the requested school. Mid-year optional transfers will only be considered when initiated and supported by the building principal.  At minimum, all optional transfers will extend to the end of the current school year.

III.     RESPONSIBILITY

A.    The Executive Director of Teaching and Learning will maintain information and Procedural Guidelines regarding optional transfers on the district website.

B.    Decisions regarding optional transfer requests will be made consistent Optional Transfer Procedural Guidelines.