PARENT ACTION GUIDES What Are My School Choice Options?
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PARENT
ACTION GUIDES
What Are My
School Choice
Options?
TEXAS SCHOOL GUIDE: Empowering Families to Succeed in Public Education CHILDREN AT RISK 5What Are My School Choice Options?
What Are My School Choice Options?
What Is School Choice?
School choice is choosing a school for your child based on the qualities of the school and
your child’s needs, rather than on your home address. While school choice options vary from
School choice is choosing a
district to district, parents do have alternatives to traditional neighborhood schools. When school based on what
considering other public school options, parents may consider charter schools as well as
magnet schools and programs. To figure out which school is best for your child, you should the school has to offer –
research individual schools.
not on where you live.
What Are Neighborhood Schools?
A Neighborhood School is the school that a child is assigned to based on where their family lives. The
school district sets boundaries and attendance zones for all schools in the district and these boundaries
can change often. You should call your school or the district to confirm your neighborhood school before
enrolling.
What Are Charter Schools?
A Charter School is a public school that operates separately from local school districts. They are:
• Tuition-free and publicly funded by local, state, and federal dollars, and can receive private donations
• Open to any student within a specified region that wishes to apply
• Commonly required to use a lottery system to determine enrollment
Learn more about charter schools
• Entitled to greater flexibility than neighborhood schools (example: some charters may
in your area on PAGE 17!
have a longer school day or year)
What Are Magnet Schools/Programs (Programs and Schools of Choice)?
A Magnet School is a public school that is either run by a school district or a group of school districts.
These schools are called magnet schools because they attract students from other areas of the district.
In Fort Worth ISD, these schools and programs are called Programs and Schools of Choice. These
programs and schools offer:
• Curriculum that is aligned with a particular focus area (examples: Science Technology Engineering
Mathematics (STEM), performing arts, leadership, or certain career paths)
• A more intensive education in their focus area than traditional public schools
Some choice programs are located within neighborhood schools, while others are
“Schools of Choice” that have their own campus. In some cases, several programs Find your future Program or
are housed together on one campus. School of Choice in Fort Worth
ISD on PAGE 14!
What Are Private Schools?
A Private School is a school that is not supported by the government. Private schools receive their funding
from individuals or a private organization. They usually require students to pay tuition and complete an
application process that may include:
• Applications
• Admission tests
• Interviews
• Financial aid applications Private schools aren’t included in this
book, but you can learn more about
Private schools can have a religious affiliation or be independent. Although this guide them at www.GreatSchools.org.
does not profile private schools, they are one of the available options for parents.
6 TEXAS SCHOOL GUIDE: Empowering Families to Succeed in Public Education CHILDREN AT RISKWhat Are My School Choice Options?
THE TEXAS SCHOOL GUIDE PROCESS
A Four Step Guide to Finding the Right School for Your Child
Identify Your What school is
Neighborhood your child zoned
to based on your
School home address?
2
Research What is important
Your to you and your family?
1. School Quality
2. School 3. Other factors
Neighborhood Does your neighborhood Programs/Assets (transportation, etc.)
School school meet your needs?
3 Research
Your
Options
1. Getting involved
in your neighbor-
hood school
2. Programs and
Schools of Choice 3. Charter Schools 4. Transfer Options
4
Find the option that
Take Action works best for you
and your family and
take action!
STEP 1 Identify Your Neighborhood School Simply enter your address at
www.apps.schoolsitelocator.com/
To find your neighborhood school you can visit Fort Worth ISD’s website to ?districtcode=72947 to find your
use their SchoolSite Locator! Here is what you will need: Fort Worth ISD neighborhood school!
• Address
• City
• Zip code
Once you have found your neighborhood school, don’t forget to call them to confirm prior to enrollment!
STEP 2 Research Your Neighborhood School
Once you know what your child’s neighborhood Does the What is
neighborhood
school is, you still have to decide if it will meet his or school meet our important to
me and my
her needs. There are a few things you can do to find needs? family?
out if your neighborhood school is right for you. You
can look at:
1. School Quality
2. School Programs /Assets
3. Other things that might be important, like transportation options
School Quality
Visit your school’s profile page to see how it ranked in CHILDREN AT RISK’s 2014 Annual Public School
Rankings. Schools are ranked comparatively to other schools across the entire state and keep in mind that “A”, “B”
and “C” schools are all good options for student success! You can look up schools alphabetically on page . To learn
more about the School Rankings methodology visit page 104.
TEXAS SCHOOL GUIDE: Empowering Families to Succeed in Public Education CHILDREN AT RISK 7What Are My School Choice Options?
You can also look at the 2014-2015 Public Education Grant List on page 16 to see if the Texas Education
Agency rated your school as underperforming. In some cases, you can use a transfer
option based on a school’s PEG status. Don’t forget to check out your
school’s score on the “Growth
Finally, don’t forget to look for the different organizations that are working in your school. Index” to see if they’re improving!
This can indicate that the community is investing in innovative programming to help your
school!
School Programs / Assets
Academic achievement isn’t the only important thing about your child’s school. Your student might be really
interested in art, or maybe music. If your child is in high school, you probably want him or her to have access
to a college counselor.
CHILDREN AT RISK surveyed all of the schools in the district, as well as charter schools, to find out what
programs they offer. If a school offers the following programs, it will be included on their profile.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS MIDDLE SCHOOLS HIGH SCHOOLS
Art Classes Art Classes Art Classes You can also look to see if
Music Classes Music Classes Music Classes your school offers a program
Pre-K (Full Day) Before School Program AP, IB, College/Dual Credit or school of choice. Visit page
Pre-K (Half Day) After School Program College Counseling 13 to learn more about the
program!
Before School Program Sports/Athletics Sports/Athletics
After School Program
What else is important to you and your family?
What Is it transportation options? Transportation Department
else is What about school climate, or resources for (817) 815-7900
Open: Monday – Friday
important? students with special needs?
Whatever it is, you have the right to ask questions and
5:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
find the resources you need for your child.
Transportation Options in Fort Worth ISD
Transportation can be a very important factor in finding the right school. You may have a conflicting work
schedule or morning appointments that prevent you from driving your child to school yourself. Whatever the
case, knowing your options is the first step to solving your transportation issues.
In Fort Worth ISD, students are eligible to ride the bus if they live within district boundaries and:
• Live two or more miles away from their neighborhood school, or the program or school of choice if they
have been accepted, or
• Are a special education student between the ages of 3 and 21, who has disabilities that prevent them from
using regular transportation
Visit www.texasprojectfirst.org/FAQTransportation.html to learn more about what transportation
is available for students with special needs. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call the main
Transportation Department.
8 TEXAS SCHOOL GUIDE: Empowering Families to Succeed in Public Education CHILDREN AT RISKWhat Are My School Choice Options?
School Climate
One of the biggest concerns for many parents is their child’s school
climate. This includes the relationships between students and teachers, Research identifies four main
general school atmosphere, front office staff interactions, prevalence of
categories of school climate:
bullying on a campus, safety precautions, and many other things.
1. Safety
When you visit schools there are specific things you can look for that
may help you learn more about the climate.
2. Teaching and learning
• Office staff (school secretary, office manager, etc.) are friendly and 3. Interpersonal relationships
helpful to visitors and other parents 4. Institutional environment
• Office staff (school secretary, office manager, etc.) are friendly,
encouraging, consoling and other appropriate interactions with
students who might be in the office
• Teachers are assisting and interacting positively with students in the hallways
• Teachers are assisting and interacting positively in their natural classroom environments
• Students are friendly with one another
• The school has an aspirational environment, such as posters on the walls with sayings that encourage
students to “reach for the stars”, etc.
• There are safety precautions in place throughout the school, such as
automatic locks or gated entrances to the front office during the school Visit the National School Climate Center
at www.schoolclimate.org/
day
to learn more!
• There are safe and clear resources for students with emotional,
mental and physical disabilities, such as unobstructed ramps for
wheelchair access
You can also ask specific questions that help you learn more about the school climate. These can be asked
over the phone or during an in person tour.
• How does the school provide parents information on their child’s behavior?
• Are there regular ways to communicate positive feedback?
• If you contact the school, how long does it usually take to get a response?
• What is the school’s policy on bullying?
• Are there any official policies in place that require parents to be notified of instances of bullying in their
students classroom?
• What policies are in place to reduce or stop drugs from being shared on school grounds?
• How does the school promote social and emotional development?
• What resources and trainings are available to teachers and staff to help them learn how to promote
social and emotional student development?
• Are parents encouraged to have conversations with their teachers and school administrators if their
children are struggling in school?
• How does the school encourage emotional and physical development for students with special needs?
• Are parents given information about Special Education and 504 Assessments in a timely manner?
Resources for Students with Special Needs
Resources for students with special needs, including Autism and learning Dyslexia Services
disabilities such as Dyslexia, can be a critical part of your child’s school
100 N. University Drive SW-160
Fort Worth, TX 76107
experience. Fort Worth ISD has a Special Education Department that
Phone: (817) 814-2490
offers programming, information and services to families with students
who have special education needs. The Department provides support in
the delivery of all services as determined:
• By an Admission, Review, or Dismissal (ARD) Committee
• As stated in the Individual Education Plan (IEP) goals
TEXAS SCHOOL GUIDE: Empowering Families to Succeed in Public Education CHILDREN AT RISK 9What Are My School Choice Options?
In Fort Worth ISD, each school provides special education instructional support for students based on their
need. Instructional services can take two forms:
1. Direct to the student
2. Consultation services to the teacher
Visit Fort Worth ISD’s website to learn more about:
• All St.A.R.S. Program Fort Worth ISD Link to Special Education
• Behavior Intervention Class Services: http://www.fwisd.org/pages/FWISD/
• Inclusion Departments_Programs/
• Learning in Natural Communities and Teaching to Academic Potential Departments__L-Z_/Special_Education
• PACER Center
• Parent 2 Parent
• Parent Guide to ARD Meetings
• Partners Resource Network
• Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities
• Procedural Safeguards-Rights for Parents
• Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)
• Surrogate Parent Information
• Tarrant Cares
There are also many organizations and programs in the community that provide resources for parents who
have children with special needs, including:
ORGANIZATION LOCATION MISSION / PURPOSE PHONE WEBSITE
Provides day care, day habilitation (life skills training), arts
Achievement www.achievementcen-
Garland, TX exploration, educational assistance and community inclusion (972) 414-7700
Center of Texas teroftexas.org
for children and young adults with special needs.
Strengthens the independence of young adults with intellectu-
Association for al and developmental disabilities through life skills education,
Independent Dallas, TX (214) 351-0798 www.afildfw.org
vocational guidance, community integration and spiritual
Living growth in a supportive living environment.
Transforms the lives of those with communication disorders
Callier Center Dallas and by providing outstanding, leading-edge clinical services, Dallas: (214) 905-3000
for www.utdallas.edu/
Richardson conducting meaningful and innovative basic and applied
Communication calliercenter
(Texas) research into new treatments and technologies, and training Richardson: (972) 883-3630
Disorders the next generation of caring clinical providers.
Provides barrier-free outdoor experiences that promote
Camp Summit www.campsummittx.
Dallas, TX personal growth and foster independence for children (972) 484-8900 org
and adults with disabilities.
Supports students in discovering their abilities so that they
Chase’s Place Richardson, TX develop independence to their maximum potential, allowing (972) 243-2676 www.chasesplace.org
them to live life to the fullest.
Provides children with complex developmental and behavioral
Child Study Fort Worth, TX disabilities the highest quality diagnosis, treatment and (817) 336-8611 www.cscfw.org
Center education, helping them achieve their full potential.
Citizens Training center and employment placement organization for www.citizensdevelop-
Development Dallas, TX adults with intellectual, mental health and/or physical (214) 637-2911 mentcenter.org
Center disabilities (clients) living in Dallas and surrounding areas.
Community Provides programs and services to enable adults with
Homes for Dallas, TX Cognitive Disabilities to live full, rich lives in a safe environment (214) 373-8600 www.chaidallas.org
Adults, Inc. and to meaningfully participate in the community.
(CHAI)
A non-profit, non-denominational, early intervention & training
Dallas Center, Dallas, TX center for infants, children and adults with developmental (214) 328-4309 www.dallascenter.org
Inc. differences serving the greater Dallas metropolitan area.
10 TEXAS SCHOOL GUIDE: Empowering Families to Succeed in Public Education CHILDREN AT RISKWhat Are My School Choice Options?
ORGANIZATION LOCATION MISSION / PURPOSE PHONE WEBSITE
Committed to providing affordable, inclusive and unique pre-
Dallas Services www.dallasservices.
Dallas, TX school learning opportunities and low vision services to all indi- (214) 828-9900 org
viduals in our culturally and economically diverse community.
Grassroots movement to raise dyslexia awareness, empower www.
Decoding families to support their children, and inform policy-makers on
Texas Not Available decodingdyslexiatx.
Dyslexia Texas best practices to identify, remediate and support students with org
dyslexia in Texas schools.
Provides accurate and current information, resources, and
Down Syndrome Richardson, TX www.downsyndrom-
support for people with Down syndrome, their families and (214) 267-1374
Guild of Dallas edallas.org
the community.
Centers in: North Dallas: (972) 394-8900
North Dallas, Spreads help, hope & answers, creating opportunities that
Easter Seals South Dallas: (214) 372-3300 www.easterseals.com/
South Dallas, advance the independence of individuals with disabilities and
North Texas Fort Worth: (817) 332-7171 northtexas
Fort Worth, other special needs. Grapevine: (817) 424-9797
and Grapevine
Dallas, Offers a wide range of community-based services for
Fort Worth, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, North
Evergreen Life Sherman, designed to not only meet basic needs, but also teach life Central Texas: www.evergreenls.org
Services Texarkana,
skills and help each individual reach his or her own personal (972) 386-4834
and Longview potential.
(Texas)
Provides students with average to above-average intelligence,
diagnosed with various Learning Differences, Asperger’s www.
Great Lakes Plano, TX Syndrome, ADD or ADHD, a stimulating environment and 972-517-7498 x 103 greatlakesacademy.
Academy favorable atmosphere which affords each student com
opportunities to develop.
Provides students who learn differently and are of average
Fort Worth Fort Worth: (817) 923-9482
to above average intelligence a student-centered educational
Hill School and Grapevine www.hillschool.org
environment that focuses on intellectual development, while Grapevine: (817) 310-0876
(Texas) supporting social, emotional, and physical well-being.
Jo Kelly Special Provides for the needs and education of students with www.jokelly.fwisd.org/
Education Fort Worth, TX multiple disabilities and medical fragility that they may (817) 815-5900 pages/JoKelly
School develop to their fullest potential.
Lakes Regional Various Serves the communities of 15 counties in Northeast Texas (972) 524-4159 www.lrmhmrc.org
MHMR Locations with Mental Health, Mental Disability and Recovery Services.
Provides critically needed assistance to the intellectually
LifePath www.lifepathsystems.
McKinney, TX disabled, mental illness treatment and early childhood inter- (972) 562-0190
Systems org
vention for developmentally delayed infants and their families.
Dedicated to helping people with mental illness,
Metrocare www.metrocareser-
Dallas, TX developmental disabilities, and severe emotional problems (214) 743-1200
Services vices.org
live healthier lives.
Provides quality services to individuals with developmental
Metrocrest disabilities and other related disabilities by supporting them
Community Carrollton, TX (972) 323-1220 www.metrocrestcs.org
in day habilitation, vocational and community services of their
Services choice.
The first full day, full year continuing education program in
My Possibilities www.mypossibilities.
Plano, TX Collin County for disabled Texans who have “aged out” of (469) 241-9100 org
secondary education.
Notre Dame Educates students with intellectual disabilities and facilitates www.notredames-
Dallas, TX (214) 720-3911
School their integration into society. chool.org
Region 9 & 11:
Partners A non-profit agency that operates the Texas statewide (817) 988-7717
Resources Texas www.partnerstx.org
network of Parent Training and Information Centers. Region 10:
Network (214) 425-3056
Aims to provide the most effective, function-centered
Sage Care www.
Dallas, TX therapies to children, and promote the most therapist-friendly (214) 295-5374
Therapy sagecaretherapy.com
pediatric home health care company in the Dallas Metroplex.
TEXAS SCHOOL GUIDE: Empowering Families to Succeed in Public Education CHILDREN AT RISK 11What Are My School Choice Options?
ORGANIZATION LOCATION MISSION / PURPOSE PHONE LINK
The Arc of Collin, Dallas and
Advocates for and serves people with intellectual and Rockwall Counties:
The Arc developmental disabilities and their families, encompassing all
Texas (214) 634-9810 www.thearc.org
ages and all spectrums from autism, Down syndrome, Fragile X The Arc of Greater Tarrant
and various other developmental disabilities. County, Inc.: (817) 877-1474
The Shelton Serves students with learning differences, including dyslexia
Dallas, TX (972) 774-1772 www.shelton.org
School and related disorders.
Delivers high quality individualized home care rehabilitation
services to the children in Texas, including occupational,
THERAPY 2000 Dallas, TX physical, and speech therapy services to children (birth-21) (214) 467-9787 www.t2000.com
with special needs, including disabilities, developmental
delays and autism spectrum disorders.
STEP 3 Research Your Options
One of the most important things you can do when searching for a school is visiting! Here is a list of questions
to ask, as well as some key things to look for:
?
Questions to Ask When Visiting a School
• What is the school’s mission? The mission statement is usually a summary
statement of the school’s values and purpose.
• What is the school’s approach to safety and discipline?
• How does the school monitor student progress?
• What strategies do teachers use to teach students with limited English proficiency?
• What strategies do teachers use to help students catch up if they are performing below
grade level?
• What services are available to students with special needs or learning disabilities, such as Dyslexia?
• How do students get to school? Is bus transportation available?
• Are free or reduced-price meals offered?
• What extracurricular opportunities are available for students?
• How do fine arts fit into the curriculum?
• What rules and systems are most important in classrooms?
• Are there opportunities for parents to get involved?
• What is the typical class size? What is the maximum class size?
• If a child is excelling academically, are there advanced courses or enrichment programs?
• How is technology used to support teaching and learning?
• What are the school’s greatest accomplishments?
• What are the school’s greatest challenges?
• How do teachers communicate with parents?
• Are parent-teacher conferences scheduled regularly throughout the year?
• What is the student attrition rate? The student attrition rate represents the numbers of students dropping
out.
• What is the teacher attrition rate? The teacher attrition rate represents the number of teachers leaving the
school.
Things to Look For When Visiting a School
• Do teachers interact with their students in a positive manner?
• Do classrooms look cheerful?
• Are parents given open access to classrooms to observe and participate on a reasonable basis, including
those for children with special needs?
• Are the students well-behaved as they transition in the hallways and play outside?
12 TEXAS SCHOOL GUIDE: Empowering Families to Succeed in Public Education CHILDREN AT RISKWhat Are My School Choice Options?
• Do the school’s administrators interact positively with students, teachers, and parents?
• Are the classrooms, hallways, restrooms, and outside areas of the school clean and well maintained?
• Do you notice easy to access accommodations for students with physical disabilities?
• Are students adequately supervised by school personnel?
• Do students engage with each other in a positive way?
• Are the teachers keeping students engaged and thinking critically?
Once you have decided to research your school options, there are many different avenues you can explore. These
options are listed in further detail below.
Get involved in your neighborhood school
If you are not satisfied with your neighborhood school, you can start by simply getting involved in your school to
make the changes your student needs from within. For example, if you feel like your child’s neighborhood school
doesn’t provide an academically rigorous environment, start by asking questions.
As a parent at that school you have the right to find out why it is on the
Public Education Grant List, or why it scored a D or an F in the CHILDREN Find out how you can involved in
AT RISK Rankings. your child’s education by reading
the Parent Involvement Action
You can start by scheduling a meeting with a school administrator, or the Guide on page 19!
principal. If you don’t get the answers you need you can always reach out to
your School Board Representative. Find out more about how to do this in
the Parent Involvement Action Guide on page 19.
Programs and Schools of Choice
Fort Worth ISD offers programs and schools of choice for students who are interested in career-oriented or
specialized curriculum, as well as regular academic subjects. These are the three main categories of choice:
1. Programs of Choice
2. Schools of Choice
3. Gold Seal Programs of Choice
Programs of Choice are offered at middle and elementary schools across the District. They offer a variety of
learning experiences, including a focus on certain subjects, such as science, math, art, foreign language and
communication.
Fort Worth ISD Schools of Choice primarily serve students in a nontraditional setting, such as a Montessori
school. These schools are stand-alone school that can span elementary,
middle and high school grade levels. Look for the 2015-2016 Choices Catalog
Gold Seal Programs of Choice are available at every Fort Worth ISD high when it becomes available. You can
school and prepare high school students for work after graduation, as well usually find it online at: www.fwisd.org/
pages/FWISD/Departments_Programs/
as specialized coursework. The programs include, but are not limited to:
Departments__A-K_/Choices
• Licensures and certifications
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
Presentations made to 5th and 8th grade students about the programs and application process
END OF OCTOBER – Applications become available online and in schools
NOVEMBER The Choices Expo is held
Information sessions hosted at individual schools
Applications Due
Submit applications online or to the Advanced, Accelerated & Innovative Learning Department located in the Fort Worth ISD
DECEMBER administration building at 100 N. University Dr., Suite NE226, Fort Worth, TX 76107.
Do not submit applications to individual schools.
FEBRUARY Acceptance letters sent to students
Source: www.fwisd.org/pages/FWISD/Departments_Programs/Departments__ A-K_/Choices/Application___Selection (2013-2014 School Year)
TEXAS SCHOOL GUIDE: Empowering Families to Succeed in Public Education CHILDREN AT RISK 13What Are My School Choice Options?
• Dual college credit
• Internship opportunities
• Real world application experiences
Most programs only require the application, which can be submitted online or by paper. Some schools require
additional requirements. You can submit a paper application or apply online during the application period at:
www.fwisd.org/pages/FWISD/Departments_Programs/Departments__A-K_/Choices
Here are some important things to remember:
• Any student who is interested in a Program of Choice or School of Choice must submit an application, even
if the program or school is at the home school campus.
• Students may apply to up to three programs, ranked on the application in order of preference.
• Transportation is provided to Fort Worth ISD students if they choose a program or school that is not
available at their neighborhood school.
• Admission is based on a computer-generated random selection process.
Find out more about Fort Worth
Students will be given the following priority order during the selection process: ISD’s Programs and Schools of Choice
1. Students living in the school’s attendance zone online at: www.fwisd.org/pages/FWISD/
2. Siblings of resident students who are currently enrolled in the school’s Program of Choice Departments_Programs/
3. Children of resident District employees Departments__A-K_/Choices
4. Students living in the District but outside of the attendance zone
5. Children of non-resident District employees
6. Students living outside of the District
Below is a list of Schools and Programs of Choice in Fort Worth ISD. Please note that on the school profiles, the
CHILDREN AT RISK Letter Grade is associated with the entire school, not specifically the choice program.
SCHOOL GRADE AREA OF FOCUS REQUIRED PAGE
LEVEL ASSESSMENTS #
Alice Carlson Applied K - 05 Applied Learning and Enrichment Programs Application only 45
Learning Center
Amon Carter-Riverside 09 - 12 Eagle Scholars; Information Technology; Medicine Application only 96
High School
Applied Learning Academy 06 - 08 Applied Learning and Enrichment Programs Application only 80
Arlington Heights Creative Arts; College Credit; Agriculture & Horticulture;
09 - 12 Application only 96
High School Marketing
Burton Hill Elementary EE - 05 Spanish Immersion Application only 47
Como Elementary PK - 05 Music Application only 50
Como Montessori PK - 08 Montessori Application only 50,80
Daggett Montessori KG - 08 Montessori Application only 51,81
Diamond Hill-Jarvis Application, most
09 - 12 Building Trades & Design; Early College 96
High School recent report card, interview
Dunbar Middle School 06 - 08 Math, Science, and Communication Application only 81
Fire Science Technology; Law Enforcement & Legal Services;
Eastern Hills High School 09 - 12 Application only 97
Teacher Academy & Early Childhood
Green B. Trimble Culinary Arts; Health Science Technology; Application, most recent
09 - 12 97
Technical High School Retail Entrepreneurship; Welding & Metal Art report card, essay
Handley Middle School 06 - 08 Environmental Science and Technology Application only 83
J.P. Elder Middle School 06 - 08 Science and Art Application only 83
Leonard Middle School 06 - 08 International Baccalaureate Application only 84
Morningside Elementary PK - 05 Science, Math and Technology; Spanish Immersion Application only 62
Morningside Middle School 06 - 08 International Studies Application only 85
Culinary, Hospitality & Event Management;
North Side High School 09 - 12 Application only 98
Medical Professions
14 TEXAS SCHOOL GUIDE: Empowering Families to Succeed in Public Education CHILDREN AT RISKWhat Are My School Choice Options?
SCHOOL GRADE AREA OF FOCUS REQUIRED PAGE
LEVEL ASSESSMENTS #
Oscar Dean Wyatt Automotive & Construction; Nursing,
09 - 12 Application only 98
High School Medical Billing & Coding; Pharmacy Technician
Paul Laurence Dunbar Aviation Technology; Business Technology;
09 - 12 Application only 98
High School Engineering and Urban Development
Media Production & Communications; Culinary Arts;
Polytechnic High School 09 - 12 Application only 99
Engineering & Automation; Teaching & Learning
R.L. Paschal High School 09 - 12 Engineering; Graphic Design; Scholars Program Application only 99
Riverside Applied PK - 05 Applied Learning and Enrichment Programs Application only 65
Learning Center
South Hills High School 09 - 12 Culinary Arts; Digital Graphics & Gaming Application only 99
Southwest High School Broadcast Journalism & Media Technology; Fine Arts;
09 - 12 Application only 100
South-west Engineering Academy
Texas Academy of Application, most recent
09 - 09 Early College; Biomedical Sciences 100
Biomedical Sciences report card, interview
W.C. Stripling 06 - 08 Biomedical Sciences Preparatory Application only 88
Middle School
Wedgwood 6th/ Broadcast Journalism;
06 - 08 Application only 89
Wedgewood Pre-Engineering in Petroleum Technology
Western Hills High School Business Management; Audio/Video Production;
09 - 12 Application only 100
International Baccalaureate; STEM, Teaching and Learning
William James 06 - 08 College Readiness Application only 89
Middle School
Application, most recent
Young Men’s 06 - 08 Leadership report card, handwritten essay, 90
Leadership Academy teacher reccommendations
Application, most recent
Young Women’s 06 - 12 Math, Science, Technology; Leadership Skills report card, handwritten essay, 101
Leadership Academy teacher reccommendations
World Languages Institute 06 - 07 Intensive Language Study; Rigorous Academic Opportunities Not Available 15
Transfer Options in Fort Worth ISD
Although a student’s neighborhood school is determined by their home address,
in Fort Worth ISD students can apply for transfer requests to other schools that Do you have any questions
better match their needs or interests if they meet the requirements listed below. about transfer options?
All transfer requests are subject to availability and application deadlines. You Call: (817) 814-2311
should contact the district directly to learn about the most current deadlines.
It is also important to note that the transfer options listed in this section do not refer to the program and
schools of choice options, which are listed in a previous section. The two main ways to transfer from one
school to another school in Fort Worth ISD are:
1. Open Transfers: Initiated because of student/family needs
2. Public Education Grant (PEG) School Transfers: Initiated because of Remember, students who
the school’s performance transfer from one school
Open Transfers to another school do not
An open transfer needs to be submitted within the deadline established by become part of the new
Fort Worth ISD. All transfers in Fort Worth ISD are subject to approval and school’s feeder pattern.
space availability. Students who transfer from one school to another school
do not become part of the new school’s feeder pattern. This will impact
students when they are transitioning from elementary to middle school or middle school to high school
because students will return to their neighborhood school after 5th or 8th grade. The typical transfer window
for elementary and secondary school transfers is the first three weeks of March.
TEXAS SCHOOL GUIDE: Empowering Families to Succeed in Public Education CHILDREN AT RISK 15What Are My School Choice Options?
4. If transfer is accepted, the
Transfer 1. Student must be enrolled 2. Parent contacts
receiving school to receiving Principal signs the
in their home school before 3. Receiving Principal transfer form. The parent takes
Process submitting a transfer make transfer request accepts/denies the signed transfer form to the
and to determine if request transfer. home school for approval and
request.
space is available. withdrawal of the student.
Transfer 1. A sibling of a resident
student currently enrolled at
2. A child of a resident
3. A resident of the District,
but residing outside the 4. A nonresident student,
Priority the requested school.
District Employee attendance area of the
requested school
subject to tuition
1. Once the transfer is made outside 2. A transfer, once 3. A prekindergarten transfer
Transfer of a student’s attendance area, the
school to which the student is reas-
made, shall remain
in effect as long as
shall be granted for one
year only. A kindergarten
Guidelines signed shall become the student’s
secondary “home school.”
the student is in the
same school.
transfer shall remain in
effect through grade 5.
4. A student shall have the right at all 5. A student who transfers or is reassigned and desires to 6. Transfer may affect
times to return to his or her primary participate in athletics shall be subject to the regulation other student activities
“home school” upon application and listed in the District athletic handbook. A student-parent (including academic
notification to both principals. transfer agreement waiver shall be required in each honors).
instance.
Source: www.fwisd.org/pages/FWISD/Parents/School_Information/Transferring_Student
PEG Transfers
Your student is eligible to transfer if he or she is attending a Public Education Grant (PEG) designated school.
PEG schools are low-performing schools where:
• Students had passing rates on TAKS/STAAR that were less than or equal to 50% in any two of It is a state law
the preceding three years (2011, 2012 and 2013), or that students attending
PEG schools be given the
• The school was rated Academically Unacceptable in 2011, or Improvement Required in 2013 opportunity to transfer to
a non-PEG school.
Every year, the state provides a list of PEG-designated schools to districts, and districts must notify
the parents of students in these schools by February 1st. To locate a list of PEG designated schools Don’t be afraid to ask
and learn more about this program, visit the Texas Education Agency’s website at questions about
this option!
www.ritter.tea.state.tx.us/perfreport/peg_faq.html.
2014–2015 FORT WORTH ISD PEG SCHOOLS
AM Patel El Greenbriar El Meacham Middle T A Sims El
Atwood Mcdonald El Handley Middle Meadowbrook El Van Zandt-Guinn El
Christene C Moss El James Middle Meadowbrook Middle Versia Williams El
De Zavala El John T White El Monnig Middle Wedgwood 6th Grade
Dunbar HS Kirkpatrick El Morningside Middle West Handley El
Dunbar Middle Leonard Middle O D Wyatt HS Western Hills El
Eastern Hills El Maude I Logan El Oaklawn El Western Hills HS
Eastern Hill HS Maudrie Walton El Polytechnic HS Woodway El
Forest Oak Middle McLean Middle S S Dillow El
Glencrest 6th Grade McRae El Sunrise-McMillan El
16 TEXAS SCHOOL GUIDE: Empowering Families to Succeed in Public Education CHILDREN AT RISKWhat Are My School Choice Options?
Charter Schools in the Fort Worth Area
Charter schools can be good options for student success. Remember, these schools are not a part of Fort
Worth ISD, but they are still public schools. Most charter schools operate on a lottery system. This means
that the school uses a random selection process to pick its students. It might also be helpful to know:
• These schools require some kind of application
• Many applications can be submitted online, but the process depends on each school
• You should check with each school to see if they require additional information like supplemental
documents or an interview/audition
• If your child is on a charter school’s waiting list, it may help to follow up with the school to let the school
know that you are still interested if space becomes available
Charter schools must also adhere to the same Special Education and ADA law guidelines for children with
special education needs as traditional public schools. If you have any questions about this do not hesitate to
ask your school’s administrators.
We have included a short list of charter schools in the area to help you get started, but make sure to visit each
of the school’s websites to learn more about current deadlines and application procedures.
SCHOOL GRADE LEVEL APPLICATION ADMISSIONS MODEL PHONE WEBSITE
PERIOD NUMBER
Chapel Hill Academy January 20 - www.lenapopehome.org/
PK - 05 Open enrollment/lottery (817) 255-2500
February 27 chapel-hill-academy
East Fort Worth January 1 -
PK - 05 Open enrollment/lottery (817) 496-3003 www.efwma.org
Montessori Academy February 28
Opens the first Week of
Fort Worth Academy K - 12 January and typically Selective (817) 924-1482 www.fwafa.org
of Fine Arts runs 8 – 10 weeks
(817) 263-0700 www.hsafortworth.org
Harmony Science (Harmony Science
Academy Academy)
Harmony Schools Varies by campus Rolling until March 15th Open enrollment/lottery
(817) 386-5505 www.hsifortworth.org
Harmony School (Harmony School of
of Innovation Innovation)
Pinnacle Academy www.honorsacademy.org/
K - 08 Contact school Open enrollment/lottery (817) 735-8527
of Fine Arts pinnacle/
Uplift Varies by
Varies by campus Contact school Open enrollment/lottery www.uplifteducation.org
Education Schools campus
STEP 4 Take action!
There are so many options when it comes to school choice in Fort Worth
ISD, but only you know what is right for you and your family. Once you
have made a decision, whether that is a program or school of choice, a
charter school, or just getting involved in your neighborhood school –
be confident in that choice and act on it!
TEXAS SCHOOL GUIDE: Empowering Families to Succeed in Public Education CHILDREN AT RISK 17You can also read
