December 2009
Open Enrollment Frequently Asked Questions
Is the parent/guardian's choice guaranteed?
No, there must be adequate openings at the requested school including enough
space reserved for students who may move into the attendance area during the
year. If the number of requests
exceeds the number of openings, selection will be made through a random,
unbiased process, which prohibits an evaluation of whether any student should be
enrolled based upon his or her academic performance.
Are special education students eligible to apply for an open enrollment
position?
Yes, if the instructional program offered at the requested school meets the
student's needs as prescribed in the I.E.P. and openings are available.
Special education students should indicate IEP status on the open
enrollment form.
May we change our minds if our open enrollment application is approved?
No, once approved, you become an official resident of the new school.
You may apply to return to your resident school during the next annual
open enrollment period or submit an intra-district transfer request form. The
transfer request must meet the district's intra-district transfer criteria.
These criteria are very restrictive.
They include family or student hardship due to transportation or child
care, special circumstances related to student's physical/emotional health or a
change in residence during the school year.
When will parents or guardians be notified of the status of their open
enrollment transfer request?
Schools will notify all middle and high school open enrollment applicants of
their status after February 28, 2010.
Schools will notify all elementary school open enrollment applicants
of their status after May 1, 2010 the close of the designated elementary open
enrollment period. Students who are
not selected through the random process to attend their school of choice will be
placed on a waiting list, in priority
order, and will be notified if further openings occur prior to the
opening of school.
If I have a current “intra-district transfer”, do I have to reapply each year?
No, as long as there are no changes, all intra-district transfers will remain in
effect through a student's exit grade except that middle or high school
intra-district transfers may be revoked for cause.
Intra-district transfer requests will not be processed until after the
open enrollment period ends based on space available for residential students.
Where do I attend middle school if I open enrolled to my current elementary
school?
All fifth grade students (and/or sixth grade students at Phillips or NVLA) who
are attending an elementary school other than their elementary school of
residence will automatically move to the middle school served by the
school of residence.
Students who wish to move with their class to the middle school not in
their attendance area, should submit an open enrollment application.
Where
do I attend high school if I open enrolled to my current middle school?
All eighth grade students who are attending a middle school other than the
middle school of residence
will automatically move to the middle school served by the
school of residence.
For example: if you open enrolled
to a middle school that feeds into Napa High, but you live in the Vintage area,
you are automatically assigned to attend Vintage High School.
How
does the student get to and from school, if the parent selects a school other
than the school determined by the residence of the parents?
The general policy of the district is to provide transportation for students who
live within the established attendance area of a school and in excess of the
defined walking distance from that school.
Parents/guardians are responsible for providing transportation to and
from a school of choice. If space
is available, they may ride a school bus.
Are high school students automatically eligible to participate in sports and
other activities governed by the
No, athletic eligibility is determined by the rules and regulations established
by the California Interscholastic Federation.
Questions about athletic eligibility should be submitted to the Athletic
Directors at the high schools.
Any additional questions should be directed to the high school
principals/designees.
Open Enrollment and Intra-District Transfer Policies 5116, 5116.1, 5116.2 and
5116.3 are available for review on the District website
www.nvusd.k12.ca.us or in the Office
of the Superintendent.
Rev. 11/18/09