choosing the right school for your...

Choosing The Right School For Your Student

Resources For The SchoolChoice Process

Why the SchoolChoice Guidebook?

The mission of the Office of Family and Community Engagement is to foster a school community that is educated, engaged, and empowered to share the responsibility of creating thriving schools where every child succeeds. We know that family and community involvement is critical to the suc-cess of every student and that students with engaged families are more likely to succeed academically. You are embarking on an important part of the journey to help your student succeed: choosing the right school. Through the SchoolChoice process, DPS encourages families to take an active role in identifying potential schools that best fit the needs of your child. Every child is different and it’s important to consider what environment will best nurture your child’s passion for learning and pre-pare her for college and career. This guidebook is designed as an additional tool to guide you through this important process. It takes all of us to reach our vision of Every Child Succeeds, and it takes all of us working together to help prepare our children to succeed in the 21st century world.

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The Office of Family and Community EngagementDenver Public Schools

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Resources For You

Choosing the right school for your student(s)

should be an exciting process. But we also

know the options and resources available can

be overwhelming.

This SchoolChoice Guidebook was created

to help you find a great school program for

your student(s).

This guidebook is organized in the following way:

Discover What You Want In A School

Visit Your Options

Research Your Options

Answering Your Questions!

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Complete The SchoolChoice Form And Submit5

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4

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STEP 1

Discover What You Want in a School

There are many questions that come to mind when thinking about selecting a new school including, “What do we want in a school? What’s the closest school to our house? What schools offer programs with special focus on arts or sciences? Does the school offer personalized learning?”

This section will help you uncover those priorities.

A school within walking distance of your home

A school that is safe and accessible for all kids

A school near where I work or a relative’s house

A school with challenging work in specific subjects/electives Which subjects/electives?__________________________________________________________

A school with skilled teachers in special education

A school with programs for English language learners

A school focused on bullying prevention

A school with technology to support classroom instructions

A school with opportunities for family involvement

A school leader who communicates well with families

A school that is safe and has discipline

A school with strong sports programs and extracurricular activities

A school with diverse faculty and staff

5 4 3 2 1

5 4 3 2 1

5 4 3 2 1

5 4 3 2 1

5 4 3 2 1

5 4 3 2 1

5 4 3 2 1

5 4 3 2 1

5 4 3 2 1

5 4 3 2 1

5 4 3 2 1

5 4 3 2 1

5 4 3 2 1

School Facility and Location: How important is…

School Teaching and Education Program: How important is…

School Leadership and Culture: How important is…

MOST IMPORTANT LESS IMPORTANT



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What are your hopes and dreams for your student?

Write down five things that are most important to you as a parent, family member or guardian, in selecting a school for your student:

Now, write down the five most important things to your student in selecting a school program (or have your student write them down):

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Great Schools Enrollment Guides

SchoolMatch

You’ve thought about your priorities in selecting a school. Now it’s time to find the perfect school program that fits your needs. Denver Public Schools has a number of resources available for you:

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Each fall, DPS publishes two guides to support the SchoolChoice process: one for elementary and ECE-8 schools and one for middle and high schools. These guides provide comprehensive information, including program offerings, performance, location and contact information: http://schoolchoice.dpsk12.org/resources/

SchoolMatch allows you to find a great school in three easy steps.

All you need to do is choose the school features that are important to you, review a list of schools that match, and print off your favorites. To learn more: http://schoolmatch.dpsk12.org

Research Your Options

STEP 2

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The School Performance Framework (SPF)

The School Performance Framework is a report card for your school, rating how well the school supports student growth and achievement and how well it serves students and families. The framework provides essential feedback for a school’s leaders, helping them to focus on its strengths and make progress in key areas where improvement is needed.

Each fall, your school receives a rating based on the previous year’s state test results. You can find this information here: http://spf.dpsk12.org/

NOTESQuestions to Ask

Here are a few important questions to ask about a school’s report card:

• What is the school’s current rating?

• How do the school’s test scores compare to those of other schools?

• In the past few years, has the school’s rating risen or declined?

• What do the achievement gaps at the school look like?

Distinguished (80-100%)

Meets Expectations (51-79%)

Accredited on Watch (40-50%)

Accredited on Priority Watch (34-39%)

Accredited on Probation (up to 33%)

Visiting a School

There are many opportunities to visit a school, including open houses scheduled by individual schools; expos at which multiple schools are available to answer questions; scheduled school tours; and ad-ditional opportunities. After researching schools in DPS, visit the schools that most interest you and your child. You may contact the school directly to meet the principal, take a tour or set up a classroom visit for your child. Every DPS school has a website and school profile which you can find at: http://www.dpsk12.org/schoollist/default.aspx

Now you’re there! You’re at the school and you’re ready to assess what you experience and decide if this school is right for you and your student.

Many families visit more than one school to evaluate their options. Use the observation tool below to help with this task. During each school visit, you will need to gather impor-tant information about the school program, including:

1. School Facilities & Location2. School Teaching & Education Program3. School Leadership & Culture

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STEP 3

Visit Your Options

School Visit #1 ____________________________________________________________________________________NAME

The school is located in a safe space for kidsThe school is accessible to kids with mobility limitationsThe school has a well-stocked library The school has science laboratories The school has spaces for physical activity including gym and sports fields

5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO

5 4 3 2 1 NO

The school offers challenging work in specific subjects of interest to my student. Please list subjects below: _____________________________________________________________________________________________The school has skilled teachers in special educationThe school has skilled teachers in English Language Acquisition (ELA)The school uses technology to support academic instructionsThe school has programs to prevent bullying The school offers tutoring and counseling programs

5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO

School Facility and Location Every school facility is a unique and exciting place. Families often look at the quality of facilities and location when selecting a school.

School Teaching & Education Program Quality teaching and academic programs are critical. They are the academic content and the ways teachers are equipped to help students succeed.

School Leadership & Culture Leadership and Culture are essential to a school. Most schools have a clear mission and vision carried out by school leadership.

NOT OBSERVEDSTRENGTH CONCERN

The school has a clear mission and vision The school leader communicates well with families The school offers sports programsThe school offers after school programs There are opportunities for family involvement The school has a fair discipline policyThe school culture reflects students, families and community diversity The school has diverse faculty and staff

5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO

5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO

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STEP 3 (CONTINUED)

School Visit #2 _________________________________________________________________NAME

SCHOOL FACILITY AND LOCATION Every school facility is a unique and exciting place. Families often look at the quality of facilities and location when selecting a school.


5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO

5 4 3 2 1 NO

The school offers challenging work in specific subjects of interest to my student. Please list subjects below: _____________________________________________________________________________________________The school has skilled teachers in special education The school has skilled teachers in English Language Acquisition (ELA)The school uses technology to support academic instructionsThe school has programs to prevent bullying The school offers tutoring and counseling programs

5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO






5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO

5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO


5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO

5 4 3 2 1 NO


5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO






5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO

5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO


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STEP 3 (CONTINUED)

School Visit #4 _________________________________________________________________NAME


5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO

5 4 3 2 1 NO


5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO






5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO

5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO


5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO

5 4 3 2 1 NO


5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO






5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO

5 4 3 2 1 NO5 4 3 2 1 NO


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OFFICE OF FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, FAMILY CONSTITUENCY SERVICES1860 Lincoln Street • 10th Floor • Denver, CO 80203720.423.3054Email: [email protected]://face.dpsk12.org/

We know you still have questions. Here are some of the great resources DPS offers to help you navigate the process:

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Answering All Your Questions!

STEP 4

CENTRAL ENROLLMENT CENTERButler Building - North High School Campus3131 Eliot Street • Denver, CO 80211720.423.3493Email: [email protected]://schoolchoice.dpsk12.org/

NORTHEAST ENROLLMENT CENTEREvie Dennis Campus4800 Telluride St • Building 5 •Room 144 • Denver, CO 80249720.423.3493

ECE AND KINDERGARTEN PROGRAMS AND CURRICULUM INFORMATION 1860 Lincoln Street • 9th Floor • Denver, CO 80203720.424.2639Email: [email protected]://earlyeducation.dpsk12.org/about-preschool-2/program-options/

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ACQUISITION 1860 Lincoln Street • 10th Floor • Denver, CO 80203ELA Hotline: 720.423.2040http://ela.dpsk12.org/

Once you’ve learned about schools that best fit the learning needs of your student, you’re ready to fill out the SchoolChoice form for the ____________________________________________________________ school year.

The form, on which you will rank your top five school preferences, will be available ____________________________________________________________The deadline to submit the form is _____________________________________

Remember, Denver residents in grades kindergarten through 12th grade are guaranteed a seat at their boundary school, or a school in their enrollment zone.

SchoolChoice forms are available and can be submitted at any DPS school, as well as the two DPS enrollment centers at 3131 Eliot St. (North High Campus) or the Evie Dennis Campus at 4800 Telluride St., Building 5. Printable forms can be found at: http://schoolchoice.dpsk12.org/

We strongly recommend that families submit their SchoolChoice form online, through their Parent Portal account. For support, contact [email protected] or 720.423.3163.

Once the SchoolChoice window is closed, DPS will match students to schools based on their ranked preferences, as well as available space and school admission priorities.

Learn about these priorities here: http://schoolchoice.dpsk12.org/school-admission-priorities/ DPS will send out school notifications in________________________________

NOTES ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Complete the SchoolChoice form and Submit

STEP 5

Español

English

The DPS SchoolChoice Guidebook was developed by the Office of Family and Community Engagement, Denver Public Schools, with some material adapted from Choosing a School for Your Child from the Office of Innovation and Improvement, U.S. Department of Education.

DENVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS

OFFICE OF FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

1860 Lincoln Street • 10th Floor Denver, CO 80203

720.423.3054

http://face.dpsk12.org/

Updated Fall 2016

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