2013−14 Guide to the Offerings & Options IN THE PITTSBURGH PUBLIC SCHOOLS Table of Contents Letter from the Superintendent 3 Pick Your Program 4 Glossary 5 Understanding Magnet and Career & Technical Education (CTE) Programs 6 Magnet and Career & Technical Education (CTE) Schools and Programs Understanding Entrance Requirements 7 Understanding Preferences and the Weighted Lottery 8 Cancellation Policy 10 Rescission Policy 10 Magnet and CTE School & Program Listings 11 Portfolio Policy 15 Career and Technical Education Programs 16 Career and Technical Education Signature Programs 16 Career and Technical Education Regional Programs 17 School Descriptions 20 Online School Descriptions 70 Open House Dates and Times 78 Early Childhood Education Description and Location of Offerings 72 Enrollment Kindergarten 73 What to Bring 73 Where to Go 73 Immunization Requirements 73 Tuition Waivers 77 Students with Special Needs Gifted and Talented Education 74 Early Intervention 74 Special Education Centers 74 Right to Education Task Force 74 Location of Special Education and Additional Services Chart 75 Additional Information Transportation 77 Transportation for CTE Students 77 Non Resident Students (Tuition) 77 English as a Second Language 77 For more information about the Pittsburgh Public Schools, visit us on the web at www.pps.k12.pa.us or contact the Parent Hotline at (412) 622-7920. Visit Communications & Marketing: Room 201, Administration Building, 341 S. Bellefield Avenue (Oakland), Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Offerings and Options in Pittsburgh Public Schools 2 Parent Hotline: (412) 622-7920 | www.pps.k12.pa.us Dear Parents and Families, e understand that as parents you want a program for your child that ignites a passion for learning in an environment that is safe and welcoming. We also recognize that each child learns differently. That’s why we W are offering a wide range of educational options so you can pick a program that best suits your child. This guide includes descriptions of the offerings and options in the Pittsburgh Public Schools for the 2013–14 school year. If you are considering a Magnet program/school or a high school Career and Technical Education program for the 2013–14 school year, please complete an application online at www.pps.k12.pa.us/magnet* or you can also request an application form from your child’s counselor or the Parent Hotline. It is important for you to make your selection and submit your application by December 14th**. At the Pittsburgh Public Schools, we are committed to our vision of Excellence for All. This means preparing all children to achieve academic excellence and strength of character, so that they can pursue their passion and be prepared to receive scholarships through The Pittsburgh Promise®. The Pittsburgh Promise is a community gift to help families, plan, prepare and pay for education after high school. We are working hard to ensure that every school provides quality, academically rigorous and engaging programs so each student is Promise-Ready. If you are not already a part of our Pittsburgh Public Schools family, we encourage you to take a fresh look at the wide range of educational options we have available for your child. These options include excellent neighborhood schools as well as Magnet schools/programs that provide a specific educational model, such as the Montessori Method, or a theme-based program focusing on student’s specific talents or interests. We also have an extensive list of Career and Technical Education programs at the high school level that we encourage you to explore on pages 16–17. Additional secondary level options include: • Pittsburgh CAPA 6–12, a performing arts school located in Pittsburgh’s downtown cultural district (page 30) • Pittsburgh Obama 6–12, a world renowned program in which students can pursue a full International Baccalaureate Diploma in grades 11 and 12 (page 53) • Pittsburgh Milliones 6–12, a partnership school with the University of Pittsburgh that embraces a college-going culture in and outside of the classroom (page 49) • Pittsburgh Science and Technology Academy 6–12, a school tailored to students that have a passion for science, technology, engineering or math (page 58) We are committed to deepening our work and doing even more to advance student achievement at every level. By working together, I am confident we can achieve Excellence for All and advance the life prospects for all students. Sincerely, Linda Lane Superintendent *Non PPS families will need to complete the application enclosed in this guide. **Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12 applications are due by October 26. Offerings and Options in Pittsburgh Public Schools 3 Parent Hotline: (412) 622-7920 | www.pps.k12.pa.us Pick Your Program Step 1: Determine your Next Step • If you were previously enrolled in your Pittsburgh Public neighborhood (“feeder”) school and will remain there for the coming year, go no further—you are done! Feel free to read this packet to learn more information about your local school. • If you were not previously enrolled in your Pittsburgh Public neighborhood school and plan to enroll there for the coming year—please go to the school directly and enroll (see page 73 for what to bring). Feel free to read this 1 packet to learn more information about your local school. • If you are planning to apply to a Magnet or Career & Technical Education (CTE) program, please proceed to step 2. Step 2: Magnet or CTE Program Applicants Only (Read this information packet carefully.) • Ensure that the schools or programs that interest you are available at the grade level of your child by referencing the charts on pages 11–15. • Ensure that your child meets the requirements to be admitted to a particular program. See page 7 for the eligibility requirements. 2 • Learn more about the weighted lottery that applies to Magnet programs. See page 8 for more information. Step 3: Make an Informed Choice • Attend the Magnet and CTE Information Fair on October 6 from 9AM–3PM at Pittsburgh Obama (in the Peabody Facility) to learn more about a specific Magnet or CTE program. (See back cover for more information.) 3 • Attend an open house (see page 78), or contact your local school to set up a tour of the school that interests you. Step 4: Complete an Application (Consider applying online at www.pps.k12.pa.us/magnet.) • Apply before December 14, 2012 at 5PM (CAPA by October 26, 2012 at 5PM) to be included in the lottery or CAPA audition. • If you apply after December 14th during post registration, please apply by the FINAL deadline of March 15, 2013. • Fill out a different application for each child in your household applying to a Magnet or CTE program, either online or on paper. • Applications can be obtained through the Parent Hotline at (412) 622-7920 and can be mailed to you, or visit www.pps.k12.pa.us/magnet to print additional copies. 4 • Include up to 3 choices, in order of your preference, for each student. Please only select schools and programs in which you are willing to enroll your child and for which they are eligible. • You will not remain on wait lists for other school options if you are accepted into a school, even if it was your second or third choice. Step 5: Determine if you Need to Include Additional Supplements • Children enrolling in Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) for the first time need to include additional information that is outlined in the application and on page 73. • Ensure that any student applying to Pittsburgh Science & Technology Academy 6–12, Pittsburgh Linden K–5, Pittsburgh Obama 6–12 or Pittsburgh CAPA 6–12 includes the additional information outlined in the application 5 for the appropriate program. Step 6: Ensure you are Enrolled in Pittsburgh Public Schools • If your child was previously enrolled in PPS, and you are applying to a Magnet or CTE program, simply proceed to step 7. • If your child was not previously enrolled in PPS within the past year, and you are applying to a Magnet or CTE 6 program, please mail in all the information noted on the application and on page 73 and you will be enrolled centrally. Step 7: Apply Online (www.pps.k12.pa.us/magnet) or Mail in your Application (Applications will also be accepted at school sites.) • Pittsburgh CAPA 6–12 applications are due October 26 at 5PM. • All other applications, including supplementary materials, are due by December 14 at 5PM to be included in the lottery. • Any applications received after this date will be considered “Post Registration” and will only be filled after the lotteries are conducted, on a first come, first serve basis. 7 • All post-registration applications must be submitted by Thursday, March 15, 2013—no exceptions. Only people moving to the City for the first time after March 15 may apply after this date. The weighted lottery will be conducted in late December—results will be mailed in January 2013. Offerings and Options in Pittsburgh Public Schools 4 Parent Hotline: (412) 622-7920 | www.pps.k12.pa.us Glossary Code Used Type Explanation Every School District resident is assigned to a school attendance area, commonly referred to as a “feeder area.” The school your child is assigned to attend is based on Neighborhood School the address where your child lives. Parents may use the Street Directory under Schools on the District website (www.pps.k12.pa.us), call local schools or call the Parent Hotline at (412) 622-7920 to identify their assigned feeder pattern and geographic area. Magnet programs allow students to pursue special interests, talents or career goals. Partial Magnet Partial Magnet schools encompass a portion of the neighborhood school, and are a School program within a school.