School Options Guide
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2016-2017 SCHOOL OPTIONS GUIDE Office of School Options & Innovation Phone: 980-343-5030 www.cms.k12.nc.us/cmsdepartments/schoptions/pages Magnet Programs Office Phone: 980-343-5030 [email protected] www.cms.k12.nc.us/magnets Career and Technical Education Office Phone: 980-343-5686 www.cms.k12.nc.us/cmsdepartments/ci/cte/Pages/ Student Placement Office 1600 Tyvola Road Charlotte, NC 28210 Phone: 980-343-5335 [email protected] www.cms.k12.nc.us/cmsdepartments/StudentPlacement In compliance with federal law, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools administers all education programs, employment activities and admissions without discrimination against any person on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, national origin, age or disability. Every Child. Every Day. For a Better Tomorrow. 1 Choose your Learning Experience School Options CMS is committed to providing every family and every student at least two high-quality school options. In addition to neighborhood schools, CMS offers a number of school options, each with a signature theme or program that provides unique educational opportunities designed to engage students’ interests and talents. CMS school options include magnet programs, career academies, early and middle colleges, and other distinctive school models. Each option focuses on ensuring students are prepared for college and a career, while exposing students to different learning approaches, leadership preparation, and engaging curriculum. The school options listed in this Guide are accessed using the district’s school options lottery. Families and students should follow the lottery application process to express interest in a school option and apply for a seat in a school options program. Office of School Options and Innovation The Office of School Options and Innovation includes Magnet Programs and Career and Technical Education (CTE). We support principals and schools to design unique learning opportunities that leverage technology, advance 21st century learning skills, and prepare students for college and a career. Our goal is to increase the number and variety of high-quality academic options across the district to provide greater choice in public education and promote excellence in student achievement and growth. Applying to a School Options Program KEY DATES Second week Dec. 4, 2015 Jan. 9, 2016 Jan. 11, 2016 Jan. 25, 2016 of Dec. 2015 Students may begin School Options Last day for new at 10:00pm First Lottery applying for the Fair at Phillip O. students to enroll Last day for all Instruction letters First Lottery Berry Academy of and be eligible for students to apply begin arriving in Technology the First Lottery for the First homes for enrolled (9 am to 1 pm) Lottery students Last week of Dec. 4, 2015 - Mar. 7, 2016 Second Week May 13, 2016 Feb. 2016 Mar. 18, 2016 Students may begin of Mar. 2016 Last day for new First Lottery Request for applying for the Second Lottery students to enroll Notification letters Reassignment* Second Lottery Instruction letters and be eligible for begin arriving in period for First begin arriving in the Second Lottery homes Lottery homes for enrolled students June 6, 2016 June 20 - Last week of Dec. 4, 2015 - Feb. 22 - at 10:00pm July 14, 2016 June 2016 July 14, 2016 July 14, 2016 Last day for all Request for Second Lottery Request for Request for students to apply Reassignment* Notification letters Transfer* period Transfer* period for the Second period for the begin arriving (current CMS (students who Lottery Second Lottery in homes students and future enrolled after students who future January 11, 2016) enrolled by January 11, 2016) * For more information on the Reassignment/Transfer process, please see the Guidelines & Procedures section of this Guide or visit www.cms.k12.nc.us/cmsdepartments/StudentPlacement. Table of contents Introduction CMS Fast Facts ................................................................................. 1 Message from the Superintendent ................................................. 2 Message from the Board of Education .......................................... 3 School Options Programs & Entrance Requirements Focused Areas of Study Business & Entrepreneurship ............................................ 4 Middle Colleges ................................................................... 6 Early College ........................................................................ 8 International Baccalaureate ............................................. 10 Global Studies, Leadership & Military ........................... 14 World Languages ............................................................... 16 Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Math ......... 22 Visual & Performing Arts ................................................ 28 Unique Learning Approaches Blended & Virtual Learning ............................................ 30 Learning Immersion & Talent Development ............... 32 Montessori .......................................................................... 34 Traditional .......................................................................... 36 School Options Programs by Transportation Zone .................. 38 Transportation Zone Maps ........................................................... 41 Applying to a School Options Program Application Checklist ................................................................ 44 Key Dates .................................................................................... 45 Lottery Guidelines & Application Procedures ....................... 46 Remaining Eligible for a School Options Program Middle School Continuation Requirements .......................... 49 High School Continuation Requirements .............................. 50 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) ........................................... 51 Contact Information ..................................................................... 54 Fast Facts All data reflects information for the 2015-16 school year unless noted otherwise. Our Students Total number of students enrolled (K-12) ................... 147,031 Kindergarten-grade 5 ...................................................... 71,992 Grades 6-8.......................................................................... 34,058 Grades 9-12 ....................................................................... 42,981 Our Schools Total number of schools .........................................................164 Elementary schools ..................................................................91 Middle schools ..........................................................................39 High schools ..............................................................................31 Alternative schools .....................................................................3 School Options (Upcoming 2016-2017 School Year) Number of schools offering Option programs ......................52 Number of School Option Themes .........................................11 Number of Magnet Schools .....................................................47 Number of Early and Middle Colleges .....................................4 Number of Schools offering CTE Options ..............................4 Student Ethnic Distribution American Indian/multiracial .................................................3% Asian..........................................................................................6% African-American ................................................................ 40% Hispanic ................................................................................. 22% White ...................................................................................... 29% Native languages spoken by students in CMS .....................175 Countries represented in CMS..............................................158 Graduates Total number of 2015 graduates ........................................8,694 Class of 2015 CMS Cohort Graduation Rate ................. 88.3% 2016 - 2017 School Options Guide 1 Message from the Superintendent Dear CMS families, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has been recognized by the Council of Great City Schools as having more top magnet programs than any other district in America – but we are expanding our options in order to offer an even more extensive, individualized array of academic programs. CMS will offer new programs of study and expand access to World Language and other magnet programs for the 2016-2017 school year. The new programs prepare students for college and career success by linking high school instruction and postsecondary curriculums with employer-based training. The plan also expands the CMS transportation model to provide a shuttle stop option (an assigned bus stop at a specified CMS school site) or a common neighborhood stop option for magnet students at the 17 schools currently served by shuttle stops. In addition, the opening of an Institute of Technology at Harding University and the Service and Protection Academy at the Military and Global Leadership Academy at Marie G. Davis reflects our goal of increasing choice and customizing learning for all students. We will continue to expand in coming years so that we meet the needs of every child. Magnet schools offer an opportunity for us to engage students who have a particular interest or academic strength. I want to personally thank you for choosing Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools for your child. Sincerely, Ann Clark Superintendent, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools