School of Choice in North MISD

Yes, there is a difference. A school of choice has an entry requirement, an established number of students who can apply and transportation is provided. Examples of choice schools in MISD are the Early College High School, Frontier Stem Academy, Jerry Knight Stem Academy and the Two-Way Dual Language Program.

A branded school is an existing neighborhood school that identifies a specific theme for its school. Students do not apply to attend branded schools. Students may utilize the district transfer policy, if room is available. However, no transportation is provided for those outside the attendance zone. Examples of branded schools in MISD are Tarver-Rendon School of Agricultural Leadership and Martha Reid Leadership Academy.

Yes. In August of 2021, the new school will have grades 6-8. Each year, another grade will be added. So, in August 2022, the school will house grades 6-9.

Currently, there are no 6-12 campuses in MISD. However, there are schools of choice that follow this configuration in neighboring districts, around the state and around the country.

No. We are in the process of developing the name for the school of choice.

No.

No. No tuition is required.

Yes. There is a maximum number of 150 students per grade level.

No. Once they have been accepted into the school of choice, they do not have to reapply.

Yes. Students may choose to return to their home campus at any time.

No. The entry requirements and the application process are currently under development and will be available by fall 2020.

No. Students can choose to attend their neighborhood school or apply to a different school of choice.

Yes. They will follow the same application process.

No. Uniforms will not be required. Students will follow MISD dress code guidelines.

The current board policy does not allow for outside transfers. This policy is currently under review.

Yes. The teacher will follow the same process as all other applicants.

No. All courses will be taken at the school of choice.

The new school of choice will look at curriculum from a Humanities perspective.

Yes. Student transfers are handled through the Student Services Department. The timeframe is Feb. 1 through Aug. 1.

Yes. A committee was formed to study choice opportunities in the area. The committee recommended that the district provide a school of choice in North Mansfield ISD to ensure equity of choice and to make more efficient use of the existing facilities.

Yes. MISD believes offering parents and students choice in their education will draw students to this school.

Yes. We are focusing on students currently in the north part of MISD. However, all students in the MISD will be considered.

Yes. Students will have access to apply at each choice school based on entrance assurances.

No. The hours have not yet been determined.

Yes. We are continuing to look for ways to add choice opportunities for our students.

Yes. Students who do not apply to the school of choice would attend the neighborhood school for which they are zoned. Additionally, all MISD students have the option to request a transfer via Student Services to a campus with available room.

Yes, students may apply at any grade level offered at the school of choice pending available space.

Yes. The process for reviewing the two transitions that would take place over a two-year time frame is currently under review.

Yes. There is a special consideration for siblings at the school of choice.

Yes. Students will be required to do some work outside of the school day.

Yes. Students may apply to any school of choice in the district.

The school of choice will provide students an opportunity to demonstrate their learning in a manner that best fits their learning style.

Yes. Dyslexia services will be provided.

Yes. Campus and parent meetings are taking place in February. Additional information will be provided at the February 25 regular board meeting. The presentation will include specific information pertaining to instructional programming and research on the 6-12 grade configuration. Additional parent, student and community meetings will take place fall 2020.

As the schools expands to include high school students, the parking lot will be evaluated.

Yes. Advanced curriculum courses will be available at the school of choice.

No. The IB program is an advanced academics program that the district would be required to purchase. We will offer advanced academics, but not IB.

Yes. The school of choice will have an emphasis on project-based learning focused on solving real-world problems. Students will be exposed to advanced academic curriculum and learn a world language.

Yes. All MISD students are required to participate in state required testing.

Yes. All state requirements will be provided.

Yes. Students will be exposed to advanced academic curriculum that will prepare them for state and national exams.

Yes. Students will receive grades and report cards.

No. The school of choice will follow state and district curriculum guidelines and will provide required courses for graduation.

Yes. The MISD board is considering various choice offerings in the future.

Yes. Campus budgets are based on the number of students.

Yes. Due to the addition of fifth grade, Fine Arts will provide funding at the elementary campuses based on the number of students.

Yes. A communication and marketing plan is being established.

No. The elementary graduation would now happen at fifth-grade beginning in the 2021-22 school year.

Yes. The Title I status is reviewed each year to determine a campuses eligibility.

Yes. State Accountability scores (A-F) are largely determined by the performance of the students on STAAR/EOC exams. Fifth grade scores would be included in the A-F calculation.

Yes. A demographic study was conducted to review enrollment projections and space.

No. There is a mandatory 22:1 ratio for grades K-4. The district ratio for fifth grade is 28:1 and is the same ratio used at the intermediate school.

Yes. The schools will follow the proposal process currently in place in the district to become a branded school. Any campus that wishes to become a branded school may submit an application developed by the campus leadership team to the Chief Innovation Officer.

Yes. We have space to accommodate fifth-grade science at all four elementary schools.

Yes. The preK-5 configuration will only be at Kenneth Davis, Glenn Harmon, Charlotte Anderson and Carol Holt elementary schools.

Yes. Funding for school is based on the number of students.

No. Each campus will have the autonomy to create the schedule that works best for its students.

Yes. Fifth grade students will still have the fine arts rotations.

Yes. A new state law requires us to provide full-day Pre-K within the next three years. Currently, many Pre-K students from north MISD attend the Dr. Jandrucko Early Learners Academy. Full-day Pre-K may require us to move some of them back to their home campus.

Yes. The district currently has a transfer process for students. Parents would utilize that process. They would also be able to apply for other choice schools.

Yes. Central administration is working with the Howard staff to appropriately plan for a Grade 6-8 campus.

Yes. With the current additions, Howard will be able to accommodate the sixth grade.

No. QUEST is not available on the middle school campuses.

We will work with the Howard administration to determine the campus needs.

No. Additional restrooms are not part of the new classroom additions.

We will work with the Howard administration as well as facilities and operations to determine need.

A mobile device committee is currently evaluating student device use across the district. Their recommendations will include schools of choice.

No. The school of choice will provide extracurricular opportunities for students. However, traditional band, athletics and choir will not be offered.

Yes. The MISD Fine Arts Department is currently working on the details of the transition and the assurances that programs will be equal across the district.

No. The MISD Athletic Department does not allow students at one campus to play sports at another campus. This rule applies to all choice schools.

Yes. The fifth-graders will have the same exposure to band, P.E. and orchestra that they had at the intermediate school.

Yes. The school of choice will have a nurse.

Yes. The existing faculty and staff will have the opportunity to transfer to other schools in the district through the MISD Human Resources transfer process. They may also submit an application to teach at the school of choice.

Yes. The campus staff will be determined based on student enrollment and need at each school. This includes special education, reading specialists and elective teachers.

Yes. This is a possibility based on enrollment numbers and individual campus needs.

Yes. Transportation will be provided.

Yes. That decision will be determined by the transportation department once we know the exact number of bus riders.

Yes. You will continue to attend your home campus unless you choose to apply to the school of choice.

Yes. The furniture and equipment will be used by the school of choice with the exception of instructional materials that will follow the fifth-grade students.

Yes. With the additional construction at Howard and current review of space, the quality of elective programs will not be sacrificed.

No. All four of the elementary schools have the space to accommodate the addition of the fifth-graders without the use of temporary buildings.

Yes. Current construction provides for eight additional classrooms, and the previous cafeteria expansion will accommodate for the increased enrollment.