Applications to attend one of Richmond City’s open enrollment schools for the 2008-2009 school year are due Feb. 8. Open enrollment elementary schools are divided into three zones. The Zone III elementary schools are Bellevue, Ginter Park and Woodville, Binford Middle School is the city’s open enrollment middle school, and the open enrollment high schools are Franklin Military Academy, Open and Richmond Community.
Applications are available at the schools. For more information, call 780-7811.
16 comments
We have open enrollment in our public schools, right? That’s what I thought before getting on the school board. Then I was introduced to the concept of mega zones, which were supposedly put into place to manage our transportation issues when we would provide transportation to students attending schools outside of their home zones.
By policy, you can only apply to schools within your mega zone, which are the schools that are listed in the post above.
OK, the system doesn’t provide out of zone transportation anymore, why can’t parents in the east end apply to send their children to Munford or Fox, or where ever they want to go if they’re willing to provide transportation?
The fact is, there are many families attending schools outside of their mega zones, how did they get there?
The first answer is that the school system, incredibly, does not know. We know it is being done, but not why. It is not tracked.
The second answer is that there is a back door to the open enrollment process. A principal can admit anyone to their school, circumventing the lottery.
Tell me, is that fair? Is that the way you want to run a public system financed by taxpayer dollars?
These are the type situations when multiplied over and over, is the nature of our school system.
Can any parents offer up any info on Bellevue? Or on the Open Enrollment process?
Bellevue is an excellent school. My children go there. I strongly reccomend this school to anyone.
Okay, I have some questions, though. My son is zoned for MLK, but through No Child Left Behind, he can apply for entrance into several other schools. However, from discussion this morning with Ernestine Scott, NCLB enrollment will not begin until the end of February. Now, if Open Enrollment begins Feb 8th, it sounds like the school could fill up before I can even apply!
Also, the school I want my son to attend is not a Zone III school. Now, it will be on the list for NCLB, but I know from previous experience that it filled up before my child (an older child) had chance enroll in NCLB.
I talked to the Open Enrollment office and the Title 1 (NCLB) and neither seems to know what the other office is doing!!!!
I really need some help and some explanations here!
what is the word on Bellevue closing? is this a definite?
It keeps coming up on the chopping block. The closure would be effective in a couple of years, I think. You should email or call Keith West (keith@ego.com) – he personally does not approve of closing Bellevue.
I just left Bellevue, and you cannot even pick up an application until January 28, and you won’t find out until April?! Can any other parents tell me if it really takes that long?
I just got off the phone with Ernestine Scott, and yes, I think it really does take that long. The do not evaluate the applications until the last week of February AND all the NCLB applicants must be evaluated as well. BUT . . .
You can keep calling, like I do.
Good luck – as soon as the forms are available, I’ll post here to let you know.
Thanks. I’m just worried about giving up the kids spot in private school (re-registration due in Feb), and then not getting in. I took my oldest by there when I went, and she thinks it’s the bee’s knees (since there aren’t uniforms!), but another parent telling me how good a school it is is nice to hear.
I too recommend Bellevue to Guilty mom. I love the open door policy at the school and how parents are welcomed in the classroom, however, I would like to see several changes and more parent involvement there. (The schools problems, I blame more on the entire RPS system down at city hall.) Bellevue also has a good principal, dedicated teachers, and sweet students.
Applications were sent home yesterday (1/28)
Style looks at the open enrollment system
I agree that many of the schools that lack resources are predominantly black schools. When I heard that $1 millions dollars was to be earmarked for school improvements, my first thought was “Where”. If it goes to Fox, I think I will scream.
However, I disagree with ending open enrollment. All applicants are placed in a lottery system, so you just don’t know whether you will be accepted or not. However, it’s the only choice for kids that live in zone where the school are not up to par or viewed as too dangerous to attend.
Start screaming …. that school improvement money is being spent on FOX, Richmond Community, John B. Cary, Albert Hill. That oughta tell everyone where RPS’ values are and which kids they value and which ones they don’t.
SHAMEFUL!
Has school board made a final decision to close Belleview?
I’m a Fox parent and the money is being spent to comply with the American’s with Disabilities Act making the school handicap accessible. The building is almost 100 years old, thus stairs are steep; there are three floors and no elevators.
I’m a Fox parent as well. What millions of dollars spent on Fox are you talking about? Do you know how much time and effort Fox parents actually invest into this school? That is one of the reasons it’s doing well!