File: JCA - ASSIGNMENT OF STUDENTS TO SCHOOLS

Registration Policy

Elementary (K-6)

Students in the Worcester Public Schools shall attend schools based upon neighborhood district lines. They are also eligible to attend the five citywide magnet schools based on conditions of space availability and the magnet school being in compliance with the Worcester Public Schools' Deisolation Plan. The five citywide magnet schools are: (1) Chandler Magnet School, (2) City View Discovery School, (3) Jacob Hiatt Magnet School (4) Norrback Avenue School and (5) Worcester Arts Magnet School. Elementary students residing in the North quadrant are eligible to attend the North quadrant magnet school, Roosevelt School, based on space availability. Under the Voluntary Controlled Transfer Policy, transfers are permitted to any school within that school's quadrant provided the transfer has a positive effect on the minority percentage of the school and space is available.

Secondary (Grades 7-12)

Depending on the school district in which the student resides, he/she can attend his/her local high school. This is based on the quadrant of residence of the student at the time of enrollment, unless special permission has been requested by the parent/guardian and approved by the District Administration to attend a different school. Attendance at Worcester Technical High School is based upon an application and selection process approved by the State Department of Education.

Voluntary Controlled Transfer Policy

I. Conditions for Out-of-District Transfers

It is the policy of the Worcester Public Schools that students shall attend schools based upon neighborhood district lines. Exceptions to this policy are allowed under the "Voluntary Controlled Transfer Policy" which permits transfers to other elementary, middle and high schools or to citywide magnet schools under the following conditions:

a. There must be space available in the receiving school.

b. Elementary, middle and high schools having a minority percentage greater than the citywide average on October 1 of each year will adhere to the following restrictions:

1. Minority students will not be allowed to transfer into a school which has a minority percentage greater than the citywide average on October 1 of each year.

2. Majority students will not be allowed to transfer out of a school except in the case where the sending school is in compliance and the receiving school is out of compliance as a result of having a minority percentage greater than 15 percentage points above the citywide minority percentage.

3. All students, both minority and majority, shall be eligible to attend citywide magnet schools and secondary magnet schools. In order to exercise this eligibility, the magnet school must be in compliance.

c. Elementary, middle and high schools having a minority percentage less than the citywide average on October 1 of each year will adhere to the following restrictions:

1. Majority students will not be allowed to transfer into a school which has a minority percentage less than the citywide average on October 1 of each year.

2. Minority students will not be allowed to transfer out of a school except in the case where the sending school is in compliance and the receiving school is out of compliance as a result of having a minority percentage less than 15 percentage points below the citywide minority percentage.

d. Voluntary transfer requests will be considered for properly documented medical disabilities and other unique circumstances.

e. Spanish Bilingual, Structured English and Special Education Programs are offered in certain schools. Any student requiring these services will be enrolled in the school that will meet his/her assessed needs.

f. When a student changes residence and would enter grade 6, 8 or 12, he/she may finish the year in that school provided that he/she is a resident of Worcester and has received the out-of-district principal´s permission to remain in that school.

g. Students who enroll in an out of district magnet program or the Worcester Technical High School must complete the year in the out-of-district school.

h. School bus transportation will not be provided for students attending schools outside their attendance area unless they can be accommodated on existing bus routes and schedules; or unless specific permission is granted by the Superintendent.

II. Procedures for Applying for a "Voluntary Transfer"

a. Applications and a policy statement are available at the Parent Information Center or the Office for Instruction and School Leadership:

Parent Information Center: (508) 799-3194
Burncoat/South Quadrants (508) 799-3264
Doherty/North Quadrants: (508) 799-3221
*Technical Quadrant: (508) 799-3499

*Applications for Worcester Technical High School may be obtained in all secondary guidance offices or at the Technical School Admissions Office.

b. The application must be filled out and returned to the appropriate office.

Parent Information Center or the Office for Instruction and School Leadership.

c. A written approval or denial will be sent to the home of the parent/guardian and copies will be forwarded to the principals of both the sending and receiving schools.

d. A copy of the application and the approval or denial letter will be kept on file in the Office for Instruction and School Leadership.

III. Hardship Appeals Process

If the parent/guardian disagrees with the decision of the Office for Instruction and School Leadership, an appeal must be filed before the first day of the school year. A maximum of two weeks will be allowed to appeal the decision in writing to the Chairperson of the Hardship Appeals Board, Parent Information Center, 768 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01610.

The Board will review each case referred to it and make timely decisions relative to the disposition of the appeal. A copy of the decision will be sent to the parent/guardian and the Office for Instruction and School Leadership. Proceedings of the Hardship Appeals Board will be recorded and maintained by personnel in the Office for Instruction and School Leadership.

Approved May 21, 2020