Starting in January,
The change was approved by the school’s board of directors at its meeting Monday.
“As we’ve been working with (Durango School District) 9-R, we’ve seen every school in the district has to take any student whenever they come in,” said Sean Woytek, Animas head of school. “The perception in the community is that we pick and choose, but in fact, we close enrollment right at the October count.”
The public charter school admitted its first students in 2009. Until this year, if a student wasn’t enrolled by the beginning of October, they would have to wait until the next school year.
Because AHS offers project-based learning, students entering mid-semester would find it difficult to integrate into project, the school’s faculty felt, and by admitting students at a semester break, not only will they be able to start projects at the beginning, they school will be able to orient them as a group, which is much more efficient for a small school of about 300 students.
Second semester enrollment is open only to students in grades nine to 12. Seniors spend much of their senior year on senior projects.
Enrollment will be capped at 6 percent of Per Pupil Count Day or board-set capacity, whichever is less. Admission will be on a “first come, first served basis” based on the submission of the registration packet, which includes a registration form, immunization and medical forms, any individualized education program paperwork, official transcript and birth certificate. If all the paperwork and attendance at a school orientation meeting or school tour or phone orientation are not complete by the last day of the first semester, the student will have to wait until the following school year. The deadline date for this year is Dec. 16.
“It seems more equitable if families come to town during the school year or if students are attending a school that doesn’t work for them to have an opportunity during the school year,” Assistant Head of School Libby Cowles said. “Having them come in together is a more intentional welcome into the community, because while we don’t have cliques here, Animas itself is one big clique.”
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