September 29, 2018
TO THE PARENT OR GUARDIAN OF:

[STUDENT NAME]

[ADDRESS1]Student ID#: [XXXXXX]
[ADDRESS2]Projected Grade: [X]

This letter is to let you know that based on [XX] Elementary School’s reading and/or math scores on state tests, [STUDENT NAME] has the option of transferring to a higher-performing school for the 2006-2007 school year. (You are receiving this letter because you reside in the [XX] Elementary School attendance area.)

The option to transfer to a higher-performing school is part of the federal law, No Child Left Behind (NCLB), which requires all school districts to measure whether students are making Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in reading and math. The intent of the law is for 100 percent of the nation’s students to be proficient in reading and math by the year 2014.

About “Adequate Yearly Progress”

Earlier this semester, the state released individual school results. The Colorado Department of Education uses state test results, the number of students taking the tests, and graduation rates to determine whether schools are making Adequate Yearly Progress.

To make Adequate Yearly Progress, schools must meet annual targets set by the state for each of the following groups of students if there are at least 30 students in each group: White, Hispanic, African American, Asian, Native American, second-language learners, economically disadvantaged students and students with disabilities.

If any group of students fails to meet any target two years in a row, the school is identified as needing improvement and must offer to parents the option of transferring students to a higher-performing school.

Enrollment Options for 2006-2007

For the 2006-2007 school year, you may choose:

  1. Option One:Option One: Your child continues to attend [XX] Elementary School.
  1. Option Two: Transfer your child to one of these higher-performing schools if space is available:
  • [XX] Elementary School, [ADDRESS]
  • [XX] Elementary School, [ADDRESS]

Every attempt will be made to place your child in the first choice you select, but in some instances, your child may be placed in your alternate choices.

  1. Option Three: Apply to attend another school in the district if there is space available. Every attempt will be made to place your child in the first choice you select, but in some instances, your child may be placed in your alternate choices.

Option One

If you choose option one, you do not need to do anything further. (Do not submit the enclosed blue enrollment application.) In some cases, extra tutoring might be available for students in your school. Please check with your school to find out.

Option Two

If your child chooses to attend a school listed in option two, submit the enclosed blue enrollment application by Tuesday, January 31, 2006 in the enclosed envelope. Every attempt will be made to place your child in the first choice you select, but in some instances, your child may be placed in one of your alternate choices. Applications received after Tuesday, January 31, 2006 are approved on a first-come, first-served basis if there still is space available at the school you request. You will be notified by mail by the end of February 2006 of the status of your application.

If requested, we will try to transfer every child in the same family to the same school (with the exception of kindergarten students). However, we cannot guarantee same-school placement in each case depending on the space available.

For option two, transportation is provided for elementary school students who live one mile or more from school and for middle school students who live two and a half miles or more from school. Denver’s high school students ride Regional Transportation District (RTD) buses instead of yellow buses to school. High school students who live three and a half miles or more from school are eligible for a pass. You will be notified in late summer 2006 about bus stop locations.

Option Three

Denver Public Schools has a long-standing tradition of offering families the freedom and flexibility to select the school or program that best fits their child’s educational needs.

If you choose option three, consider looking into the educational choices in Denver Public Schools. Do not complete the enclosed blue application. Instead, special Choice enrollment applications will be available in all schools beginning Tuesday, January 3, 2006. You may apply to attend a school other than the one in your neighborhood; a magnet school offering a specific program; a charter school; a program for gifted and talented students; or other specialty programs including online schools.

For option three, transportation to another neighborhood school is not provided through the Choice process. Transportation to magnet schools is provided in most cases. Please see our enrollment guide for details.

Our enrollment guide explains the choices and application deadlines. In general, students can apply to any DPS school during the Choice enrollment period, which is the entire month of January 2006. Middle and high school magnet programs and elementary and middle school gifted and talented program applications have an earlier deadline: Friday, December 9, 2005. Charter schools set their own application deadlines.

The enrollment guide is on the Denver Public Schools website at To request a printed copy published by the Communications Office, call 720-423-3414.

Improving Schools

Denver’s draft of a new instructional reform plan will set high academic expectations for all students and align curriculum, instruction, assessment and training to Colorado’s content standards. "The Denver Plan" – currently in a review process – is built to achieve three main goals:

  • Our children will learn from a highly skilled faculty in every school; teachers will have access to robust training and real-time assessment data to help them better evaluate the progress children are making during the school year.
  • Highly trained principals and assistant principals will serve as instructional leaders in Denver schools.
  • Collaboration among the Denver community and all DPS stakeholders will support a safe, orderly and enriching environment in every school and classroom.

The plan calls for:

  • Increasing the quality and quantity of professional development for principals and teachers
  • Identifying struggling learners and establishing clear steps to bring them back to grade level, including mandatory summer school
  • Creating consistent and meaningful communication to parents
  • Establishing mentors for all students in need of positive adult influences
  • Improving awareness of school options
  • Establishing a consistent district-wide grading policy

The plan also requires each school to work with its community to articulate an intentional school culture. You are encouraged to review the plan, which is online at and to e-mail comments and suggestions to .

Getting Involved

Each school has a Collaborative School Committee that works on improving student achievement. You are encouraged to actively participate in the entire collaborative process – or to attend these meetings when key decisions are made. To find out more, call your school.

As you decide where you want your child to attend, consider his or her special talents or needs, the structure of the school and the achievement level of students already enrolled. You may decide that the school your child currently attends is the best choice.

If we may help answer questions, please call 720-423-3493.

Sincerely,

Ethan Hemming
Manager, School of Choice Office / Nancy Connor
Director, Title I Office

Denver Public Schools

2005 School Accountability Report (SAR) Academic Performance Ratings and CSAP Proficiency
SAR

Education**2005 SAR % Partially and Above

Level School RatingMath Reading

E / Academia Ana Marie Sandoval Elem / Low / 80.49%
* / E / Amesse Elementary School / Low / 68.42% / 63.83%
E / Asbury Elementary School / High / 96.88% / 95.45%
* / E / Ashley Elementary School / Low / 65.79% / 62.41%
* / E / Barnum Elementary School / Low / 76.09% / 67.32%
E / Barrett Elementary School / Low / 90.48% / 90.20%
E / Beach Court Elementary School / Average / 66.67% / 79.31%
E / Bradley Elementary School / Low / 63.16% / 84.38%
E / Bromwell Elementary School / High / 95.92% / 96.13%
E / Brown Elementary School / Low / 65.00% / 71.43%
E / Bryant-Webster K-8 School / Average / 86.59% / 83.54%
E / Carson Elementary School / High / 96.15% / 93.98%
* / E / Castro Elementary School / Low / 76.27% / 73.91%
E / Centennial K-8 School / Low / 76.79% / 83.33%
E / Challenge, Choice and Images Charter School / High / 63.64% / 93.10%
* / E / Cheltenham Elementary School / Low / 81.58% / 74.79%
* / E / Colfax Elementary School / Low / 71.43% / 64.04%
* / E / College View Elementary School / Low / 75.56% / 71.32%
E / Columbian Elementary School / Low / 68.42% / 73.33%
E / Columbine Elementary School / Low / 93.10% / 78.16%
E / Connections Academy / Low / 100.00% / 78.13%
E / Cory Elementary School / Excellent / 97.78% / 97.35%
* / E / Cowell Elementary School / Low / 65.71% / 64.52%
* / E / Del Pueblo K-8 School / Low / 82.61% / 67.86%
E / Denison Montessori School / Low / 75.61% / 83.52%
E / Denver Arts and Technology Academy Charter School / Low / 33.33% / 76.06%
* / E / Doull Elementary School / Low / 75.44% / 75.00%
E / Eagleton Elementary School / Low / 75.86% / 76.19%
E / Ebert Elementary School
E / Edison Elementary School / Average / 80.70% / 85.26%
E / Ellis Elementary School / Average / 90.20% / 89.76%
* / E / Fairmont K-8 Academy / Low / 69.05% / 63.81%
* / E / Fairview Elementary School / Low / 72.73% / 75.81%
E / Fallis Elementary School / Low / 68.18% / 76.12%
* / E / Force Elementary School / Low / 80.00% / 75.72%
* / E / Ford Elementary / Low / 49.15% / 57.35%
* / E / Garden Place K-8 Academy / Low / 65.91% / 73.28%
* / E / Gilpin K-8 School / Low / 51.61% / 61.54%
* / E / Godsman Elementary School / Low / 52.63% / 54.71%
* / E / Goldrick Elementary School / Low / 94.20% / 70.81%
E / Grant Ranch K-8 School / Average / 89.09% / 93.64%
E / Green Valley Ranch Elementary School / Low / 76.32% / 79.80%
* / E / Greenlee K-8 School / Low / 63.64% / 78.22%
E / Greenwood Elementary / Low / 80.00% / 78.38%
E / Gust Elementary School / Low / 84.38% / 76.47%
* / E / Hallett Elementary School / Low / 65.52% / 54.84%
* / E / Harrington K-8 School / Low / 83.02% / 80.39%
E / Highline Academy Charter School / Average / 87.10% / 87.88%
E / Holm Elementary School / Low / 74.55% / 78.01%
* / E / Johnson Elementary School / Unsatisfactory / 54.35% / 59.69%

SAR

Education**2005 SAR % Partially and Above

Level School RatingMath Reading

E / Kaiser Elementary School / Average / 84.31% / 89.74%
E / KIPP Sunshine Peak Academy Charter School / Average / 88.24% / 78.43%
* / E / Knapp Elementary School / Low / 68.57% / 69.86%
E / Knight Academy / Average / 89.55% / 92.47%
E / Lena Archuleta Elementary / Low / 78.18% / 72.39%
E / Lincoln Elementary School / High / 100.00% / 94.12%
E / Lowry Elementary / Low / 90.91% / 83.91%
E / Marrama Elementary School / Low / 76.36% / 87.29%
E / Maxwell Elementary School / Average / 83.33% / 87.04%
* / E / McGlone Elementary School / Low / 56.25% / 71.43%
E / McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School / High / 100.00% / 96.55%
E / McMeen Elementary School / Average / 90.32% / 79.29%
* / E / Mitchell K-8 School / Unsatisfactory / 47.37% / 55.43%
E / Montclair Elementary School / Low / 54.17% / 69.12%
E / Moore K-8 School / Average / 92.86% / 89.16%
* / E / Munroe Elementary School / Low / 77.42% / 68.32%
* / E / Newlon Elementary School / Low / 43.37% / 66.82%
E / Northeast Academy Charter School / Low / 56.36% / 70.40%
* / E / Oakland Elementary School / Low / 67.19% / 65.26%
E / Odyssey Charter School / Average / 90.00% / 94.20%
E / Omar D Blair Charter School / Average / 83.95% / 84.34%
E / Palmer Elementary School / Average / 96.15% / 95.18%
E / Park Hill K-8 School / Average / 90.65% / 87.97%
E / Philips Elementary School / Low / 61.90% / 63.04%
E / Pioneer Charter School / Low / 95.45% / 75.76%
E / Polaris at Ebert / Excellent / 100.00% / 100.00%
* / E / Remington Elementary / Low / 47.22% / 66.67%
E / Sabin Elementary School / Average / 84.27% / 89.43%
E / Samuels Elementary School / Average / 86.36% / 87.05%
* / E / Schenck Elementary School / Low / 76.79% / 73.17%
* / E / Schmitt Elementary School / Low / 66.67% / 79.17%
E / Slavens K-8 School / Excellent / 100.00% / 95.83%
E / Smedley Elementary School / Low / 69.23% / 72.66%
* / E / Smith Elementary School / Unsatisfactory / 37.04% / 55.91%
E / Southmoor Elementary School / Excellent / 96.43% / 97.06%
E / Steck Elementary School / Excellent / 100.00% / 98.08%
* / E / Stedman Elementary School / Low / 79.31% / 75.36%
E / Steele Elementary School / High / 100.00% / 97.39%
* / E / Swansea Elementary School / Low / 68.12% / 68.18%
E / Teller Elementary School / Average / 84.00% / 95.31%
E / Traylor Elementary School / High / 89.13% / 90.31%
E / University Park Elementary School / Average / 94.59% / 87.60%
E / Valdez Elementary School / Low / 60.00% / 71.43%
* / E / Valverde Elementary School / Low / 72.22% / 66.12%
E / Westerly Creek Elementary / Low / 90.00% / 89.29%
E / Whiteman Elementary School / Low / 35.71% / 60.00%
E / Whittier K-8 School / Low / 66.67% / 77.19%
E / Wyatt Edison Charter / Average / 80.00% / 80.61%
E / Wyman Elementary School / Low / 69.23% / 77.42%

*Schools designated as needing improvement under the federal No Child Left Behind law
**State performance ratings of excellent, high, average, low or unsatisfactory are based on third through tenth grade CSAP scores from the 2004-2005 school year. High school ratings also factor in scores from the eleventh grade Colorado ACT reading, writing and math tests given to all high school juniors by state law.

NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND (NCLB)

CHOICE APPLICATION FOR 2006–2007 SCHOOL YEAR

This application is valid only for the student listed below:

Student Name: [STUDENT NAME]Birth date[XX]Student ID# [XX]

Address: [XX]

Street Address
[XX], [XX][XX][XX]

CityStateZip CodePhone NumberAlternate Phone Number

Child currently is attending: [XX]

If the above address or phone number(s) are incorrect or you have moved, please write the new address above, submit this form in the enclosed envelope and provide your child’s school with the new address. You will be contacted if your options for transferring to a higher-performing school change based on your address.

Option One: According to the printed address above, your child currently is scheduled to attend [XX School] for the 2006-2007 school year. If your childchooses to continue attending [XX School], you do not need to do anything further. Do not submit this application.

Option Two: To transfer your child to one of these higher-performing schools if space is available, rank your selection in number order. Put a 1 next to your first choice, a 2 next to your second choice, etc. Every attempt will be made to place your child in the first choice you select, but in some instances, your child may be placed in your alternate choices. You will be notified by mail by the end of February 2006 of the status of your application.
XX Elementary School with transportation provided if outside walk zone.
XX Elementary School with transportation provided if outside walk zone.

SUBMIT THIS APPLICATION BY Tuesday, January 31, 2006

IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED

Option Three: Apply in January 2006 to attend another school in the district if there is space available. Do not submit this application. Instead, special Choice enrollment applications will be available in all schools beginning Tuesday, January 3, 2006.

I am applying to have my child attend a school other than his/her assigned school. I understand that requests will be approved based on space availability and that there is no guarantee that my child will be able to attend any school other than the assigned school.

______

Parent or Guardian Name (Print Name) Parent or Guardian Signature Date