Heads up, parents: If you have a child entering kindergarten at Champaign Unit 4 School District in the 2016-17 school year, the process to determine where your child will go to school starts now — and we’re here to help.
Champaign Unit 4 has posted tour, info session, and registration dates for the “school of choice” process, more commonly known as the kindergarten lottery. We’ve answered five of the most commonly asked questions we hear about the lottery, as well as compiled important dates from the district. Without further ado:
WHY DO THE LOTTERY? Well, the history behind why Champaign Unit 4 has Schools of Choice is a long one. Before we get bogged down with that, district parents should know that the kindergarten lottery provides the best opportunity for families to get their children the school placement they desire. Here is a look at last year’s data.
HOW DO WE KNOW WHICH SCHOOL IS RIGHT FOR OUR FAMILY? There are a few things that might determine fit for your family (and notice I say family, not just the child). There are several things to consider right off the bat — do you want a traditional school calendar, or are you interested in a balanced calendar option (an abbreviated summer plus a lengthy fall break)? Do you want a school that starts at a certain time, either early or late? Are you interested in specific curriculum options such as dual language, STEM focus, or Chinese language? Before you even start touring the schools, consider these different options and opportunities.
HOW DO WE GET TO KNOW THE SCHOOLS? It’s difficult to get a sense for school climate without taking a well-rounded temperature. While you should definitely take advantage of the school tours (offered by the district during the Schools of Choice registration period (dates are below — and if you can’t make those tours, ask the district to arrange others), we recommend that you network to meet people connected to the schools — parents, teachers, aides. Probably most overlooked in the process: talking to kids who attend those schools!
HOW DO WE GUARANTEE THE SCHOOL WE WANT? You can’t. Really, you can’t. However you can maximize your chances by gaining a more thorough understanding of the process. Every family gets a proximity school, which is either within 1.5 miles from your house or the closest one as determined by the district; some families have more one than one. Socioeconomic status (which includes income and educational attainment) is factored into the equation. Sibling preference is pretty much guaranteed; of course, it’s hard to know when a school has a lot of siblings in the incoming kindergarten pool. A comprehensive look at the process can be found at the district’s website. This has links to all of the elementary schools, the registration forms, and information on proximity.
IS THERE AN ADVANTAGE TO REGISTERING EARLY? Parents can register a child for the kindergarten lottery between Jan. 4-March 31, 2016; but early registration provides no advantage to the child’s placement. The long window of time is purely for convenience sake and there is no correlation between when someone registers for the lottery (as long as it is before the deadline) and one’s placement.
IMPORTANT DATES FOR CHAMPAIGN UNIT 4 SCHOOLS KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
REGISTRATION DATES: Jan. 4-March 31, 2016. Students must turn 5 on or before Sept. 1, 2016, to be eligible. Parents must provide a birth certificate and proof of residency at the time of registration. Registration must be done in person at the Family Information Center (1103 N. Neil St., Champaign, at the corner of Neil and Bradley).
TOURS: The 12 Champaign Unit 4 elementary schools will be open for tours on Tuesday mornings from 9-10 a.m. in February and Wednesday afternoons from 12:30-1:30 p.m. during March.
INFO SESSIONS: Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016, at 6 p.m. at Garden Hills Elementary School (2001 Garden Hills Dr.) Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016, at 6 p.m. at Kenwood Elementary School (1001 Stratford Dr.) These meetings provide parents with an overview of the process as well as opportunities to meet administrators and teachers from all 12 elementary schools.
EVENING OPEN HOUSE: Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016 from 6-8 p.m. at any of the 12 elementary schools. Tours will be provided.
CHOICE CHATS: Choice Chats offer a smaller setting for families to speak with Schools of Choice staff members and have their questions answered. Two Thursday afternoons from 4:30-6 p.m. during March at the Family Information Center.
INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONS: Unit 4 has Choice Specialists available to answer questions by phone (217-351-3701) or in person at the Family Information Center. They also have “Choice Liaisons” who can set up school visits.
ASSIGNMENT NOTIFICATION: Last year, families received notification of kindergarten placement by April 17. Notification dates are not guaranteed.
For more information visit the Unit 4 kindergarten process website.
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