Martha's Vineyard Public Schools
School Choice Policy
Amended: 5.24.2005

If it is determined that space is available, the School Choice Policy allows children the opportunity to move from a school in the Martha's Vineyard Public School System to the (YOUR SCHOOL) School. When the number of applicants exceed the spaces available, a lottery will be held. In this lottery, priority will be given to siblings of those children who have changed their designated school through the lottery system, and currently attend the (YOUR SCHOOL) school.

Any student of a school of choice in the Martha's Vineyard Public School System may transfer through the School Choice Lottery. Each year the Principal(s) of the (YOUR SCHOOL) School, with the advice of the School Advisory Councils and staff, will determine which classes have available space for the upcoming year. In determining the spaces available to school choice applicants, the administration will take into consideration class size and dynamics.

Once a student has been selected through the School Choice Lottery, the (YOUR SCHOOL) School becomes his/her designated school.

MAXIMUM CLASS SIZE FOR SCHOOL OF CHOICE:

The maximum number of students for all classes is determined by each school. Please speak directly to the Principal's Office in that school.

If class size in any K-8 classes reaches the maximum number of students, there will not be the opportunity for any student from outside the district to transfer to the (YOUR SCHOOL) School.

TRANSPORTATION:
Transportation to and from the (YOUR SCHOOL) School will be the responsibility of the studentŐs parents.

PROCEDURES:

  1. A public notice will be placed in the local papers by the 1ST OF APRIL inviting individuals wishing to participate in the MVPS School Choice Program. The deadline for applications is JUNE 15TH.
  2. Schools will select and notify all applicants by JULY 1ST of their request to be considered for enrollment in the school of their choice. Successful applicants must notify each school by August 8th if they plan to attend that school in September [and WILL “COMMIT” to the school of choice for the full academic year].
  3. On AUGUST 15TH, a second public notice will be placed in the local papers, informing the public of the possibility of available space in the island schools.
  4. If space is available, individuals will be selected and notified by SEPTEMBER 1ST.
  5. If a student moves to another town during the year after the deadlines, the parent of the student may write a letter requesting to stay at the school for the remainder of the year. If the student wishes to remain the following year, the parent must re-apply to the school and meet the June deadline for the following year.
  6. After the student is officially accepted into the school, he/she does not need to reapply after the first year.