1.ÜÜÜ What is the San Francisco Unified School District's Enrollment Application process?

The Enrollment Application process provides parents/guardians/caregivers of a school-age child the opportunity to select up to five SFUSD schools, including application to three alternative schools, that they wish for their child to attend.Ü Because each school has space limitations and may have more applications than seats available, selecting a particular school as part of the enrollment process does not guarantee assignment to one of the schools selected.

2.ÜÜÜ How do I let the District know the schools that I want the District to consider in assigning my child to a school?

You must complete the Enrollment Application form for the 2002-03 school year to let the District know the schools for which you want your child to be considered.Ü The application period for the school year 2002-03 is from November 1, 2001 through February 1, 2002.

3.ÜÜÜ Who should complete the Enrollment Application form?

You must complete the Enrollment Application form if your child is not currently enrolled in the SFUSD.Ü This means that you must complete the Enrollment Application form if:

You must complete the Enrollment Application form if:

You should complete the Enrollment Application form if:

4.ÜÜÜ If I want my child to attend the school based on my home address, and if my child is not currently enrolled in a SFUSD school, do I have to complete an Enrollment Application form?

Yes, if you are new to SFUSD, you must submit an Enrollment Application, whether you are applying for your child to attend the school based on your home address or any other school of your choice.Ü Listing your school based on home address as one of your choices gives you a higher priority to be assigned to that school.Ü It, however, does not guarantee an assignment to that school because many schools have more applicants than available seats.Ü

5.ÜÜÜ How will students be assigned to schools?

SFUSD's assignment process seeks to give all SFUSD students equitable access to all schools and to create diverse educational environments that will benefit all students.Ü The same assignment process will be used for all SFUSD schools except School of the Arts and Lowell High School.Ü If there are more available seats than applicants for a particular grade at a school, all students will be assigned.Ü If there are more applicants than seats, then siblings of existing students and students who need special programs available at the school (such as language services or special education) are assigned first without any consideration of diversity.Ü SFUSD then assigns students through the diversity index lottery procedure.

6.ÜÜÜ Which students will be impacted by the new student assignment procedures for 2002-2003?

Primarily incoming kindergarteners, entering sixth graders, and entering ninth graders will be affected.Ü Current assigned students will remain in their school of assignment with the exception of the new incoming grades (K, 6th and 9th).

7.ÜÜÜ What is the Diversity Index?

The diversity index is a computer program that assigns students to the school among choices where they will most contribute to a diverse educational environment.Ü The diversity index simultaneously considers multiple factors shown by research to be important to creating successful learning environments:

8.ÜÜÜ How does the Diversity Index work?

The diversity index lottery program continuously assesses the diversity characteristics of already assigned students for a particular grade.Ü For each available seat, the computer looks at the entire applicant pool and tentatively selects the student who will most enhance diversity using all the diversity factors.Ü This means the student selected for each seat will generally have characteristics not widely found in already assigned students.Ü If multiple students have the very same characteristics, one will be randomly assigned.Ü If no information is available for a particular diversity factor, students will be considered based on available information.Ü If the diversity index selects a student for more than one of his or her five schools of choice, the student will be assigned to the school to which he or she contributes the most diversity.

For schools with assigned attendance areas, there will be two lottery phases.Ü First, the diversity index will admit students living in the attendance area (or who reside in a satellite zone to a different school and have listed this school as their highest choice among schools with attendance zones).Ü When students from this pool no longer contribute to the multifaceted diversity of the school, all students who listed the school as one of their five choices or who live in the school's attendance zone will be included in the diversity index lottery.

More details on the student assignment process and diversity index can be found in SFUSD's educational plan Ò Excellence for All Ò available on SFUSD's web site at www.sfusd.edu.

9.ÜÜÜ What happens if my child does not get assigned to any of the schools that I have listed on the Enrollment Application form?

Your child will be assigned to the school based on your home address if there are seats available in that school.Ü If seats are not available, the District will assign your child to a school where there are available seats, where transportation is available and where the student contributes to the diversity.

10.ÜÜ How do I find out the school to which my child would be assigned, based on my home address?

The school to which your child is assigned based on your home address is listed in a street directory.Ü You may call any public school or the Educational Placement Center for this information.Ü This information also is available on the SFUSD's website at www.sfusd.edu.

11.ÜÜ Where can I obtain an Enrollment Application form?

Beginning November 1, 2001, you can obtain an enrollment application form at:

You also may request that an Enrollment Application be sent to you by mail by calling the EPC at (415) 241-6085.

In addition, if you have a fifth grade child or an eighth grade child currently enrolled in a SFUSD school, you will receive an Enrollment Application form, with instructions, mailed to your home address.Ü You should receive this no later than the week of November 5-9, 2001.

12.ÜÜ What additional information do I need to submit with my completed Enrollment Application form?

For students new to the SFUSD, proof of the student's birth date and two current (within 90 days) proofs of home address are required.

For students currently attending a SFUSD school, two current (within 90 days) proofs of home address are required.

Any of the following documents will be accepted as proof of the student's birth date:

Two of the following documents will be accepted as proof of current home address:

13.ÜÜ Do I have to complete the "Student Information" section on the Enrollment Application form, which asks about my child's prior academic experience, language needs, and my family?

You do not have to complete the section to have your child considered for assignment to a school.Ü However, providing this information will help SFUSD create diverse educational environments that will benefit your child.Ü Additionally, depending on the diversity characteristics of other students who apply to a school or are assigned base on sibling or program needs, the information may increase your child's chance of being assigned to one of your schools of choice.

14.ÜÜ Do I have to provide information on my child's race or ethnicity?

Information on your child's race and ethnicity is optional.Ü This information is not used in any way in assigning students.

15.ÜÜ Where do I submit my completed Enrollment Application form?

You may submit your completed Enrollment Application form at any San Francisco public school, any Child Development Center, the Chinese Education Center at 657 Merchant Street, the African American Family & Culture Center at 1551 Newcomb Street, or the Educational Placement Center at 555 Franklin Street, Room 100, San Francisco.

16.ÜÜ When must I submit a completed Enrollment Application form and when will the SFUSD tell me to which school my child has been assigned?

To have the best opportunity to receive one of the schools that you choose for your child to attend, you should submit your completed Enrollment Application no later than February 1, 2002.Ü Parents/guardians/caregivers who submit an application between November 1, 2001 and February 1, 2002 will receive priority assignment consideration and will receive school assignment letters by March 15, 2002.Ü

17.ÜÜ What, if anything, do I need to do after I receive a letter notifying me of the school to which my child has been assigned?

You must return by mail the "tear-off" section of the notification letter indicating whether you intend to enroll your child in the school assigned.Ü The "tear-off" section must be post-marked within 10 working days after receiving the notification letter for you to maintain your child's seat in the school assigned.Ü In addition, if you receive a notification letter by March 15, 2002, you must go to the assigned school and enroll your child by March 30, 2002, or the school assignment will be canceled.

18.ÜÜ When will I be notified if I submit my application after February 1, 2002?

The SFUSD will process Enrollment Application forms received after February 1, 2002 beginning in mid-April. The District will notify parents/guardians/caregivers who submit applications after the February 1 deadline of their assignment as soon as it is feasible.

19.ÜÜ How do I get information about schools, including alternative schools, and attendance zones, so that I can make an informed decision about which school or schools would best meet the needs and interests of my child?

Listed below are several suggestions for learning more about the schools.

20.ÜÜ How many schools may I request that my child be considered for?

You may select up to five schools, but only three of your choices may be alternative schools.

21.ÜÜ What happens if I only list one school as a choice?

If you list only one school as a choice, you decrease your child's opportunity to be assigned to a school of your choice, particularly if your school of choice is one with many applicants and few seats available.

22.ÜÜ What is an alternative school?

An alternative school is a school that has a unique focus or a theme that may address the needs and interests of your child.Ü Examples of these programs are the ear round program at Argonne and the arts program at Rooftop.Ü Please see Attachment A to these questions and answers for a complete list of alternative rograms.

23.ÜÜ Will proximity zones for alternative schools remain?

The new assignment plan eliminates proximity zones for all alternative schools to ensure equitable access for students from all parts of the city.Ü This practice is part of the District's commitment to encourage school choice for all families.

24.ÜÜ What should I do if I am interested in my child attending the School of the ArtsÜÜ ("SOTA")?

To apply for acceptance to SOTA, you must complete the Enrollment Application form and the SOTA application and return the forms by February 1, 2002. You may submit your Enrollment Application form to any San Francisco public school or to the Educational Placement Center at 555 Franklin Street, Room 100.Ü In addition to completing the Enrollment Application, your child must schedule an audition and submit the SOTA application form to SOTA. You must contact SOTA at (415) 469-4027 or visit the school at 700 Font Blvd, to schedule this audition.Ü The SOTA application (also known as the "Application Packet") is available at all public middle schools, the Educational Placement Center and on SOTA's website, www.sfsota.org.

In completing the Enrollment Application form, you should list SOTA as one of your choices.Ü Because of the demand for SOTA and the audition requirements for admission to SOTA, it is important that you make additional choices in case your child is not one of the students selected for SOTA.

25.ÜÜ What should I do if I am interested in my child attending Lowell High School?

You must complete the Enrollment Application form and the Lowell High School Application form.Ü If your child has not taken the Stanford Achievement Test, Ninth Edition (SAT-9 test) within the last year, you must select one of the dates on the Lowell application for your child to take the test.Ü If your child is currently enrolled in a San Francisco public school, you may submit your Enrollment Application form and the Lowell application form no later than December 21, 2001 to your middle school counselor or to the Educational Placement Center (EPC) at 555 Franklin Street, Room 100.Ü If your child is attending a private or parochial school, you must come to the EPC no later than December 21, 2001 to submit your Enrollment Application and the Lowell High School application form.Ü In completing the Enrollment Application form, you should list Lowell as one of your choices.Ü Because of the demand for Lowell High School and its admission criteria, it is important that you make additional choices in case your child is not one of the students selected for Lowell.

26.ÜÜ Where do I obtain the Lowell High School applications?

You can obtain the Lowell High School application at any San Francisco public middle school, most San Francisco private/parochial schools, Lowell High School and at the EPC located at 555 Franklin Street, Room 100.

27.ÜÜ If I have a child already enrolled in one of the schools that I request, will I be given a preference for my second child to be assigned to that school?

A child will receive priority to attend a school if (1) his/her brother or sister attended that school in 2001-2002 and will continue to attend that school in 2002-03 and (2) that brother or sister lives in the same household as the applicant.

28.ÜÜ Will the SFUSD provide transportation for my child to attend any school in the SFUSD?

For elementary school students, the District will provide transportation to and from school if the student is assigned to the school based on his or her home address and the area in which the student resides is non-contiguous to the school or if the student has been assigned to one of the alternative schools for which there is an existing bus route with a stop near his or her residence.

For middle and high school students, the District will not provide transportation to students except for those non-contiguous areas assigned to Herbert Hoover, AP Giannini, Aptos, and James Lick middle schools.

For special education students, the District will provide transportation if it is part of the student's Individualized Education Plan.

29.ÜÜ What happens if the District staff discovers that I have provided false information on the Enrollment Application form or other information required for the enrollment process?

If the District discovers that you have provided false information on the Enrollment Application form or other information required by the enrollment process, the District will revoke your child's assignment and you must reapply for a school for your child to attend.

30.ÜÜ What can I do if I am not satisfied with the District's decision to assign my child to a particular school?

If you are not satisfied with the school to which your child has been assigned through the 2002-2003 enrollment process, you may appeal that assignment by completing the Assignment Appeal form and sending it to the Educational Placement Center, 555 Franklin Street, Room 100, San Francisco, CA 94102.Ü The form must explain the reason or reasons for your appeal and must be received by the EPC within ten (10) working days of you being notified of your child's assignment.Ü A panel of staff and community representatives coordinated by the Office of Equity Assurance will review your appeal.Ü If your appeal is granted and there are seats available in the school, your child will be placed in the school.Ü If your appeal is granted and there are no seats available, your child will be placed in a waiting pool.Ü If seats become available, students will be randomly selected from that pool of students.

Attachment A

Alternative Elementary Schools

School	Focus
Alice Fong Yu	K-8, Total Immersion - Chinese
Argonne	Year Round Education
Buena Vista	Two Way Immersion - Spanish
Claire Lilienthal	K-8, Academic focus in Language Arts & Math, & Two-way Immersion - Korean
Clarendon ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜ JBBP	Restructured Japanese Culture and Language program
ÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜÜ Second Community	Hands-on project based curriculum
Dr Charles Drew	Early Childhood Education
Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy	Integrating democracy, citizenship, and the arts in all curriculum areas
John Swett	Visual & Performing Arts
Lakeshore	Interdisciplinary approach to teaching the whole child
Lawton	K-8, Back-to-Basics/Traditional
New Traditions	Visual & Performing Arts
Rooftop	K-8, Visual & Performing Arts
San Francisco Community	K-8, Project Based Learning
Twenty-First Century	K-8, Back-to-Basics
Yick Wo	Science Education & Creative Arts

Elementary Schools with Alternative Programs

School	Focus
Alvarado	Two-way Immersion - Spanish
Fairmount	Two-way Immersion - Spanish
Spring Valley	Life and Physical Science
West Portal	Two-way Immersion - Chinese
William DeAvila	Traditional Japanese Culture and Language Program

Alternative Middle Schools

School	Focus
Dr Martin Luther King, Jr.	Math, Science & Technology
Gloria R Davis	Math, Science & Technology
Horace Mann	Cultural & Environmental Awareness

Middle Schools with Alternative Programs

School	Focus
Herbert Hoover	Two-way Immersion - Chinese & Two-way Immersion - Spanish
James Lick	Two-way Immersion - Spanish
Enola Maxwell	Visual & Performing arts

Alternative High Schools

School	Focus
International Studies Academy	Global Studies
John OÌConnell	Technology and Career Paths
Lowell	Traditional Academics
Phillip & Sala Burton	Math, Science & Technology
Raoul Wallenberg	Traditional Academics & Language Arts
School of the Arts	Visual & Performing Arts
Thurgood Marshall	Math, Science & Technology

High School with Alternative Program

School	Focus
Galileo	Science & Technology