Procedures for Placement and Transfer of
Middle School Students

The Board and administration of Portage Public Schools believe that middle school students should be assigned to a school based on the location of their permanent residence (i.e. where the child regularly resides and spends the night under the supervision of a parent or legal guardian). The Board of Education approves attendance boundaries after considering recommendations made by the District's administration. The District strives to provide a consistent set of high quality programs and services at each school site so that every student's academic needs can be appropriately addressed, under normal circumstances, at any middle school within the District's boundaries.

1. Attendance at an assigned school will be considered automatic unless the legal parent or guardian requests, in writing, that the District consider one (or more) special circumstance(s) that likely would impact the student's educational experience. The decision to allow a transfer to another District school site will be the responsibility of the Coordinator of Instructional Services. That decision will be based on a review of information provided by the parent or legal guardian and any other pertinent information that may be reasonably and legally obtained by the Coordinator concerning the student's needs.
2. A request for another building must be made for the full school year and will remain in effect unless changed by the parent through a written document or unless it becomes necessary to reduce numbers in a building to accommodate neighborhood enrollment.
3. Approved moves may be revoked if attendance or behavior issues are apparent, and it is determined by school personnel that returning to the home school would best serve the needs of the child.
4. Assignment to a particular classroom is the responsibility of the building principal.
5. Special Education programs and services for students with disabilities are regulated by legislation. Administrative rules determine maximum class size in these programs.

The request for a middle school other than the school assigned by the attendance area must be made by February 28, 2007. Parents will be notified as to the status of their request by March 31, 2007. Written requests will be considered after February 28, 2007, only with a valid extenuating circumstance. District residents will receive priority for placement before Non-Resident 501C Schools of Choice applications are accepted in 2007.

Transportation

Transportation will not be provided except for students who also attend the Curious Kids program. Riding the high school shuttle bus is not an option due to lost instructional time.

Questions may be directed to the Coordinator of Instructional Services (323-5148).

The application form is available on the district web site at by clicking here.