Opening of Schools Report

Opening of Schools Report Fall Housing Counts: Actuals vs. Projections All numbers are as of 9/30/08 6,294 students housed in grades P-8, an increase of 63 students from last year. –4,193 students housed in the elementary schools –1,976 students housed in the middle schools –74 students at Park School –32 students at the Rice Education Center –318 students at the JEH Education Center K-8 enrollments were projected to decreased by 9 students, however, there was an actual increase of 59 students.

Opening of Schools Report Ethnic Distribution for All Students 42% White 32% Black 15% Hispanic 5% Asian 5% Multi-racial

Opening of Schools Report Housing Counts and Year to Year Change by School and Grade

Opening of Schools Report Kindergarten Enrollments There are 787 kindergarteners enrolled –74 more than last year –102 more than projected Of the 785 kindergarteners (excluding Park), 87% (684) had prior pre-k experience. –Home or center day-care (16%) –Half-day preschool or Head Start (42%) –Full-day preschool or Head Start (29%)

Opening of Schools Report Low Income and Free/Reduced Lunch Eligibility by School 41% of the district’s students are designated low income 2,712 students are eligible for free/reduced lunch –2,200 students are eligible for free lunch –492 students are eligible for reduced lunch

Opening of Schools Special Services and Bilingual Education Special education enrollment (ages 3-14) decreased from 1,031 students in to 917 students in 08-09, an 11% decrease. There are 572 English language learners district-wide –292 in the Two-Way Immersion program –70 in the middle school TBE program –112 in the ESL program –14 in bilingual self-contained classes –84 for whom their parents/guardians have waived services (15%)

Opening of Schools Report Permissive Transfers Permissive transfer applications for 202 students were received, 87 were selected, and 73 accepted. –282 students attend a school other than their attendance area school on a new or existing permissive transfer.

Opening of Schools Report Magnet Selections Magnet school applications for 329 students were received, 231 selected, and 189 accepted. African Centered Curriculum program - applications for 43 students were received, 33 approved, and 26 accepted. –83 students participate in the program K-4 Two-Way Immersion program (English) - applications for 118 kindergarten students were received, 71 approved, and 60 accepted. An additional 59 ELL students are in the TWI program. –652 students participate in the program: 316 English dominant and 292 Spanish speaking ELLs and 44 reclassified students.

Opening of Schools Report Impact of Selections on 60% Guideline Starting with the selections for the school year, the selection criteria for permissive transfers, magnet schools, and magnet programs was changed to no longer include ethnicity. –Table C includes schools at or above the 60% Guideline in

Opening of Schools Report Retentions There were 20 retentions in grades K-8 for the school year, a decrease from the previous year when 24 students were retained.

Opening of Schools Report Student Residency Verification The residency officer conducted home visits for 278 students. –270 students are residents –8 students were found to be non-residents and their enrollment denied

Opening of Schools Report Transportation 2,159 students are eligible to ride the bus and 1,687 are assigned bus stops. Health Services 97.4% of the students were in full compliance with the state immunization and exam requirements as of 9/30/08. (IL School Code mandates 90% compliance.)

Opening of Schools Report D65 Family Center – Parent and Community Services Services include direct services to children 0-8 years of age, parent/child activities, and GED and ESL classes for parents. –0-3 year olds (145) –3-5 year olds (79) –5-8 year olds (160) –Parent child activities (196) –Parent GED and ESL classes (356) In addition, the Doorway to Learning childcare center was opened in April of 2008 –8 children –17 children currently

Opening of Schools Report Class Sizes The table provides the average class size for general education classrooms only (self-contained and private placement students are not included) The target classroom enrollment guidelines are provided as a reference. As of September 30, Dawes kindergarten was the only school and grade over the guideline. They were over by 1 student.

Opening of Schools Report Additional Information The Opening of Schools Report will be available on the district’s website at Go to the Information Services’ department page to see the current and previous years’ reports. Questions? Please contact Information Services at 847/