School Choice Information

Parents in the Eugene School District may choose their children’s school. The district’s school choice policy allows any student in the district to attend any 4J school, provided there is space available.

Explore the options! 4J Schools

4J schools strive to maintain an innovative, high-quality educational environment. The state and the district have established educational objectives for students that every school must address. However, schools may differ in philosophy and how they meet their objectives. Every district school has been encouraged to build upon its unique strengths and to develop innovative programs to meet student needs. No matter which school you choose, your child will receive an excellent education.

When choosing a school, parents should consider several things:

• Transportation—Busing is provided only for children who are attending their neighborhood schools, and live too far away to walk.
• Time—What parental commitments are required? All schools encourage active parent involvement. Some programs may require heavy participation.
• Style—How does the school operate? What are the educational and social philosophies of the principal and teachers? How does the school feel? How does the educational approach of the school match your child’s needs?

Finally, investigate—check out your neighborhood school. Find out what programs it has, and talk to the teachers and the principal. Ask yourself what you really want for your child. All neighborhood schools have progressive programs that allow children to go well beyond the basics. One of these may be just what you’re looking for. If you feel another neighborhood school, an alternative school or a charter school may be right for your child, explore that option through open houses, school visits, talking to teachers, and so on. Make sure you understand the program.

Choices and possibilities for parents:

1. Enroll in your neighborhood school.
2. Apply to another 4J school.
3. Apply to a public charter school within the district.

An important note on residence: A student and parent or guardian must reside within the Eugene School District boundaries before enrolling, applying for transfers or applying to alternative schools. Proof of residence is required. Look online or call 541-790-7571 for boundary information.

Neighborhood schools

Find My School Enter your home address in the RLID Quick Look form to find your neighborhood schools.

The starting point. There are many advantages to enrolling your child in your neighborhood school. Each neighborhood school is unique, but all emphasize developing strong educational programs that reflect the needs and interests of children and families in their area. All neighborhood schools strive to constantly improve the overall educational experience, including student performance on state tests, exposure to specialist teachers, extracurricular activities, and parent and community involvement. The principal at your neighborhood school can share the school’s improvement goals for the year and tell you more about each program’s strengths. We suggest you start by getting to know your neighborhood school during an open house, or call to schedule a visit.

You may also transfer to a different neighborhood school, if you feel it better meets your child’s needs and there is space available at the school.

Alternative schools

4J’s alternative schools develop programs that build on a particular theme or approach to education. Alternative schools in the district include language immersion programs in French, Spanish and Japanese; an arts and technology K–8 school; and other approaches to K–12 education. Alternative schools have no attendance boundaries—families from all neighborhoods may request to have their child attend any school. Because space is limited in the alternative programs, enrollment is by lottery.

Charter schools

Charter schools are public schools that receive public funds under a written agreement — a charter — that outlines student performance goals and educational services the public charter school will provide. Charter schools are independent legal entities governed by their own board of directors, and are excluded from many state statutes and rules (for example, only half of a charter school’s teachers must be certified by the state). They must provide an equitable enrollment opportunity for any interested students. Charter schools have their own admission procedures — they do not accept 4J school choice forms and are not included in the 4J school choice lottery.

To learn more about one of the three public charter schools in this district, contact the school directly:

• The Network Charter School (grades 7–12):
  541-344-1229, www.networkcharterschool.org
• Ridgeline Montessori Public Charter School (grades K–8):
  541-681-9662, www.ridgeline.org
• The Village School (grades K–8):
  541-345-7285, www.eugenevillageschool.org

The application process & important dates

To enroll your child in a school other than your neighborhood school, follow this process:

• Transfers between neighborhood schools and entry into alternative schools is possible as space is available.
• Research or visit school programs. Schools will hold open houses, information nights and other events during the weeks of Jan. 25–28 and Feb. 22–26, 2010. Parents do not need to visit a school for their child to be accepted at that school. Activities are held at 4J's elementary, middle and high schools, as well as charter schools.
• School choice request forms will be available when the open enrollment period begins on Jan. 4, 2010. Print a school choice request form from this site, or pick one up at the 4J Education Center, Instruction Department (200 North Monroe Street). The form also is available in Spanish (en español). 
• Return the request form to the 4J Education Center, Instruction Department, 200 North Monroe St., by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 19, 2010.
• When schools have limited openings, students will be accepted based on a lottery conducted at the 4J Education Center on March 31, 2010.  Transfer requests received after March 19 at 5 p.m. may be accommodated if there is space available; otherwise the student will be placed on the school's waiting list.
• Questions?  Please call 541-790-7553.