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

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 student will receive an excellent education.

When choosing a school, parents should consider several things:

• Transportation — busing is provided only for children attending their neighborhood schools, who live too far away to walk.
• Time — what are the parental commitments 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, 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, or an alternative or charter school is right for your child, visit and talk to teachers, come to open houses, etc. Make sure you understand the program.

Choices and possibilities for parents:

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

Neighborhood schools

The starting point. There are many advantages to enrolling your child in your neighborhood school. Neighborhood schools emphasize developing strong educational programs that reflect the needs and interests of children and families in your 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 with a scheduled visit. You may also transfer to a different neighborhood school, if you feel it better meets your child’s needs.

Alternative schools

4J’s alternative schools develop programs that build on a particular theme or approach to education. These schools include language immersion programs in French, Spanish and Japanese, a magnet arts elementary school, a technology-focused middle school program, and other distinct approaches to K-12 education. Because space is limited in the alternative programs, enrollment is by lottery. Alternative schools do not have attendance boundaries; all enrollment is through lottery application.

Charter schools

Charter schools are an experiment in increasing parent choice and enhancing student achievement. They 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 excluded from many state statutes and rules (for example, only half of a charter school’s teacher must be certified by the state). In exchange for this freedom from regulation, the public charter school guarantees certain levels of student performance. Charter schools are independent legal entities governed by their own board of directors. They must provide an equitable enrollment opportunity for any interested students. For more information about the three public charter schools, you may contact them directly.

• The Network Charter School (grades 6-12): 344-1229, www.networkcharterschool.org
• Ridgeline Montessori Public Charter School (grades K-8): 681-9662, www.ridgeline.org
• The Village School (grades K-8): 345-7285, http://www.eugenevillageschool.org

A full listing of 4J’s schools is available in the SCHOOLS section of the website. For more information on all school programs, see the 4J Schools Guide (downloadable PDF).

The application process & important dates

To enroll your child in a school other than your neighborhood school for 2008-09, follow this process:

• Starting in January 2008, pick up an application at any school, at the 4J Education Center, 200 North Monroe Street, or online at www.4j.lane.edu (see PDF download below).
• Research or visit school programs; schools hold open houses, information nights and other events during the weeks of Jan. 28–31, 2008 & Feb. 25–29, 2008.
• Return the application no later than March 21 to the 4J Education Center.
• When schools have limited openings, students will be accepted based on a lottery conducted at the 4J Education Center; lottery results will be available starting April 4.
• Parents do not need to visit a school for their child to be accepted at that school.
• For the 2007–08 year: Transfers between neighborhood schools and entry into alternative schools is possible as space is available. For transfer information, call 687-3481. For alternative school entry information, please contact alternative schools directly.