For parents of fifth-graders in Cherry Hill’s public schools, come February, it’s time to decide on a middle school choice for the 2013–2014 school year.
Such has been the routine since 1999 when Rosa International Middle School re-opened following an enrollment climb, said District Spokeswoman Susan Bastnagel.
“It was done that way as an alternative to redistricting,” Bastnagel said. “Students are assigned to Beck or Carusi based on where they live. If they want to, a family can opt to have their student apply for open enrollment at Rosa.”
There is a maximum enrollment number established each year, she said, and if applications exceed it, a lottery is held.
An information meeting will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. at Rosa International Middle School, 485 Browning Lane, for students and parents from Barton, Johnson, Kilmer, Kingston, Knight and Paine elementary schools.
Students and parents from Cooper, Harte Mann, Sharp, Stockton and Woodcrest elementary schools can attend the meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 6 at 7 p.m.
The snow date, according to the district document, is set for Wednesday, Feb. 13.
The information night at Beck Middle School, 950 Cropwell Road, is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m., with a Monday, Feb. 11 snow date.
At Carusi Middle School, 315 Roosevelt Drive, the meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m., with a snow date of Feb. 19.
According to the document, applications for Rosa enrollments must be sent between Feb. 11 and Feb. 22 to Central Registration Office, Malberg Administration Building, 45 Ranoldo Terrace, Cherry Hill.
“Applicants not initially offered admission shall be assigned a place on a waiting list, based on their lottery number,” the document reads. “Openings subsequently arising shall be filled from the waiting list in the order determined by the lottery.”
As Rosa is smaller than the other middle schools, Bastnagel said, most years a lottery has to be held.
All of the schools follow the Common Core Standards for curriculum, she said.
Through the years, there has been a geographical attendance pattern, she said, with most of the applications for Rosa enrollment come from students that live closest to the school.
“All three of our middle schools are excellent middle schools,” said Bastnagel.
For more information and to read the full PDF document, visit www.cherryhill.k12.nj.us.
