Advanced Study Academies Admissions Information October 2013

1. Advanced Study Academies Admissions Information October 2013

2. Welcome We appreciate your interest in our Advanced Study Academies.

3. JPPSS Advanced Study Academies Serving Pre K through 5th grade East Bank • Airline Park Academy • Metairie Academy West Bank • Gretna No.2 Academy • Marrero Academy

4. JPPSS Advanced Study Academies Serving 6th through 12th grades East Bank • Haynes Academy West Bank • Ruppel Academy (6-8) • Thomas Jefferson High School (9-12) District wide • Patrick Taylor Science & Technology Academy

5. Advanced Study AcademiesRecognized for Excellence • 4 Blue Ribbon Schools • Gretna No.2 • Metairie Academy • Patrick Taylor • Haynes Academy • Lauded in Newsweek & U.S. News as among America’s Best High Schools • National Merit Finalists/Semifinalists • All A rated by the LA Dept. of Ed.

6. How are they Advanced? • Selective admissions • Students work at least one grade level above their age cohort.

7. Admissions ProcessApplication & Screening Phase All applicants must • produce proof of residency in Jefferson Parish • Hand deliver a completed application and required documents to 501 Manhattan Blvd. in Harvey. • Meet the requirements stated in the Admissions Policies and Procedures in order to qualify for the testing phase.

8. Qualifying for TestingFor Pre-K through 1st Grade Submit a completed application plus • Proof of residency in Jefferson Parish • Child’s birth certificate You will receive a letter indicating the date, time, and location of testing.

9. Qualifying for TestingFor 2nd Grade through 5th Grade Submit a completed application plus • Proof of residency in Jefferson Parish • Child’s birth certificate • Child’s most recent report card You will receive a letter indicating the date, time, and location of testing.

10. Qualifying for TestingFor 6th Grade through 11th Grade Submit a completed application plus • Proof of residency in Jefferson Parish • Child’s most recent two years final report cards showing qualifying grades • Child’s most recent two years of standardized tests showing qualifying scores

11. What are qualifying report card grades? • Report cards submitted for those applying for grades 2 through 5 are used for proper grade testing and placement. Grades are not screened. • Report cards submitted for those applying for grades 6 through 11 must demonstrate no grades lower than a “C” in the subjects of reading, English, math, science, and social studies.

12. What are qualifying test scores for applying for grades 6 through 11? • If submitting LEAP/iLEAP scores, the student must have scored Mastery or Advanced in both English and math in both of the most recent two years of testing. • If submitting EOC (End of Course) test scores, English and math scores should demonstrate ratings of “Good” or “ Excellent.”

13. What are qualifying test scores for applying for grades 6 through 11? • If submitting scores from standardized tests that report in national percentile rankings, the student must have scored at the 85th percentile as a composite score for both years. (Ex.: TerraNova, Stanford, Iowa, ERB, PLAN, Explore, etc.) • If submitting standardized tests scores from other states or those that do not report out in a national percentile ranking, we determine qualification through use of equivalencies to rubrics from LA state testing. Submitted scores must represent achievement levels above the Basic level.

14. Testing Phase • All testing personnel are JPPSS employees. • All are certified teachers and experienced test administrators. • All receive annual training specifically for the Advanced Study Academies admissions tests. • Testing monitors are present in the testing areas in order to ensure that testing protocols and security are maintained.

15. Testing Phase Students applying for Pre K through 2nd grades are tested individually, by appointment. • Woodcock Johnson Brief Achievement • Parents may not accompany students into the testing area. • Please prepare your child for what to expect on testing day. • Pre K- K takes approximately 20 minutes • 1-2 takes approximately 30 minutes

16. Testing Phase Students applying for 3rd through 11th grades are tested in groups no larger than 20. • CogAT Cognitive Abilities Test • Timed (except entering 3rd graders) • Takes approximately 3 hours • The site coordinator will announce a target time to be back at the testing site to collect your child(ren).

17. Testing Phase • Practice materials are not provided. • Overview of tests are included in the admissions booklet. • Be sure to send a sweater or jacket for your child’s comfort on testing day. • Students taking the CogAT should bring dry snacks for break time. Liquids are not allowed in the testing areas.

18. Ranking and Notification • When the scores come in, students are ranked from the highest score to the 85th percentile by attendance zone school and grade level. • Students scoring below the 85th percentile are not eligible for admission. • Admission status letters and score reports are mailed out early to mid February to everyone who tested.

19. Ranking and Notification • Seats are allocated from the highest score on down until all openings in that grade level, in that school are filled. • All eligible students remaining are wait listed in rank order.

20. The Waiting List • Remains active until the 20th day of school for elementary grades and the 5th day of school for grades 6 through 11 • Does not carry over into the next school year • In attendance zone students head the wait list. • Out of attendance zone students are placed at the end of the wait list.

21. The Waiting List • If your child is wait listed, you will be informed of his/her position on the list on your admission status letter. • You may call periodically to check your child’s position on the list. We will only call when a seat opens for your child’s position.

22. Attendance Zones • Maps are included in the admissions booklet. • Maps are also available in the “Downloads” section of our website, jpschools.org/asa. • In attendance zone students get preference in the admission process. • Transportation is only provided for in attendance zone students.

23. Appeals Appeals windows are available at each phase of the admissions process. • Application & Screening Phase – for those ineligible to test • Testing Phase – for those with concerns regarding occurrences on the day of testing • Ranking & Notification Phase – for those ineligible for admission

24. Appeals • Appeals forms are given at the time of application submission • Appeals forms may also be accessed on our website jpschools.org/asa under “Downloads” • Must be hand delivered to our office at 501 Manhattan Blvd. in Harvey • Must be turned in by the deadline for that appeals phase as stated on the form

25. Other Important Information • Admissions to Advanced Study Academies is handled exclusively by the ASA Admissions Office in the JPPSS Administration Building. • School based personnel play no role in the admissions process. • For information regarding Open Houses, school specific programs, etc., please visit the individual schools’ websites which may be found via the jpschools.org website.

26. Questions ?

27. Contact Information • Julia.Johns@jppss.k12.la.us • Phone – (504) 349-7792 • jpschools.org/asa

28. Thank You For your support of Jefferson Parish Public Schools!