Pasadena Unified 2014-2015 Open Enrollment Begins January 9

As Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) students begin the second semester of the 2013-2014 school year this week, it is also time for families to think about next school year. PUSD’s Open Enrollment application period for the 2014-2015 academic year begins January 9 and continues through February 6, 2014.

Open Enrollment is the district’s school of choice program that offers students the opportunity to attend schools with themed or specialized programs or a campus outside of their neighborhood school’s attendance boundaries. All students living within PUSD boundaries that will be entering kindergarten-11th grade in the 2014-2015 school year are eligible to participate in Open Enrollment. Families who live outside of district boundaries are also able to submit an application of interest on openenrollment.info.

“The schools of PUSD are dedicated to preparing students to be critical thinkers, creative problem solvers and strong communicators while reflecting the wealth of cultural, science and technological resources that make the Greater Pasadena area a desirable and distinctive choice for residents and businesses,” said PUSD Superintendent Jon R. Gundry, “Our schools offer themed learning for every age group to provide our students with a solid academic foundation, along with skills to be 21st century global citizens.”

Signature programs for the 2014-2015 school year that are available through Open Enrollment include:

Dual Language Immersion Programs

· Two K-5 Spanish Dual Language Immersion programs at San Rafael Elementary and Jackson Elementary Schools
· A K-5 Dual Language Immersion Program in Mandarin Chinese at Field Elementary School
· Dual Language Immersion Middle School Programs in sixth grade with Spanish at Blair School and Mandarin Chinese at Sierra Madre Middle School (New for 2014-2015)
MAGNET PROGRAMS
· A Spanish Dual Language Immersion and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Magnet at Jackson Elementary School (New for 2014-2015)
· A STEM Magnet Program at Washington Accelerated Elementary School (New for 2014-2015)
· The Washington STEAM Magnet Academy at Washington Middle School
· An Arts Magnet Program at Eliot Middle School (New for 2014-2015)

International Baccalaureate (IB) Programs

· The IB Primary Years Programme (Grades K-5) at Willard Elementary School
· The IB Middle Years Programme (Grades 6-10) and the IB Diploma Programme (Grades 11-12) at Blair School.

College and Career Pathways

· Ten themed high school academies that partner with local institutions and businesses to provide mentoring and workplace learning opportunities:
· Academy of Creative Industries Pathway at Marshall Fundamental School (New for 2014-2015)
· App Academy: Mobile, Web and Game Development at Pasadena High School
· Arts, Entertainment and Media Pathway at John Muir High School
· Building and Design Pathway at Rose City High School (New for 2014-2015)
· Business and Entrepreneurship Pathway at John Muir High School
· Creative Arts, Media and Design Pathway at Pasadena High School
· Culinary Arts and Hospitality Academy at Blair High School
· Engineering and Environmental Science Pathway at John Muir High School
· Health Careers Academy at Blair High School
· Law and Public Service Pathway at Pasadena High School

Permit Only Schools

· Don Benito Fundamental School
· Norma Coombs Alternative School
· Marshall Fundamental School

To participate in PUSD’s Open Enrollment, families need to complete the 2014-2015 application online at www.openenrollment.info. Applicants may indicate up to five school choices in order of preference. Open Enrollment closes on February 6. School placement is by random lottery and placement is not based on when an application is submitted. Families participating in Open Enrollment will be notified about their school placement by March 1, 2014.

Assistance and computers for Internet access to complete the online application are available on the following dates and locations:

PUSD Education Center, Room 240
351 South Hudson Avenue, Pasadena
Thursday, Jan. 9 (9 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
Tuesday, Jan. 14 (4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.)
Thursday, Feb. 6 (9 a.m. – 4 p.m.)

PUSD School Sites during School Hours
Thursday, Jan. 23
Thursday, Jan. 30
Thursday, Feb. 6

Families can learn more about PUSD and its schools by viewing the PUSD School Guide at gopusd.com/schoolguide or attending the PUSD First Choice Festival at the PUSD Education Center on Tuesday, January 14. For more information about the Open Enrollment process, timelines and answers to frequently asked questions, please visit www.openenrollment.info or call (626) 396-3600, ext. 88340.