Conversion Plan Would Meet Demand for Specialty Schools

Now this is interesting! Too bad we (CCPS) don't have any "under-enrolled" schools that we could turn into academies.

By Nelson Hernandez
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, July 3, 2008; Page PG03

The Prince George's County Board of Education endorsed a plan last week to convert five underenrolled schools into specialized academies to create more space for its popular language immersion and Montessori programs.

The move is an attempt to relieve pressure on the long waiting lists that have formed for admission to academically successful programs such as the Robert Goddard and John Hanson French immersion and Montessori programs. In a presentation Thursday night, Superintendent John E. Deasy said the school system was able to meet 25 percent of the demand for language immersion programs and 10 percent of the demand for studio, visual and performing arts programs.

In May, the specialty schools were the focus of a debate over the "tag along" policy, under which siblings are automatically admitted to a school once a family wins the admissions lottery. Proponents say the policy helps keep siblings together; opponents say it unfairly restricts admission to the programs to a few lucky families. The school board sidestepped a decision by asking Deasy to come back with options that would make more seats available for the programs.

Read more HERE