File: ADE (pdf)
Adopted: February 13, 1997
Revised: April 24, 2001, May 28, 2002, September 9, 2003, August 24, 2004, February 27, 2024
SCHOOLS OF CHOICE
The Board is committed to providing high quality educational programs for all students . All BVSD schools are considered a school of choice and prepare students to meet or exceed the content standards in each subject area. All School District schools, except charter schools, implement the adopted curriculum or an approved alternative that meets or exceeds the content standards of the School District.
Definitions
Alternative education campus: Alternative education campus means a public school, including a charter school, that is designated by the State based on statutory criteria including that the school has a specialized mission and offers nontraditional methods of instruction delivery.
Charter school: A charter school is a public, non-sectarian, non-religious, non- home-based school within the School District that has received a charter from the Board as provided by state law. A charter school operates in accordance with the charter contract and Board Policy LBD and LBD-R.
Focus school program: Focus school programs include both educational programs in separate schools and identifiable programs (strands) within neighborhood schools. Focus school programs have a distinct theme or philosophy that may include varying instructional methodologies, different sequences for instruction, and supplementary content.
Neighborhood schools: Neighborhood schools are primarily available for the enrollment of students residing within the designated attendance boundaries approved by the Board. Students who reside outside a neighborhood school's attendance boundaries may also attend that neighborhood school, subject to the School District's open enrollment policy.
Seeking and Maintaining Focus School or Other Special Program Status
Proposals for focus school programs or other special program status may be initiated by School District leadership, School staff, parents, community members, and/or students and shall:
- prioritize improving student outcomes and access to opportunities.
- address an unmet educational need or ability to attract and retain students.
- consider overall School District enrollment, and seek to minimize impact on surrounding neighborhood schools.
- serve the needs of all students, including by seeking student enrollment that reflects the diversity of students in the School District.
- address any desired waivers of School District or State policies and how the school’s proposed alternative policy or practice will be consistent with educational, legal, and ethical concerns.
- provide essential information, including at least a description of the educational program, evidence of support for the program from staff, community and families, expected outcomes, evidence that the program will be effective, plans for program evaluation and staff development, and a description of required resources (personnel, facility, financial, and time).
Proposals generally must be provided no later than October 1st of the school year prior to the proposed program opening, unless specifically authorized by the Superintendent.
Proposals will be reviewed by a committee designated by the Superintendent. The Superintendent will inform the Board of such proposals, recommendations, and any need for Board action. For approved programs, the School District will create appropriate governance documents that explain the special programming aspects of the school or program.
Review
Consistent with Policy AED, the Board accredits all School District schools. In addition, the Board directs the Superintendent to review Focus Schools and any other special school programs on a regular basis to determine whether the special program remains relevant to the School District’s mission and needs, is being implemented with fidelity, and is achieving desired outcomes for students. The Board reserves the right to review the performance of any BVSD school at any time in order to assure that all schools are providing students with a high quality educational experience.
LEGAL REF.:
Colo. Const. Art. IX, Sect. 15 (Board has control of instruction)
C.R.S. § 22-30.5-101
C.R.S. 22-11-101 (Education Accountability Act of 2009)
C.R.S. 22-32-109 (1)(t) (Board to determine educational program)
CROSS REFS.:
JC, School Attendance Areas
JECC, Assignment of Students to Schools
End of File: ADE