Academy at Middle Fork

Admissions Policy

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Appalachian State University Academy at Middle Fork
Admissions Policy

I. Introduction

The Appalachian State University Academy at Middle Fork (hereinafter "Academy") recognizes the need for consistent, open, and transparent admissions practices. The Academy at Middle Fork will adhere to the legal requirements set forth in N.C.G.S. 116-239.5 et seq. (hereinafter "the Statute"), as it may be amended from time to time. The Academy at Middle Fork  shall not limit admissions based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity and expression, political affiliation, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or sexual orientation. The purpose of this Admissions Policy is to define the procedures that shall apply regarding all admissions at the Academy at Middle Fork.

II. Policy Scope

This policy shall apply to all faculty, staff, students, and applicants of the Academy at Middle Fork.

III. Enrollment Plan

Enrollment at the Academy at Middle Fork will be determined exclusively by Appalachian State University (hereinafter "University"). The Chancellor or designee will determine each year the availability of total seats and the availability of seats for each class. All students residing in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School District who are eligible as defined in the Statute and Section V.A of this policy shall be considered for enrollment.

IV. Admission Committee

  1. The Admission Committee (hereinafter "Committee") oversees all aspects of the admissions process.

  2. The Committee shall include three members: the Academy at Middle Fork principal, who shall serve as chair; one faculty member from the University's Reich College of Education (hereinafter "RCOE"), appointed by the Dean of RCOE (hereinafter "Dean"); and one additional person, appointed by the Dean. The Committee will keep records of all admissions decisions and report to the Chancellor or designee when requested.

  3. Members of the Committee will maintain all applicant, student, and parent and/or guardian information in the strictest confidence pursuant to applicable law, University policy, and Academy at Middle Fork policy. No information received during the application process will be discussed with any individual who is not a member of the Committee or who does not have a need to know. All applications and information received related to an application will be considered property of the Academy at Middle Fork and will not be released to any individual, committee, agency, or other entity unless required by the laws of the State of North Carolina, University policy, Academy at Middle Fork policy, or an order from a court of competent jurisdiction.

V. Selection Procedures

  1. The Committee shall determine enrollment eligibility in accordance with N.C.G.S. 116-239.9, as it may be amended from time to time. Any child who resides in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School District shall be eligible to attend the Academy at Middle Fork if the child meets at least one of the following criteria:
    1. Any child assigned to a low-performing school, as defined by N.C.G.S. 115C-105.37 at the time of the student's application.
    2. Any child who did not meet expected growth in the prior school year based on one of the following indicators:
      1. Grades;
      2. Observations;
      3. Diagnostic and formative assessments;
      4. State assessments; or
      5. Other factors, including reading on grade level.
    3. Any child who is the sibling of a child eligible under subsection 1 or 2 above.
    4. Applicants for kindergarten shall be eligible for admission if (a) they attend a pre-kindergarten program at, or would be eligible to enroll in, a low-performing school as set forth in subsection 1 above;  (b) if they demonstrate that they are at risk for meeting expected growth based on any of the indicators set forth in subsection 2 above; or (c) if they qualify under subsection 3 above.

  2. On a yearly basis, the Committee shall determine the enrollment period as well as any application deadlines and related procedures. The Committee shall publish information regarding the enrollment period and applicable deadlines in multiple sources within the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School District.

  3. Student selection shall be based upon the following:
    1. Applicant eligibility as defined pursuant to the Statute and Section V.A of this policy;
    2. Timeliness of the application;
    3. Capacity of the program, class, grade level, or building; and
    4. The order in which the application is received.

  4. The Committee, at its discretion, may maintain a waiting list. See Section VIII below.

  5. Parents or guardians of students currently attending the Academy at Middle Fork will be advised by letter (hereinafter "Continuation Letter") from the Academy at Middle Fork that they must notify Academy at Middle Fork staff of their intent to continue their child(ren) as students of the Academy at Middle Fork. Parents or guardians of rising kindergarteners who are admitted to attend the Academy at Middle Fork will also receive a Continuation Letter. If a parent or guardian fails to respond by the date specified in the Continuation Letter, the Academy at Middle Fork shall attempt to contact the parent or guardian to determine the intent to continue the student(s).

  6. In the event there is a question regarding an applicant's or student's eligibility based on residence or domicile, the Committee will review the application pursuant to the Residency and Domicile Guidelines attached as Appendix 1 to this policy.

VI. Appeal

  1. Any applicant not selected for admission to the Academy at Middle Fork may appeal that decision within three (3) business days after notification of the decision. The appeal shall be submitted in writing to the Office of the Dean of RCOE and explain in detail the reasons for the appeal. The appeal must be based on one or more of the following grounds: (1) the Committee's review process was materially flawed; (2) the Committee's decision was clearly erroneous; and/or (3) the Committee's decision was clearly erroneous.

  2. The Dean of RCOE, or the Dean's designee, shall serve as the designated appeal officer

  3. The Dean shall review the appeal submission, including any supporting documentation, and may consult with the Committee as needed. The Dean shall review the appeal to determine to determine, based on the grounds set forth above, whether to approve or overturn the Committee's decision. The applicant will be notified of the decision in writing within ten (10) business days after receipt of the appeal request. The Dean's determination regarding an application is final.

VII. Other Provisions Relating to Admissions

  1. Any parent or guardian who makes application for a student must provide all required documents to the Admissions Committee establishing the student's enrollment eligibility. (See Section V.A above.) If the documents are not recieved by the deadline set by the Committee, the student's name will be removed from consideration but may be considered at a later date if and when the parent or guardian provides the required documentation. To assist any parent or guardian, parents or guardians may sign a waiver authorizing the Academy at Middle Fork to obtain the necessary academic records from a child's current school. This waiver should be signed at the time of application.

  2. Students who have been suspended or expelled from another charter, private or public school will not be considered for admission until such time as the student would be eligible to return to the school from which the student was suspended or expelled.

  3. If a student fails to enroll after five (5) days into the first semester, the student will be dropped from the enrollment list. Parents and/or guardians will be required to repeat the application process.

  4. If a student is granted admission based on false or misleading information, the Academy at Middle Fork may revoke the student's admission or, if enrolled, discharge the student at any time during the school year or at the end of the current school year. The Chancellor or designee will make a decision based on the recommendation of the Committee.

  5. If legal guardianship has been transferred from a natural parent to any other entity or individual, such guardianship will only be recognized and accepted when the guardianship is permanent and approved by a court of competent jurisdiction.

  6. All students must meet the eligibility requirements for school admission established by the State, including immunization and health assessments. See the Academy at Middle Fork's Immunization and Health Requirements for Admission Policy for additional guidance.

  7. Once enrolled at the Academy at Middle Fork, a student shall not be required to reapply in subsequent enrollment periods, unless the student has previously withdrawn from the Academy at Middle Fork.

  8. A family may submit multiple applications concurrently; each application will be considered to have been filed at the same time.

VIII. Waiting Lists

If the Admissions Committee, in its discretion, decides to maintain a waiting list, the following shall apply:

  1. No student will be included on the Academy at Middle Fork’s waiting list unless the student is eligible to be enrolled if admission were to be granted.

  2. After the first day of the school year, if the Academy at Middle Fork is not at capacity or when vacancies occur by a student leaving the Academy at Middle Fork for whatever reason, the Committee may agree to admit a student from the waiting list. Any decision to consider an applicant after the first day of the school year is in the sole discretion of the Committee. This policy shall govern the wait list application process and any decisions to admit applicants from the wait list.

  3. Applicants on the waiting list who were not admitted during the school year of their initial application must reapply for admission in succeeding years.

IX. Authority

N.C.G.S. 116, Article 29A (sections 116-239.5 et seq.)

X. Original Effective Date

April 16, 2018

XI. Revision Dates

November 26, 2018

Appendix 1: Residency and Domicile Guidelines

In the event there is a question regarding an applicant’s or student’s residency or domicile as noted in Section V.F of this policy, the following provisions shall apply:

  1. The residence of a student under 18 years of age is presumed to be the domicile of his or her parents, legal guardian, or legal custodian as defined by the General Statutes of North Carolina. Domicile requires the intent to abandon one's prior home and remain in the new location as a permanent home for an indefinite period.

  2. Domicile for the purpose of school admission will be determined by the following criteria:
    1. In the event that a student's parents are divorced or separated and physical custody has been given to only one parent, the student's domicile follows that of the parent who has been granted physical custody.
    2. If physical custody has not been determined or has been granted jointly to both parents, or if the custodial parent wishes the student to attend school in the non-custodial parent's system of residence, then the parents must jointly agree on which residence will be used to determine the student's domicile. The selected residence must be submitted in writing to the principal.
    3. The selection may not be changed during the school year unless the parents satisfy the Academy at Middle Fork's policies on transfers and releases.
    4. In the event that the parents cannot agree on which residence will be used to determine the student's domicile for eligibility purposes, school officials shall use the residence of the parent with physical custody of the student at the time of application.
    5. A student who is not a domiciliary of the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School District is eligible to attend if all of the three following criteria (a, b, and c below) apply:
      1. The student resides with an adult who is not a parent, legal custodian, or legal guardian but who is a domiciliary of the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School District because of one of the following:
        1. The death, serious illness, or incarceration of the student’s parent or legal guardian.
        2. The abandonment by the parent or legal guardian of the complete control of the student as evidenced by the failure to provide substantial financial support and parental guidance.
        3. Abuse or neglect by the parent or legal guardian.
        4. The physical or mental condition of the parent or legal guardian is such that he or she cannot provide the student with adequate care and supervision.
        5. The relinquishment of physical custody and control of the student by the student's parent or legal guardian upon the recommendation of the North Carolina Department of Social Services or the Division of Mental Health.
        6. The loss or un-inhabitability of the student’s home as a result of a natural disaster.
        7. The parent or legal guardian is one of the following:
          1. On active military duty and is deployed out of the local school administrative unit in which the student is domiciled. For purposes of this requirement, the term "active duty" does not include periods of active duty for training for less than 30 days.
          2. A member or veteran of the uniformed services who is severely injured and medically discharged or retired, but only for a period of one year after the medical discharge or retirement of the parent or guardian.
          3. A member of the uniformed services who dies on active duty or as a result of injuries sustained on active duty, but only for a period of one year after death. For purposes of this requirement, the term "active duty" is as defined in N.C.G.S. 115C-407.5
      2. The student is:
        1. Not currently under a term of suspension or expulsion from a school for conduct that could have led to a suspension or an expulsion from the Academy at Middle Fork, or
        2. Currently under a term of suspension or expulsion from a school for conduct that could have led to a suspension or an expulsion from the Academy at MIddle Fork and is identified as eligible for special education and related services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1400, et seq. (2004).
      3. The caregiver adult and the student’s parent, guardian, or legal custodian have each completed and signed separate affidavits that do all of the following:
        1. Confirm the qualifications set out in this subsection establishing the student’s residency;
        2. Attest that the student’s claim of residency in the unit is not primarily related to attendance at the Academy at Middle Fork; and
        3. Attest that the caregiver adult has been given and accepts responsibility for educational decisions for the student. 

          Eligibility under this requirement is only available if reasonable evidence of the deployment, medical discharge, retirement, or death and/or evidence of current eligibility is tendered with the affidavits.

  3. A student who is homeless is eligible to attend the Academy at Middle Fork if his or her school of origin was in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School District, and meets the other criteria in this policy. The school of origin is defined as the school the student attended before losing permanent housing or the school in which the student was last enrolled, including a preschool.

  4. In determining whether a student meets the domicile or residence requirements of this policy, school personnel shall consider the actual address of a participant in the North Carolina Address Confidentiality Program established by N.C.G.S. Chapter 15C, but such address will remain confidential in accordance with the law.