David Prouty High School

ADMISSION POLICY

DAVID PROUTY HIGH SCHOOL CHAPTER 74 PROGRAMS

I. INTRODUCTION

An admission process is necessary for vocational technical programs for which there are more applicants than openings. A process is necessary to determine which applicants may most benefit from such educational opportunities. All applicants to the vocational technical education programs for grades nine through twelve at David Prouty High School will be evaluated using the selection criteria contained in this Admission Policy. 

The Spencer-East Brookfield School Committee approved this policy on November 9, 2021

II. EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY

David Prouty High School’s Chapter 74 programs admit students and makes available to them its advantages, privileges and courses of study without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. If there is a student with limited English proficiency, a qualified staff member will assist the applicant in completing any necessary forms and assist in interpreting during the admission process upon the request of the applicant.

Disabled students will receive all documented accommodations and/or modifications during the entire application and admission process. Information on limited English proficiency and/or disability will not affect the applicant’s admission to the vocational technical education program.

III. TRANSFER STUDENTS

Applications from students who are enrolled in a state-approved (Chapter 74) vocational technical high school program in another school (transfer students) will be considered for admission (including admission during the school year) if they relocate from their current school and wish to pursue the same program of study at David Prouty High School. Their applications will be evaluated using their grades, attendance, and conduct record from the sending school.

IV. SELECTION CRITERIA

All ninth grade students will participate in a half school year exploratory program designed to help them learn about their talents and interests relative to the programs and pathways offered at David Prouty High School.  Vocational technical program teachers evaluate students during the exploratory program. Students explore each vocational technical program for approximately fifteen school days. At the end of this exploratory period, each student selects a program of choice, as well as a second and third choice. Students who enter David Prouty High School in grade ten may explore vocational technical programs that have openings before making a program selection. 

Students are evaluated and graded by each shop teacher during the period of exploration. If the number of enrollees seeking a particular program exceeds the number of openings, the evaluative grades received by the students rank order would determine the enrollee or enrollees who are placed in the particular program.

Each licensed vocational teacher evaluates students during the approximately three weeks in each program. They are evaluated and scored (total of 0-100 points) on program grades received for the week (25 points), attendance (25 points), discipline/conduct (25 points) and recommendations from vocational technical instructors (25 points).

A maximum of 200 points could be earned in each program.  Four Chapter 74 programs will be explored, for a maximum total of 800 points.

V. SELECTION PROCESS AND WAIT LIST

Students are admitted into the program of their choice based on the point total they received in all programs combined. For example, a student with a point total of 592 would be admitted before a student with a point total of 590. If a shop fills, based on point total, before a student gets his/her first choice, the guidance counselor then moves to the student’s second or third choice depending upon whether there is an opening in the shop. Again, the student is admitted based upon overall point total. If a student is not placed in the second or third choice shop because the shops were filled by students with higher point totals, the guidance counselor will meet with the student and present a list of the programs and pathways with openings that the student explored and ask the student to choose one of them.

The process continues until all students are placed.  After placement, students finish the Exploratory class and continue to the shop in which they were placed for the remainder of the school year.  

Students who wish to be placed on a wait list for a preferred program may do so.  Any openings filled from the wait list must be filled by point order, with the students with higher point totals having the first opportunities to join the programs.

VI. TRANSFER PROCESS

Students who wish to transfer from one shop to another during ninth and tenth grade may apply for transfer. Transfer requests will be considered subject to the availability of openings in the requested shops. Each transfer applicant will be interviewed and counseled individually to determine the fit.

VII. REVIEW

The applicant's parent(s)/guardian(s), upon receipt of a letter from David Prouty High School indicating that the applicant was not accepted into a particular program, or was placed on a wait list for a particular program, may request a review of the decision by sending a letter requesting a review to the Principal within thirty days of the receipt of the rejection/wait list letter. The Principal will respond in writing to the letter with the findings of the review within thirty days.