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Maine RSU 21

Maine Regional School Unit 21

Arundel · Kennebunk · Kennebunkport

JCA - ENROLLMENT ASSIGNMENTS TO SPECIFIC SCHOOLS

  • Section J: Students

JCA - ENROLLMENT ASSIGNMENTS TO SPECIFIC SCHOOLS

The purpose of this policy is to provide information about the assignment of students to schools and the provision of transportation to the assigned school. 

I. School Assignments

A. Elementary School Assignments 

Students in kindergarten through grade 5 will be assigned to schools based on RSU 21 placement criteria, as determined by the Superintendent or their designee (the “ Assignment Rule”). Criteria for placement is available upon request. Notwithstanding the terms of the foregoing sentence, the Assignment Rule may be overridden in the following circumstances:

  1. Alternative placement is necessitated by  an Individual Education Program (I.E.P.) decision.

  2. Alternative placement would be in a particular child’s best interest as determined by the Superintendent or their designee.

  3. Alternative placement is necessary to balance school populations in numbers and/or make up, as determined by the Superintendent or their designee.
     

B. Middle School Assignments

Students in grades 6-8 residing in Kennebunk, or Kennebunkport will be assigned to the Middle School of the Kennebunks.  Arundel students grade 6 through 8 have the choice to attend Middle School of the Kennebunks or Thornton Academy Middle School. 

C. High School Assignments

Students in grades 9-12 residing in Kennebunk or Kennebunkport will be assigned to Kennebunk High School.  Students in grades 9-12 residing in Arundel will have their choice of any public or non-religious private school, with the parents responsible for paying any tuition and fees in excess of the state-approved tuition rate.

D. Parent/guardian Placement Requests

Any parent/guardian requests for placement in schools other than those assigned to them should be submitted to the Superintendent by June 1.

These requests will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis with the final decision being rendered by mid-August.

Placement requests will be granted on a year-to-year basis.  

II. Transportation Assignments

A. Placement via Parent/guardian Requests

Transportation for students in Kindergarten through grade 5 attending the school of their choice, when that school is out of their regularly-assigned area, shall be the responsibility of the parent or guardian of the student unless (i) the student can be picked up and dropped off at a an approved stop on a regular transportation route, (ii) space is available on the bus, and (iii) the stop meets the required safety expectations. The Transportation Manager will make the determination based on procedures related to Safety Expectations for bus stop locations.

B. Placement via School Assignments

All students assigned to a school through the enrollment process will be provided with transportation to and from school in accordance with transportation guidelines.

 

Legal Reference:

20-A M.R.S.A. § 1479 (2018)

Reviewed: 12/8/97

Amended: 06/11/01

Amended: 09/21/09

Amended: 08/15/11

Amended: 06/21/16

Amended: 3/6/23

  • Section J