• ACCESS Academy Alternative Program 

     

    This link is a pdf version so you can have an idea of the questions

    Access Application for 2022-23 School Year  

     

     

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     Tentatively, the ACCESS admission process will open for grades 1-8 on February 16, 2022 and close April 15, 2022

     

    Eligibility Requirements:

    Applicant has scored at the 99th percentile or above on a nationally-normed assessment of Reading, Math, and/or Cognitive Ability

    The PPS Board resolution directs reviewers to consider this as a first criterion. The student must have a composite score at the 99th percentile to be considered for ACCESS. At this time, the score/s may be from a variety of valid normed assessments such as the ITBS for reading and math, the WISC-V, CogAt7, Ravens, NNAT3, Battelle, and Kaufman.  PPS has also transitioned to using OSAS (previously SBAC) or MAP as a data point for reading and math in formal TAG identification. The student must also have a demonstrated need for an alternative program.  See below. 

    List of Accepted Tests

    Applicant has a demonstrated need for an alternative program.

    ACCESS Academy was established in 2002 as an Alternative Program.  Therefore, a student must also meet eligibility as directed by the state requirements for alternative education. A “demonstrated need” requires the applicant’s family to identify criteria that would make their student eligible for placement in an alternative program.

    ACCESS FACT SHEETS 

    Chinese - English - Russian 

    Somali - Spanish- Vietnamese

     

    Want more information? Check out the ACCESS Website.

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    ACCESS Academy Admissions

    Process Questions and Answers for Educators and Parents

    Who is eligible to enroll in ACCESS Academy?

    •  Students in grades 1-8 who are PPS residents and meet two criteria:
      • Applicant has a composite score at the 99th percentile on a nationally-normed assessment of Reading, Math, and/or Cognitive Ability
        • Score/s may be from a variety of valid normed assessments. 
      • Applicant has demonstrated need and would benefit from placement in the ACCESS Program

     

    How do families apply for ACCESS?

      •  Complete and submit an ACCESS Application and supporting documents.

     

    How many open seats are there per grade level for the 2022-23 school year? * 

     

    Grade Level

     

    First

    		 TBD

    Second

    		TBD

    Third

    		 TBD

    Fourth

    		 TBD

    Fifth

    		 TBD

    Sixth

    TBD

    Seventh

    TBD

    Eighth

    TBD

     * Slots will be made available in Winter 2022.  Availability subject to change based on student transfer and family mobility. Please continue to apply even if the number of slots is a low number. 

    What is the lottery?

    • Parents will also be required to complete the PPS School Choice (SchoolMint) application through the Office of Enrollment and Transfer. A lottery will be conducted to choose which students will be accepted into open seats at ACCESS. A portion of seats will be reserved for applicants who meet income eligibility requirements and siblings of currently enrolled ACCESS students.  The remaining seats will be filled based on lottery numbers only.
    •  Students who are not placed because of lack of space will move to a waitlist, which remains in effect for the school year. Enrollment and Transfer Center staff will make waitlist offers based on the order determined by the lottery and space availability provided by the Principal of ACCESS.

     

    What happens if the student is eligible for ACCESS but does not get in?

    • If TAG identified, families may request a written Individual TAG Plan to best ensure the needs of the student are met. The building TAG Facilitator will provide guidance to teachers and support in the completion of the plan, per request. A TAG TOSA may also provide support to the TAG Facilitator to write the plan.

    When will parents receive lottery results?

    • Results will be communicated to parents 4-6 weeks after the application period closes in March 2022.

     

    Do students who applied to ACCESS in prior years have to apply again?

    • Yes.  However, students who were previously approved to ACCESS for the 2019-2020, 2020-2021, 2021-2022 school year, and were not chosen by the lottery, declined their slot, or moved away are not required to complete the ACCESS application to re-establish eligibility.  SchoolMint lottery applications are necessary for all applicants. Where you place the ranking of ACCESS does not matter on SchoolMint.  

     
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