Oakland Unified School District
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Enrollment Options Guide 2015-16
How to Choose a School For Your Child:
Visiting School Sites
Options Open Enrollment relies on parent’s choices of preferred schools to manage the placement of thousands of students
every year. In order to make informed choices we encourage parents to visit school sites and to research your options.
Here are some questions you may ask yourself when looking and comparing a set of potential schools to add to your shortlist.
Remember that visiting your school, getting acquainted with the principal and staff, and participating in any parent organization
will grant you the best chance to really get to know a school. While this booklet provides some important data that is very useful
to make informed decisions, you may only find out about little known successful programs and school sites when you visit the
school in person. Schedule visits during the Open House and School Tour events that sites will host in the months of November,
December and January, or by appointment at the schools you are interested in.
School Characteristics
YES
NO
Not Important
YES
NO
Not Important
YES
NO
Not Important
YES
NO
Not Important
Is the school near my house?
Can I access the school reliably with my current transportation?
Is the school accessible by public transportation? BART, AC Transit?
Is the school clean and organized? Is the play yard safe?
I like the neighborhood around the school.
Does the school have a diverse student population?
Can I get to school on time?
Am I comfortable with the size of the school or its classrooms?
Academics
I have reviewed the school’s test scores.
Are the school’s test scores rising over the last few years?
The school offers a variety of courses or academies.
The school has a Bilingual Program/Dual Language Program.
Supplemental Programs
The school has one or more afterschool programs.
The school offers visual arts.
The school offers performing arts.
The school offers sports programs.
The school offers music classes or programs.
The school has a garden.
The school has a library.
The school has a health center.
The students work with computers/technology.
School Culture
The school’s front office staff is welcoming.
There are strong parent groups.
The studen