Entrance, Date and Age
No pupil may be enrolled in the kindergarten or first grade whose fifth or sixth birthday does not occur on or before the tenth (10th) day of September of the school year in which the child registers to enter school. A student who meets the six-year-old requirement, but who has not completed a kindergarten program, will be tested and placed at the discretion of the administration. A birth certificate and an immunization record are required for admission to the Lockwood Schools. The District will not assign or admit any child who has reached his/her nineteenth (19th) birthday on or prior to September 10th of the year in which the child is to enroll.

School Entrance

1. The District requires that a child's parents, legal guardian, or legal custodian present to the school, within forty (40) days of enrollment, proof of identity of the child. (Birth certification or certified transcript).
2. In accordance with the Montana Immunization Law, a student will not be admitted who has not been immunized against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, poliomyelitis, rubella, mumps, and measles (except that pertussis vaccination is not required for person seven [7] years or older). If the student qualifies for conditional attendance or an exemption is filed as defined by Montana law, immunization may not be required.

Placement

The goal of Lockwood Schools shall be to place students at levels and in settings that will enhance the probability of student success. Developmental testing, together with other relevant criteria including, but not limited to, health, maturity, emotional stability, and developmental disabilities may be considered in the placement of all students. Final disposition of all placement decisions rest with the principal, subject to review by the Superintendent and the Board.

Entrance, Placement and Transfer

Transfer from Accredited Schools

District policies regulating pupil enrollment from other accredited elementary and secondary schools are designed to protect the educational welfare of the child and of other children enrolled in the Lockwood School system.

Elementary Grades (K-8): Any student transferring into the District will be admitted and placed on a probationary basis for a period of two weeks.

Should any doubt exist with teacher and/or principal as to grade and level placement of the student, the student shall be subject to an educational assessment to determine appropriate grade and level placement.

During the two-week probationary period, the student will be subject to observation by the teacher and building principal.

Transfer from Non-accredited Schools:

Any student transferring into the Lockwood Schools will be admitted and placed on a probationary basis for a period of two weeks to thirty days. All information provided to the school will be evaluated by Lockwood School personnel. Parents will be asked to provide as much of the following as is available about the previous school:

1. Documentation of legal status of the school (registration with the county superintendent in Montana).
2. Name, location, and administrator/teacher
3. Subjects taught
4. Sample lesson plans and attendance records
5. Curriculum content outline
6. Assessment procedures (tests, portfolios, norm-referenced tests), which would support a grade placement decision.
7. Any other information that may be helpful in making placement which is in the best interest of the student. This could be academic strengths and weaknesses, social, emotional, or physical issues, and medical concerns.

In the absence of sufficient records, assessment tools will be used by Lockwood School personnel to make a grade placement. If a parent disagrees with this placement an appeal can be made to the Board of Trustees.

Entrance, Placement and Transfer

Legal References: