Print

[Hilary]

My 5th grader just got this letter in the mail:

"Dear Parent/Guardian,

Joseph C. Wilson Foundation Academy is opening its doors to accept 6th graders for the 2010-2011 school year! Wilson Foundation has a tradition of academic excellence as demonstrated by local, state and national recognition for student performance.  This recognition is a reflection of a successful, rigorous academic program; one designed to bring out the very best in all of our students.  Wilson Foundation seeks to strengthen its academic program by becoming a full school-wide International Baccalaureate (IB) school.  The Board of Education of the Rochester City School District has approved the plan to offer our community's youngest students the opportunity for a world-class education by redesigning Wilson Foundation into a K-8 school over the next few years.  Wilson Foundation has applied to the IB Governing Organization to receive authorization to offer the IB Middle Years Program for grades six, seven and eight; with future plans to implement the IB Primary Years Program for grades kindergarten through five within the next few years.

Wilson Foundation Academy is committed to providing an environment that promotes academic excellence, fosters an appreciation for others and develops a sense of personal responsibility.  We are both excited and ready to provide your 5th grade child with a strong foundation for academic, social and emotional readiness needed to successfully transition to a new and exciting phase of your personal and academic development.

If you are interested in becoming part of the Wilson Foundation Family, please complete the enclosed Interest Application and return to the Office of Student Placement by April 23, 2010. Your child's current 5th grade teacher must complete the required Teacher Feedback Form and forward directly to Student Placement.

Exciting experiences await you and your child at Wilson Foundation Academy, where our mission is excellence for all students in all aspects of their development."

This is accompanied by an application form that ask these questions:
"What personal qualities do you possess which will enable you to be successful in a rigorous academic program such as provided at Wilson Foundation Academy?"

and

"If you were granted two wishes, what would they be?"
and asks parent/guardians to explain their interest in WIlson and "why you support your child's application."

The form says 5th graders will be assessed based on their teacher recommendation, application essays, and additional information "that demonstrates applicant's commitment to academic achievement and school and/or community involvement."

There is a Student Agreement and Parent Agreement that have to be signed as part of the application, and a teacher recommendation form.

-----

Interesting. It seems like they are positioning themselves as an academic magnet. I wonder how that will work when they add the younger grades.

[Elizabeth]

I would imagine in the same way...maybe not so much for k-3 but perhaps similar to the MAP applications. It's great to have more choices.
I think we are also getting the I.B. middle years program.....which is course work for students who want to go into the I.B. program in 11th grade....it is for ages 11-16 so maybe 6th-10th grades???

[Hilary]

So I wonder if this means that next year Wilson won't be part of the general application process, but will be another special application school? Since they will already have some 6th graders, and I'm assuming the 7th and 8th grade classes will get smaller as they expand the lower grades? 

[Hilary]

There will be an Open House on Thursday, April 15th from 5:30-7 PM. Post card notices will be mailed to parents this week.

Answers to some questions about the new program:

Q: Will the IB Program be up and running for 6th graders in September 2010?

 A: Teachers will be trained over the summer; we will not have "full authorization" from IB - it takes a few years. However, once you apply (application already submitted), IB curriculum is expected to be taught and teachers trained. Our 6th grade will eventually be a part of the Primary years Program (K-6), but the 6th graders will recieve the IB curriculum.

Q:  If a student decides not to start out in the 6th grade program in September 2010, will there still be spots for students interested in going there as incoming 7th graders in September 2011?

A: No; (Wilson) will no longer be a part of the 6 go 7 School of Choice process.

[Hilary]

This really makes things difficult for a child who might have wanted to go to Wilson in 7th grade, but does not want to leave their elementary school early. Also, since Brizard said he doesn't support middle schools, it seems like a strange way to go about things.