School of Choice

Background & Plan

Having heard concerns with open enrollment for School of Choice (SOC), Houghton-Portage Township Schools approved an enrollment strategy to limit SOC. This strategy will keep current numbers for sections and teachers in our buildings to maintain adequate space for students and staff and avoid influxes caused by external factors that are not in projections. It also uses the board's target to keep class sizes at or below levels to maximize instruction. The number of SOC slots offered will be publicized by May 31st. If more SOC students enroll than slots, we will have a lottery to offer the seats. This will be done on July 15th.

Following state law, “a district shall give preference for enrollment under this section ...to other school-age children who reside in the same household as [the enrolled choice pupil].”

Any student currently attending HPTS as a SOC student does not need to reapply and remains a student in the district until they graduate, unless they enroll in another district and come back to HPTS.

This plan and process will be evaluated annually.

New Student – School of Choice Application

Timeline

• May 31 - June 30, Openings Publicized / SOC Applicatoins Accepted

• By July 15, Accepted Students Notified – (Must complete enrollment by August 1)

• July 15 – August 18, Waiting List Developed – remaining slots filled in order names appear on list

• August 22 – Waiting list SOC notified

***Remaining Slots will be offered and accepted during 2nd Semester Enrollment Window***`

2025-2026 School of Choice Slots Offered

• Y5’s – 0 (Closed)

• Kindergarten – 12

• 1st – 6

• 2nd – 11

• 3rd – 10

• 4th – 10

• 5th – 5

• 6th – 9

• 7th – 5

• 8th – 0 (Closed)

• 9th – 10

• 10th – 10

• 11th – 6

• 12th – 8