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Cumberland County Schools to reopen Choice program applications for certain schools

New deadline will apply to grade levels where seats are available

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Cumberland County Schools will reopen the application process for its Choice programs for specific grade levels in seven schools beginning May 31.

Previously, the Schools of Choice application period had closed for the 2022-23 school term.

The change is in effect for specific schools, school system spokesman Lindsay Whitley said Tuesday morning.

“We’re reopening it based on current enrollment, so there were programs with seats available prior to this upcoming year," Whitley said.

Those schools and the grade levels affected are:

  • Cumberland Academy K-5, grades kindergarten through five.
  • Cumberland Academy 6-12, grades six through 12.
  • Massey Hill Classical High School, grades nine through 12.
  • Montclair Elementary School, kindergarten only.
  • Owen Elementary School, kindergarten only.
  • Reid Ross Classical School, grades six through 12.
  • Seventy-First Middle School, grades six through eight.

Other Choice programs are already full or have a waiting list, according to Whitley.

According to the school system’s website, it offers a variety of Schools of Choice programs that are tailored to meet the diverse needs of students.

“Choice Programs are uniquely themed concepts implemented at select schools throughout the district,” the website says. “You can exercise your power of choice within (Cumberland County Schools) by learning more about the Choice programs available to students and selecting a program that best matches your child's interests and future goals.”

Whitley said the district's Choice programs have been offered for years and that the system is constantly looking at options that can be offered to students.

"When you look at these programs, they were not selected by our parents,” he said. “These are the ones that remain, and hopefully families will see them and, if they would like to enroll their children, they have an opportunity to do so."

Once a parent or legal custodian makes the commitment to enroll a student in a Choice program, the student cannot transfer to another school during the school year. Exceptions to the policy must be requested in writing to the Student Assignment Office and approved by the Cumberland County Board of Education.

Families can apply to more than one Choice program based on a student’s interests and goals.

Eligibility requirements are determined by each school, according to the website. If there are more applicants than available seats, a lottery is held to select students for the programs.

Parents must provide transportation to and from the Choice school.

For more information, contact the school principal or academy director or call the Student Assignment Office at 910-678-2616.

Choice program updates will be provided on Twitter@ccschoice1.

Michael Futch covers Fayetteville and education for CityView TODAY. He can be reached at mfutch@cityviewnc.com. Have a news tip? Email news@CityViewTODAY.com

Cumberland County, Fayetteville, schools, Choice

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