Parents invited to consider school of choice/magnet options

Moorpark Unified School District (MUSD) is making school choice an option for kindergarten through eighth grade in compliance with state law.

But parents must apply early if they want their children to attend a different school from the one in their neighborhood, district officials said.

Schools will accept as many out-of-enrollment-area students as possible.

For the rest of this month, schools are hosting parent information nights to provide information about curriculum, areas of special emphasis and other programs, said assistant superintendent of instruction Anna Merriman.

School of choice applications are due by Fri., Jan. 28.

A class-size-reduction program in Moorpark may limit the number of students at some schools.

"If your child has already been approved for a Parental Choice Transfer for the 2004–2005 school year, you do not need to reapply," said a district representative.

Flory Academy of Sciences and Technology, a magnet school, is reminding applicants that K-5 applications are also due by Jan. 28. Walnut Canyon, a school of choice that offers an emphasis in performing arts, is encouraging applicants to apply as soon as possible.

Parents of fourth-grade students may also have more options this year.

The MUSD Vision 2010 Transition Team is currently considering the possibility of having all elementary schools serve kindergarten through fifth grade.

With that goal in mind, the district may establish fourth-grade classes at Peach Hill and Campus Canyon––but both schools may not have adequate classrooms to accommodate all of the newcomers.

Parents who enroll their children at a different school will be responsible for transportation.

For more information about individual schools and information night please schedules call:

Walnut Canyon (805) 517-1722

Arroyo West (805) 378-6308

Peach Hill (805) 378-6307

Campus Canyon (805) 378-6301

Mountain Meadows (805) 378-6306

Flory (805) 378-6303

Mesa Verde (805) 378-6309

Chaparral (805) 378-6302

—Sylvie Belmond