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Schools of Choice

River East Transcona School Division expects its students to attend designated schools within established boundaries as a way to balance enrolment at each school. Unless otherwise specified by the board of trustees, the designated school is the school closest to the home of the student's custodial parent/legal guardian. However, a custodial parent/legal guardian may apply for their child to attend a school other than their designated school through Policy JFBA—Schools of Choice. 

The following information outlines some of the particulars regarding the schools of choice policy.

WHO NEEDS TO APPLY?

Both in-division/out-of-school-boundary students and out-of-division students, as defined below:

In-Division/Out-of-School-Boundary Students

These are students who wish to attend a school other than their designated school and whose custodial parents/legal guardians reside in RETSD. The designated school is based on the address of the student's custodial parent/legal guardian and the student's chosen program (e.g., language program, vocational program).

To determine a student's designated school, contact any school in RETSD or the Administration Offices at 589 Roch St., or check the School Locator.

Out-of-Division Students

  • Students who wish to attend an RETSD school and whose custodial parents/legal guardians do not reside in RETSD.
  • Current RETSD students who have moved out of RETSD and wish to remain at an RETSD school for the next school year.
  • Previously approved out-of-division students who are changing schools or programs (e.g., French immersion to English).

WHAT CRITERIA ARE USED WHEN CONSIDERING APPLICATIONS?

Students applying under schools of choice will be considered for acceptance based on the following criteria.

School Criteria

Acceptance to attend a school of choice is not guaranteed and is influenced by, but not limited to:

  • School population, available space, and resources
  • Current and future enrolment projections.
  • The date of application (applications are processed by the date they are received).

Schools of choice applications will be considered when:

  • All students living within the designated school catchment area have been accommodated.
  • The school and/or class staffing allocation can accommodate additional students.
  • The school has the capability of providing appropriate supports and programming for the student.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR APPLYING?

In-Division/Out-of-School-Boundary

  • The custodial parent/legal guardian must complete an In-Division/Out-of-Designated-School-Boundary application, accompanied by a registration form for the student's designated school—these must be submitted to the student's designated school. Students who are 18 years of age or older will follow the same process. 
  • The earliest schools of choice applications will be accepted for the 2025–26 school year is Monday, March 3, 2025.
  • The school of choice will notify the custodial parent/legal guardian or the student in writing by June 30 as to whether:
    • The application is approved.
    • The application is denied.
    • The student is on a wait list, as per custodial parent/legal guardian or student request, with a final decision to be made by September 30.

Out-of-Division

  • The custodial parent/legal guardian of the student or a student 18 years of age or older must submit an Out-of-Division application to the principal of the school of choice between May 1 and 15 for admission for the upcoming school year. 
  • The school of choice will notify the custodial parent/legal guardian or student in writing by June 30 as to whether:
    • The application is approved.
    • The application is denied.
    • The student is on a wait list, as per custodial parent/legal guardian or student request, with a final decision to be made by September 30.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO NOTE

  • Schools of choice applications are to be submitted no later than May 15 preceding the upcoming school year. Applications received after May 15 will be considered on an individual basis, only after all other requests have been processed.
  • Acceptance of the student under the provisions of schools of choice is applicable only to the programming selected. A request for the student to be transferred to a different program offered at the school will require another schools of choice application and be subject to the conditions outlined with this policy (e.g., heritage language programs, technical vocational programs).
  • Once a schools of choice application has been given final approval, it will remain in effect only at the school to which the student has been admitted, and only until the student completes the highest grade level at the school into which they have been admitted. Students must reapply through the schools of choice process upon changing schools or at transition to the next educational level (early to middle, middle to senior).
  • Transportation is not provided to schools of choice students, nor will they be provided transportation allowances or subsidies in any form; however, Policy EEA-R—Student Transportation may apply.
  • Submission of a schools of choice application does not imply acceptance.
  • Acceptance of one student does not ensure acceptance of that student's siblings.
  • Acceptance may be rescinded in the event a parent/legal guardian has misrepresented the needs of their child by providing misinformation and/or failure to disclose information.
  • An application will be denied when RETSD determines the enrolment of the student would be detrimental to order, discipline, and the well-being of the students in the school.

CAN A DECISION BE APPEALED?

Custodial parents/legal guardians and students 18 years of age or older may appeal the decision by contacting the superintendent/CEO in writing at 589 Roch St., Winnipeg, MB, R2K 2P7, by fax at 204.661.5618, or by email at info@retsd.mb.ca.

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