Academy of Scholastic Achievement

Who is eligible to enroll?

Acceptance into ASA is on a first-come first-serve basis or a lottery if all seats are filled. If you are interested in attending ASA, you must:

• Be 16 to 19 years of age
• Have completed one year of high school
• Meet minimum requirements on our entrance exam

What is the minimum credit I must have to enroll at ASA?

There are no minimum credits required for ASA enrollment. If you meet all eligibility requirements, an ASA representative will contact you to discuss your academic and credit history.

Do I have to be a high school drop-out to attend ASA?

No. ASA provides an academic, non-graded curriculum that is geared toward at-risk youth. Our specialty is providing high school students who are not succeeding in traditional public high school settings with a second chance at a general high school diploma. Several of our students come to us because they have dropped out, are pregnant, or have been chronically truant from school. Others, however, come to us because they prefer a small school setting and are seeking individualized study. We encourage you to visit our school to learn if it is right for you. To schedule a campus tour, please call Sabine Champagne, Director, Resource Development, at 773-921-1316.

Does ASA have an enrollment deadline?

No.

What is the TABE and why do I have to take it?

The Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) is designed to measure achievement of basic skills commonly found in most adult basic education curricula. The tests measure basic reading, mathematics and language arts skills. ASA requires all prospective students to take the TABE reading and math modules, because it helps us determine student achievement and design appropriate individual learning plans.

When can I take the TABE?

ASA administers the TABE Monday through Thursday from 9 am to 11:30 am and from 1 pm to 3:30 pm. To register for testing, please call the Registrar at 773-921-1316 or stop by the school at least 15 minutes prior to testing. Please note, there is a $20 non-refundable testing administration fee.

When will I get my TABE results?

ASA will call you within 24 hours of taking the test to inform you of your results.

What if I fail the TABE, can I still attend ASA?

Actually, you cannot fail the TABE. The test simply measures your achievement in a particular subject area. Unfortunately, if you meet all the eligibility requirements, but do not meet ASA’s minimum TABE test score of 6.5 in math or reading, you will not be eligible to enroll. You will be eligible to re-take the exam at ASA in one year.

What is the cost of admission?

The annual registration fee for new and returning students is $150. This is a non-refundable fee that is paid at the beginning of the school year, prior to the first day of school.

What is an intake meeting and what do I need to bring?

The intake meeting is scheduled once you’ve successfully completed the interview stage. You and your parent/guardian must attend this meeting, which is facilitated by the ASA Registrar. You must bring the following with you to the intake session:

• Social Security Card
• Birth Certificate
• Immunization/Health Records
• High School Transcript
• High School Withdrawal Slip
• Proof of Income (parent)
• IEP, if applicable
• Non-Refundable $150 registration fee

Additionally, you will be asked to complete the enrollment documents and you will be scheduled to attend new student orientation. Please note: failure to bring the requested documentation or to complete the enrollment forms, may delay or prohibit enrollment.

When does school start?

ASA follows The Chicago Public Schools (CPS) calendar. The first day of school is Tuesday, September 2, 2008. Students are scheduled for a full day of school.

For a look at the 2008-2009 school calendar, click here.

Does ASA require uniforms?

ASA does not require uniforms, however, all students are expected to come to school well-groomed, hair combed, and in clothes that is appropriate and supportive of learning and free from distractions. All students must adhere to our dress code policy. Students are prohibited from the following on school grounds:

• Hats, baseball caps, bandanas or scarves
• Clothing with symbols indicative of gang involvement, inflammatory, suggestive or discriminatory language, symbols or artwork
• Combs, picks, rollers, hair pins
• House shoes, flip flops or slippers
• Shorts, mini-skirts (all skirts must be knee length or longer)
• Hoodies
• Mid-riff shirts or blouses; halter, tank, tube or spaghetti-strap tops; blouses that are see-through, backless or reveal bare shoulders, hips or waists
• Clothing that exposes undergarments
• Sleeveless shirts (for men)
• Un-combed or un-kept hair
• Revealing undergarments

Additionally, all students must wear their ASA identification cards at all times. Students will not be admitted to school without their ID cards.

Is there free transportation to ASA?

No, students are responsible for their own transportation to and from school. ASA is accessible via public transportation and close to several bus routes.

Homeless or low-income students may be provided bus passes through a partnership program ASA has with The Chicago Public Schools (CPS). Other low income students with transportation needs may be provided with bus passes based on available funds. ASA’s counseling and social services department reviews and approves all buss pass requests.

Does ASA offer a hot lunch program?

Yes, ASA offers a free and reduced-cost breakfast and hot lunch program in collaboration with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

What are the expectations of parent involvement?

Parents are expected to be active participants in their child’s learning experiences. ASA invites parents to monthly Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) meetings to learn about school news, upcoming events and explore opportunities for further involvement in school activities.

Does ASA offer a formal graduation ceremony?

Yes, ASA offers a formal graduation ceremony.

Does ASA offer a formal Senior Prom?

Yes, ASA, in conjunction with the Alternative Schools Network, offers a formal Senior Prom. Students must be in their senior year and in good academic and behavioral standing to be eligible to attend.

My child has special needs, how will ASA address them?

ASA has a special education teacher from the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) who is onsite 4 days a week who collaborates with academic teachers to aid and modify lesson plans to meet the students’ individual needs. The special education teacher also provides one-on-one instruction as needed. Additionally, ASA teachers differentiate their lessons to instruct students with special needs as directed by the students’ individualized education plan (IEP).

What is an IEP?

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires all public schools to develop individualized education plans for students with special education needs. The IEPs describe the performance goals for each student and identify any special supports the child will need to be successful in school. Prospective ASA students with special needs are asked to present their existing IEPs to the registrar at the time of enrollment.

What is an AEP?

The alternative education plan is an individual learning plan that is developed at the beginning of each school year with the student, parent/guardian and teachers. At ASA each student receives an AEP, which serves as a tailor-made blue print of a student’s educational goals, expectations and performance objectives for the year. The AEP is a working document that is used throughout the year to monitor student performance, identify strengths and improvement areas, and discover any barriers to student success.

How do I know if my student’s performance is improving?

ASA provides several ways to track student performance. The school distributes progress reports to students every five weeks. The reports indicate the student’s academic grades as of that point in time and specify areas of improvement for students to focus on for the remainder of the quarter. Report cards are distributed every 10 weeks. Parents are required to pick up the report cards on designated pick-up days between 1 pm and 6 pm. ASA also encourages parents to request parent-teacher conferences if they have questions or concerns regarding their student’s academic performance.

How does ASA handle state/standardized tests?

ASA administers the following required standardized tests: PLAN, EXPLORE, PSAE and ACT.