Can I enroll my child in kindergarten if he/she isn't five years old?

Typically, children must turn five years old before September 30 to enroll in kindergarten for the coming school year. However, children who turn five between September 30 and January 1 can be considered for early entrance contingent upon meeting the criteria set forth in Board Policy JEB. In such instances, the child is evaluated to measure his or her maturity to do satisfactory work in kindergarten. Children identified as being academically, socially and emotionally prepared for school may enroll in kindergarten early if recommended to do so by the building principal. If you are considering enrolling your child early, you must notify the school no later than two weeks after the end of the school year prior to the school year you want your child to begin kindergarten. This notification deadline does not apply if you have just moved into the district, but you still must let the school know of your intentions as soon as possible. Early entrance is handled at the school of attendance through the school principal.

Do you have an open enrollment policy?

No, the district does not have an open enrollment policy. In order for your child to attend Worthington Schools, you must be a resident of the school district.

How do I enroll my child in your school district?

Complete the on-line registration form found on the Worthington website under District Information, New Student Enrollment.  After submitting the form you will be provided with a telephone number to call your child's school to set up an appointment.

How do our teachers' compensation compare to others?

Recently, the Columbus Dispatch did an article about teacher compensation and compared area districts. You may the information from the Dispatch at:

http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/10/12/teachers.html?sid=101

How many administrators does the Worthington School district employ?

There are 46 administrators throughout the school distict. This number includes all building principals, assistant principals, athletic directors and district administrators.

What is the Worthington's cost per pupil ?

The 2008 cost per student for the Worthington School district is $12,301. You may review how this compares to surrounding districts in the 2008 Popular Annual Financial Report on page 6.

2010 State Report Card

What is Worthington’s rating for the 2009-10 school year?

“Excellent.” This is based upon student data in four key measurements including State Indicators, Performance Index (PI), Value-added and Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). Worthington met all 26 of the indicators, earned an PI of 102.1, met the value-added measurement and met all AYP requirements.

What are State Indicators?

There are 26 indicators on the 2009-10 school year local report card. These indicators include student proficiency rates on state tests, attendance rate and graduation rate. Worthington met all 26 indicators.

What is the Performance Index?

The PI is a weighted average of all tested subjects in grades three through eight and 10 that reflects the achievement of every tested student. The tests are broken down into five performance levels including from lowest to highest: limited, basic, proficient, accelerated and advanced. The most weight is given to the advanced students (1.2) then the weights decrease for each performance level.

What is Value-added?

Value-added measures how much progress a student made since the year prior, whereas achievement scores look at a student’s level of proficiency at a single point in time. Worthington’s value-added information indicates that students are receiving one year of expected growth in student achievement over one year of instructional time.

What is AYP?

AYP is a requirement under the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) that sets goals each year for student achievement in the areas of reading and math proficiency, test participation, attendance rate and graduation rate. The AYP goals increase over time with the target of 100 percent of students meeting all of the standards by the 2013-14 school year. AYP is broken down by 10 subgroups based on factors such as ethnicity, socio-economic levels and students with disabilities. As a district, Worthington met AYP in all ten subgroups.

Didn’t Worthington earn an “Excellent with Distinction” rating on the 2008-09 report card?

Worthington did earn a rating of “Excellent with Distinction” on the 2008-09 school year local report card and a rating of “Excellent” on the 2009-10 report. During both school years, Worthington met all State Indicators and AYP requirements. However, the district also met rather than exceeded a year’s worth of academic growth for the 2009-10 school year and therefore did not have the two consecutive years of above-expected growth for the value-added measurement to increase the district’s rating. This also means that the highest rating Worthington may receive for the 2010-11 school year is “Excellent.”

Does this mean Worthington’s performance has decreased?

No. While this change in the rating may seem like a decrease, Worthington students are receiving a year’s worth of expected growth in student achievement over one year of instructional time. In addition, the PI score indicates that more students are earning scores at the accelerated and advanced levels.

Worthington does not define itself by a single outcome. The district looks at multiple measurements such as Advanced Placement and ACT/SAT scores to determine the type of complete educational product we are offering the community. This approach allows the district to evaluate its progress in achieving Worthington’s mission to ensure learning for all.

Is there a problem with the state’s rating system?

No individual measurement system is perfect. This is why Worthington Schools looks at so many tools to see the complete picture of academic progress the district is making.

The Ohio Department of Education is always working to make their reporting system better so that Ohio residents have an even more accurate picture of their school district’s performance. For instance the newest measurement tool, value-added, is important to make sure a student is receiving a year’s worth of achievement growth for a year’s worth of instructional time. However, the rigor of the assessments used to measure student achievement can vary from year to year.

Where can I find the local report card for Worthington and the school my child attends?

The Ohio Department of Education released the final results on Friday, August 27 and we have it on the district website under Academic Achievement and Leadership for parents and community members.

Auditorium Rentals

Are the high school facilities rented to various organizations?

Can I buy old copies of yearbooks?

In some instances, past yearbooks may be available. For more information, contact Thomas Worthington High School at (614) 883-2250 or Worthington Kilbourne High School at (614) 883-2550.

Does my class have a reunion coming up soon?

You can check the alumni portion of this web site.

Does the district have a Latchkey program?

Though the school district does not offer a traditional "latchkey" program, there is a Care After School program available in the community. This is a fee-based program that operates independently from the school district. For more information, call (614) 431-2266, or visit the Care After School web site at www.careafterschool.com.

Care After School Closing Procedures

How can I find out what school supplies my child needs?

School supply lists are available directly from your child's school. You can get one at any time during the school year. If you are preparing for a new school year, supply lists are typically available and provided to parents at the end of the previous school year. They are also available during the summer months. Many schools post their lists near the entrance of the school during the summer so families can see what supplies are needed. Schools are being encouraged to add supply lists to their web sites for easier access. The best course of action is to contact your child's school to find out how they typically share this information with current and incoming students.

How can I get a copy of my high school transcripts?

You will need to contact the registrar at the school from which you graduated. If you graduated from Worthington High School or Thomas Worthington High School, contact Mary Mechenbier at (614) 883-2290. If you graduated from Worthington Kilbourne High School, contact Suzanne Hoyt at (614) 883-2590. They can help you obtain your transcripts.

How can I learn about employment opportunities with the district?

Please visit the Employment tab on the district’s website home page for details regarding Administrative, Certified, Support (classified/non-certified), and Coaching positions.

Worthington Schools is looking for qualified people for our job openings.  We welcome your interest in employment with the district! 

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NOTE: Substitute Teachers are processed by the Educational Service Center Council of Governments. Please contact ESC COG at 614-445-3750 to register for an orientation. Pre-employment paperwork is available at the ESC COG website: www.escco.org.

How is the decision made to close school due to bad weather?

In the event that winter weather may impact the safety of our school community, the superintendent consults with the transportation and facilities departments and makes the decision regarding the operation of the school day.

School cancellations or delays are reported to the local media usually before 6:00 a.m. For more information regarding school delays and closings, please click here.

Is there a district map available that shows attendance area boundaries?

Yes. Click here to view that map. For more detailed information, click here for a street-by-street listing of attendance areas. If you do not see your street listed, please call (614) 883-3000.

What are the Dates for Summer School?

Summer School 2011

            High School:

                        First Session –             June 20 – July 8 (no classes July 4)

                        Second Session –         July 11 – July 28

            Elementary/Middle School:

                        First Session –              June 20 – July 1

                        Second Session -          July 11 – July 22

                        (no classes July 4 – 8)

What school will my child(ren) attend?

The best way to determine which school your child will attend is to view a street-by-street listing of attendance areas. You can download that list here. If you do not see your street listed, please call (614) 883-3000.

When are the high school graduation dates for this year?

Both high school commencements are scheduled for Saturday June 4, 2011, at Battelle Hall in the Columbus Convention Center. 

Are lunches available for All Day Kindergarten students?

All Day Kindergarten students are able to purchase lunch at school or may bring a packed lunch from home.

Are the care after school services available for students in the All Day Kindergarten program?

The Care After School Program operates independently of the school district. The services are available to parents at the normal rates charged by the program. (Cost is in addition to the participation fees for All Day Kindergarten.) For additional information, call (614) 431-2266 or visit their website at www.careafterschool.com.

How are students identified for placement in the All Day Kindergarten program?

Parents indicate their interest in the All Day Kindergarten option at kindergarten registration and complete an application to the program. A student selection process, where names are drawn of students whose parents are interested in the program, is then conducted for each building.

If my child is offered placement at another school, will he/she have the opportunity to return to his/her home school?

Waiting Lists are maintained at each school, and students assigned to other schools will be offered placement in the K+ Program at their home school, as openings occur, until the start of the school year (August). K+ students assigned to other schools will return to their home school for first grade.

Is transportation provided for All Day Kindergarten students?

Transportation is provided to full-day kindergarten students who live on regular school bus routes as well as to those who live on regular bus routes but are assigned to additional classrooms that are opened as a result of demand.

What is the cost of the All Day Kindergarten program? Is there a plan for families who cannot afford the All Day Kindergarten program?

Parents are charged a monthly tuition fee of $290.00 (total of nine payments, September through May) in addition to the standard school supply fee that is paid by all kindergarten students.  A reduced fee is available for those who qualify. The fee reduction is based on the same criteria used to qualify for reduced lunches based on federal guidelines.

What is the difference between the half-day program and the all-day program? Are both options available?

The core curriculum is the same for both the half-day program and the All Day Kindergarten Program. The All Day Kindergarten Program provides time for teachers to devote more attention to the diverse individual needs of children and to extend and reinforce learning for each child. There are greater opportunities to integrate language arts, math, social studies, science and the arts through project work and small group learning throughout the day.  Both the half-day program and the All Day Kindergarten Program are offered. A choice between All Day Kindergarten and half-day kindergarten is available to parents in the Worthington School District; however, based on enrollment, a half-day kindergarten program may not be offered at each building.