By Alicia Coffman
In Utah County, it is becoming more common for students to go to a school outside the school boundaries they live in.
In Alpine School District alone, there were 830 out-of-boundary students in the past school year, said Paul Rasband, assistant director of student services.
Because of this large number, Alpine School District has announced five secondary schools will be closed to out-of-boundary students because some schools are filled to capacity. Lakeridge Junior High, Oak Canyon Junior High, Lone Peak High, Lehi High and Pleasant Grove High will all be closed for the 2007-08 school year.
For any other school in the district, out-of-boundary students must apply and follow regulations described in the state law 'School Choice Policy.'
In this situation, a student must first get approval from the principal at the school they wish to attend. Then they must fill out an application that the district will consider. The director and assistant director of student services will consider the reason for the transfer as well as screen the student''s behavior and attendance at the last school. The student is then either granted or denied the request.
'Usually, as long as there is availability in the program or grade they will be transferring into, the student will be approved to transfer out of their original school''s boundaries,' Rasband said.
The policy, as drawn up by the state, specifically outlines the specific rules for the enrollment of nonresident students, as well as the procedures and processing fees.
Jerrilyn Mortensen, a spokeswoman for Alpine School District, said the policy is an important and positive idea because it allows the students to decide were they go to school.
'I think students should be able to attend schools that meet their needs, regardless of where they live,' she said. 'That''s what school choice is all about.'
Within the state regulations, the only differences between school districts are found in the procedural aspects. For example, Provo School District doesn''t require the students to meet with the principal before coming to the district for consideration.
Claudia Lauret, who oversees and directs the approval of Provo School District''s applicants, said the reasons for wanting to go do a different school always vary, but it tends to be mostly parental preference.
Provo School District currently has 485 students going to school out of their boundaries. Wasatch is the only school that has set limitations for these students, and their second through sixth grade classes are closed off to any incoming out-of-boundary students.
'I know some states don''t allow students to go to school''s out of the boundaries drawn, but I can definitely see great benefits from allowing students to go to the school that is best for them,' Lauret said.