Enrollment
Each year, we accept 78 fourth graders into School in the Woods (SITW). Parents may apply for admission during the School Choice Window the year their student is in third grade. This window can vary from year to year.
Attending SITW is a year-long commitment. Parents and students alike should consider this before applying. Students must be willing to join a strongly connected community that shares responsibilities while supporting each other.
Our environment, limited staff, and unique programming require that students always practice safe and responsible behavior while accepting personal responsibility for their decisions and actions. Each applicant should consider how they plan to contribute positively to the SITW community.
Application Process
Attend the SITW Open House
We will share important information about our school and our programming during the Open House. Bring your third-grade child so they can understand our unique program, as well as the dedication and responsibility our school requires. This event is the first step in your decision. We strongly encourage attendance at the Open House. Please see the calendar for up-to-date information.Deciding to Apply
After attending the Open House, please sit down with your child to make sure they are truly interested in our program. We want the child and their parents to make this decision together.Take time to consider the implications of School Choice and understand that the commitment is for the entire year.
We accept students from a lottery drawing. There is no advantage for early applicants.
The Application
Once you and your child decide to apply to SITW, submit an ASD20 School Choice Application Agreement during the School Choice Window to the district office.The online choice form includes a Student Agreement on the last page. Please read this page with your child before making the decision. If both of you agree with the information in the sections, then sign the choice form electronically. Finish by clicking on the “Submit” button making sure there are no error messages.
Academy District 20 Central Registry notifies selected students.
When a student is selected, their fourth-grade spot at their current ASD20 school can be immediately filled. Before applying, be sure SITW is your first choice for your child's fourth-grade year.
Be sure to complete your application and complete before the initial School Choice Window closes.
Returning to Fifth Grade
Your child will automatically return to their third-grade school for fifth grade unless you submit an additional School Choice application for another school.
Students enrolled at The Classical Academy (TCA) or New Summit Charter Academy (NSCA) may forfeit their fifth-grade slot. These schools may require a new application and/or placement on the waitlist and may not be able to seat returning SITW students for their fifth-grade year. Please contact these schools for further details.
Transportation and Bus Service
The ASD20 Transportation Department establishes pickup and drop-off sites. Students who need transportation by bus will need to be dropped off and picked up from one of those locations. Students and parents utilizing bus transportation must understand the School Choice Transportation Policies.
SITW choice stops are generally within ASD20 (north of Interquest Pkwy, east of Powers Blvd, south of Research Pkwy, and west of I‐25). School Choice stops may not be walkable and may change locations from year to year.
Ride lengths are 30‐75 minutes, dependent on the order of stops. The district creates bus schedules during the summer, and are available to parents on the Extended Parent Portal starting on August 1 each year.
Families residing inside ASD20 may submit a Bus Request and will be assigned to the closest stop.
Families residing outside ASD20 may request an existing in‐district stop using the Space Available request.
Safe and responsible bus behavior is absolutely necessary. SITW students who ride the bus pay a School Choice transportation fee. This cost is subject to change. Please be aware that transportation to and from SITW often results in longer bus rides which may impact your before and after-school schedules.
Out-of-District Students
SITW must accept ASD20 students before accepting students from outside the district. Typically, we fill all available seats with in-district students. After the initial drawing of ASD20 students, we will continue with outside district applicants.