Willow Wind Enrollment Procedures
 

Willow Wind serves students who are individually approved for placement consistent with the district's board policies regarding placement. Students attending Willow Wind are those whose educational needs and interests are best served by participation in the program in accordance with OAR 581-022-2505 (5)(C) and ORS 336.615.
After submitting an Inquiry Form, Families interested in attending Willow Wind will meet with an administrative representative for an interview to determine if the program is a good placement for the student. Information from previous teachers, parents and available achievement data (for grades 1 - 8) will be included in the decision regarding placement.

Kindergarten Enrollment Process:

Families complete the Inquiry Form (no more than 1 year in advance)

Parents meet with the administrator to discuss the structure of Willow Wind, tour the campus and have an opportunity to ask questions about the program.

After the initial meeting, parents are asked to reflect on their child's learning style, level of independence, comfort with transitions and multi age interactions. If they feel Willow Wind is a good match for their child, they contact the office to declare their interest in enrolling.

If the child is attending preschool, the preschool teacher is contacted for input on placement. If the preschool teacher thinks Willow Wind is a good fit for the student, they will be entered into the lottery. If the preschool teacher has concerns about the child's readiness for the highly independent environment, then the parents are once again contacted for a discussion. Placement is a team decision with input from parents and previous teachers who know the individual child well. If the team believes Willow Wind is a good match for the child, they will be entered into the lottery.

If a child is not attending preschool, the parents will discuss placement with the administrator and if the parents think the child fits the enrollment criteria, they will be entered into the lottery.

Siblings have priority for enrollment if it is determined that Willow Wind is a good placement for their educational needs.

On the day of the lottery, all names are written on pieces of paper and the actual lottery is done at the Student Services Office of the Ashland School District. Names are chosen for enrollment and for an ordered waiting list for back-up in case openings become available over the summer. Applicants are notified the following day and are asked to either accept or decline the spot within 24 hours. Waiting List families are notified by e-mail and are asked to declare whether they are interested in remaining on the waiting list or not.

Enrollment for Students in Grades 1 - 8

Families complete and Inquiry Form (no more than 1 year in advance)

Parents meet with the administrator to discuss the structure of Willow Wind, tour the campus and have an opportunity to ask questions about the program.

After the initial meeting, parents are asked to reflect on their child's learning style, level of independence, comfort with transitions and multi age interactions. If they feel Willow Wind is a good match for their child, they contact the office to declare their interest in enrolling.

If the student is currently enrolled in the Ashland School District, the administrator will review the available achievement data and contact the student's current teacher(s) to gather input on the suitability of Willow Wind for the student. If the data and teacher input indicate Willow Wind would serve the student's needs, they are entered into the lottery. If the data and/or the teacher input uncovers concerns about the environment for the student, then the parents are once again contacted for discussion. Placement is a team decision with input from parents and previous teachers.

All students entering grades 1 - 8 requesting full time enrollment from home schooling or schools outside of the Ashland School District, will complete a skills assessment in the areas of writing, reading and mathematics. Students must score within the range of the existing grade level class in order to qualify for enrollment.

Siblings and current part time students have priority for enrollment if it is determined that Willow Wind is a good placement for their educational needs.

On the day of the lottery, all names are written on pieces of paper and the actual lottery is done at the Student Services Office of the Ashland School District. Names are chosen for enrollment and for an ordered waiting list for back-up in case openings become available over the summer.

Families are notified the following day and are asked to either accept or decline the spot within 24 hours. Waiting List families are notified by e-mail and are asked to declare whether they are interested in remaining on the waiting list or not.