ISD Boundary Information
The Independence School District continues to grow, currently serving nearly 14,500 students. With the addition of the ISD’s 20th elementary school, the district has conducted a comprehensive analysis of all district school boundaries. We have made boundary changes, which will begin in the 2019-2020 school year. These boundary changes are necessary to reduce overcrowding, eliminate all mobile trailers in the ISD, allow for growth at schools across the district, establish the safest transportation routes, right size schools and establish clearly distinguishable boundaries with major roads.
The district mailed letters at the beginning of December to the families whose home school will change beginning in the 2019-2020 school year. Those families will have the option to keep their student at their current school. If parents choose to send their child to their current school that is not within the newly designated home boundary, they will need to provide transportation. The district utilizes a grandfathering process. Students have the option to stay at their current school, as will any younger siblings that would be in school at the same time as that child. For example, a third grader could continue at their current school, as well as a younger sibling that starts school next year. That younger sibling could stay at that school until he or she moves to middle school. In order to make staffing decisions for the next school year, parents are being asked to notify their current school if they plan to remain or attend their new home school.
We are excited about the addition of Cassell Park Elementary as our 20th elementary school. Cassell Park, at 31st Street and Hardy Avenue, will open as a high technology, high collaboration elementary school. Cassell Park construction will be completed in March and we will share dates to tour the school at that time.
With the addition of Cassell Park, the majority of families who will be moving schools will come from Three Trails Elementary and Korte Elementary. The boundary adjustments also include some students going from Mallinson to Korte, Korte to Three Trails, Santa Fe to Procter, and a small number of students shifting from Mallinson to Fairmount, Ott to Bryant and William Southern to Sycamore Hills. Again, the district mailed letters at the beginning of December to the families whose home school will change beginning in the 2019-2020 school year. If you have not received this communication, your home school will not change. You can find the new boundaries outlined here on our website at https://www.isdschools.org/2019-2020-boundary-maps/.
Boundary Change FAQ
What is the reason for the boundary changes?
The Independence School District continues to grow, currently serving nearly 14,500 students. With the addition of the ISD’s 20th elementary school, the district has conducted a comprehensive analysis of all district school boundaries. We have made boundary changes, which will begin in the 2019-2020 school year. These boundary changes are necessary to reduce overcrowding, eliminate all mobile trailers in the ISD, allow for growth at schools across the district, establish the safest transportation routes, right size schools and establish clearly distinguishable boundaries with major roads.
How do I know if my student is impacted by the boundary changes?
The Independence School District mailed letters in early December to the families whose home school will change beginning in the 2019-2020 school year.
What was the process for determining the boundary changes?
This was a lengthy process, which involved census tracking and a demographer. Our goals in establishing these new boundaries are to reduce overcrowding, eliminate all mobile trailers in the ISD, allow for growth at schools across the district, establish the safest transportation routes, right size schools and establish clearly distinguishable boundaries with major roads.
What if my student is supposed to move schools as part of the boundary changes but I want them to remain at their current school?
You can elect to keep your student at their current school. If you choose to send your child to their current school that is not within your new home boundary, you will need to provide transportation. Students currently enrolled have the option to stay at their current school, as will any younger siblings that would be in school at the same time as that child. For example, a third grader could continue at their current school, as well as a younger sibling that starts school next year. That younger sibling could stay at that school until he or she moves to middle school. In order to make staffing decisions for the next school year, parents need to notify their current school if they plan to remain or attend their new home school. Forms were included in the district mailing and can also be completed in your school office.
Will this impact which middle school or high school my child attends?
These boundary changes will not affect which middle school or high school your child attends.
When will we have the opportunity to tour Cassell Park Elementary?
Cassell Park Elementary will open as a high technology, high collaboration elementary school. Cassell Park construction will be completed in March and we will share dates to tour Cassell Park Elementary at that time. This information will be communicated through email, on the district website www.isdschools.org and on the ISD Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ISDSchools/.