OUACHITA PARISH SCHOOL SYSTEM
100 Bry Street – P.O. Box 1642 – Monroe, Louisiana 71210-1642 – Phone: (318 )432-5000
Shady Grove Elementary School
School Choice Information for 2015-2016 School Year
March 19, 2015
Dr. Bob Webber
Superintendent
Dear Parent and/or Guardian:
Federal law requires school districts to offer families in schools that have been identified as in need
of improvement the chance to transfer their children to other public schools in the same district.
Your child’s school has been identified as a school in need of improvement and you are allowed to
choose to enroll him or her in another school. To help you understand how the choice program
works, here are some answers to questions you may have.
Why was Shady Grove Elementary School identified as a “school in need of improvement”?
According to Louisiana State Accountability Guidelines, Shady Grove Elementary School has been
deemed as a school in need of improvement because the School’s Letter Grade is an “F.” This letter
grade is based on the school data from the 2013-2014 school year.
What is Shady Grove Elementary School doing to address the problem of low achievement,
and what are the school system and the Louisiana State Department of Education doing to
help them address the problem?
The school system administration (school site and district staff) will evaluate all areas of instruction
at Shady Grove Elementary School. The information obtained will be used to prepare a School
Improvement Plan. These plans require classroom instruction and teacher training to focus on
improving the areas in which students at Shady Grove Elementary School are having difficulty.
Shady Grove Elementary School will analyze test scores and other data to target all areas of
academic need. The school will implement reading and math literacy strategies, tutorial programs,
technology assisted instruction and innovative math strategies. Consultants will work along with
the administration and staff to identify the most effective instructional practices for the diverse
student population that attends Shady Grove Elementary School. The State Department of
Education will be sending assistance in the form of additional funding and technical assistance
through the Federal Programs funding. Additional assistance includes:
 Staffing with highly qualified teachers
 Additional support staff will include an assistant principal, contracted professional
services, reading/math coordinator
 Tutoring (Afterschool)
 Opportunity to participate in a 21st Century Learning Centers Program 4 nights a week
that provides mentoring, tutoring, homework assistance, life skills training, enrichment
activities such as fitness, nutrition, healthy relationships, personal boundaries, art, music
and sports, night meal (2nd and 3rd grade students)
 Opportunity to participate in the Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeast Louisiana Program
four days a week that provides mentoring, tutoring, homework assistance, remediation for
state testing, recreational activities and life skills training (4th grade students)
 Safe Routes to School Program (Encourages safety in walking and bicycle riding)
 Fruits and Vegetable Program (Promote healthy relationships to promote learning)
 Generation Ready: ELA and Math Coach and School Improvement Consultant contracted
to provide job-embedded professional development using the essential school wide
practices to improve teacher growth/instruction and student learning/achievement
 United Way Read. Learn. Succeed Program: School partnering with area volunteers
reading with students weekly to improve reading skills
 Technology assisted programs to enhance and enrich learning: Accelerated Reader,
Accelerated Math, Star Reading, Star Math, Early Literacy, Dibels, Fastt Math, Compass
Learning
BOARD
MEMBERS:
Tommy Comeaux
District A
Scott Robinson
District B
A. R. Sims
District C
Jerry Hicks
District D
Rev. J Russell
District E
Carey Walker
District F
Greg Manley
District G
How can I become involved in addressing the problems that caused Shady Grove Elementary School to be identified as a
school in need of improvement?
Families are encouraged to arrange a private conference with their child’s teachers to discuss ways to improve academic
performance. Families are also invited to participate as members of the School Improvement Team at Shady Grove
Elementary School. The School Improvement Team is a group made up of the principal, teachers and parents that work to
improve the education and overall learning experience for all students at Shady Grove Elementary School. Even if a family
member does not serve as a member of the School Improvement Team, he or she may attend meetings of the team to discuss
possible changes in any area of instruction to improve Shady Grove Elementary School.
Do I have to transfer my child to another school?
No. We are providing families with this opportunity as an option. The decision is entirely up to you, so you should base
your decision on what you think is best for your child. If you choose to have your child attend school at Shady Grove
Elementary School, continue with the registration process as required. If you do choose to transfer your child to the new
school, he or she must remain there for the full school year.
To which schools may my child transfer?
Under the School Choice Program, students at Shady Grove Elementary School may choose to attend one of the elementary
schools listed below. Please note that the letter grades listed below are from last year.
Boley Elementary (K-5)
Calhoun Elementary (K-2)
Central Elementary (3-5)
Claiborne Elementary (K-5)
Drew Elementary (K-5)
George Welch Elementary (K-5)
Highland Elementary (K-5)
Jack Hayes Elementary (K-5)
Kiroli Elementary (K-5) 700
Lakeshore Elementary (K-5)
Pinecrest Elementary (K-5)
Riser Elementary (K-5)
Sterlington Elementary (K-5)
Swartz Lower Elementary (K-2)
Swartz Upper Elementary (3-5)
Woodlawn Elementary (K-5)
2213 Cypress Street, West Monroe, LA 71291
237 Calhoun Road, Calhoun, LA 71225
1163 Hwy 151 South, Calhoun, LA 71225
1011 Wallace Dean Road, West Monroe, LA 71291
1132 Hwy 15, West Monroe, LA 71291
199 Caldwell Road, West Monroe, LA 71291
1501 Wellerman Road, West Monroe, LA 71291
22 Old Sterlington Road, Monroe, LA 71203
Kiroli Road, West Monroe, LA 71291
550 Balboa Street, Monroe, LA 71203
3604 Hwy 557, West Monroe, LA 71292
100 Price Drive, West Monroe, LA 71292
9040 Hwy 165 North, Monroe, LA 71203
235 Swartz School Rd., Monroe, LA 71203
400 Lincoln Hill Rd., Monroe, LA 71203
5946 Jonesboro Road, West Monroe, LA 71292
Letter Grade B
Letter Grade B
Letter Grade B
Letter Grade A
Letter Grade A
Letter Grade A
Letter Grade B
Letter Grade B
Letter Grade A
Letter Grade B
Letter Grade A
Letter Grade C
Letter Grade A
Letter Grade B
Letter Grade B
Letter Grade A
If you choose to have your child attend one of these schools, please select your first, second, and third choices, with your first
choice as number 1, your second choice as number 2, and your third choice as number 3 on the enclosed choice form. These
schools did make Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) and have higher School Improvement Scores than Shady Grove Elementary
School.
Is my child guaranteed a place in an accepting school?
Every effort will be made to give parents their first choice if requesting a transfer. However, it is possible that your child
may not be granted enrollment in your first school of choice. Students will be granted enrollment in the schools above
based upon enrollment limits, individual achievement scores, and income levels as prescribed by NCLB.
How will my child get to a receiving school?
If your transfer application is approved, your child will have free transportation to the receiving school. Transportation will
be provided by the Ouachita Parish School Board and specific bus information will be available at your home school on
August 6, 2015. Should your child become ill and need to go home early, parents must provide transportation home.
Transportation will not be provided for the child to attend activities before or after school such as extracurricular activities
or for parents to attend parent meetings and evening programs. Note: Bus pickup could be as early as 6:30 am and return
home time as late as 4:30 pm.
What is the deadline for applying?
If you decide you want to send your child to one of the receiving schools, the enclosed Choice Request Form must be
returned to the Shady Grove Elementary School OFFICE no later than 3:00 pm on Thursday, April 2, 2015. If we do
not receive the Choice Request Form from you by 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 2, 2015, your child will remain enrolled
at Shady Grove Elementary School.
When will you tell me if my transfer application is approved?
Parents will receive an official notification by Friday April 24, 2015, informing them if their transfer application is
approved.
What if I choose to have my child continue to attend Shady Grove Elementary School?
You would continue to send your child to Shady Grove Elementary School as registered.
What if my child promotes out of Shady Grove Elementary School for the 2014-2015 school year?
If your child is in the fifth grade and will be promoting to Richwood Middle School for the 2015-2016 school year, the
Choice application for Richwood Middle may be picked up in the office at Richwood Middle School or accessed online at
www.opsb.net.
Questions?
If you have any more questions about the School Choice Program, you may contact:
Contact: Vance Smith, Director of Accountability
Phone: 318-398-9888 or 318-432-5000
Ouachita Parish School System
100 Bry Street
Monroe, Louisiana 71201
Sincerely,
Robert Webber, Ed. D. Superintendent
Enclosure: Choice Request Form
School Choice Request Form
“No Child Left Behind”
Public School Choice (Section 1116)
Ouachita Parish School District
100 Bry Street
Monroe, LA 71201
Student Name:
Phone: (318) 432-5000
SSN:
(Please Print) Last
First
Address:
Zip Code:
(Street)
City
Apt. #
My child will be in the ___________ grade when the 2015-2016 school year begins.
Name of Parent or Legal Guardian:
(Please Print)
Home Phone:
Business Phone:
Cell Phone:
Return this form to the SCHOOL OFFICE AT SHADY GROVE by the end of the day (3:00 pm)
Thursday, April 2, 2015. *Please indicate school by ranking 1st, 2nd, or 3rd next to your choice.
CHOICES
_____Boley Elementary (K-5) 2213 Cypress Street, West Monroe, LA 71291
_____Calhoun Elementary (K-2) 237 Calhoun Road, Calhoun, LA 71225
_____Central Elementary (3-5) 1163 Hwy 151 South, Calhoun, LA 71225
_____Claiborne Elementary (K-5) 1011 Wallace Dean Rd., West Monroe, LA 71291
_____Drew Elementary (K-5) 1132 Hwy 15, West Monroe, LA 71291
_____George Welch Elementary (K-5) 199 Caldwell Rd., West Monroe, LA 71291
_____Highland Elementary (K-5) 1501 Wellerman Road, West Monroe, LA 71291
_____Jack Hayes Elementary (K-5) 22 Old Sterlington Road, Monroe, LA 71203
_____Kiroli Elementary (K-5) 700 Kiroli Road, West Monroe, LA 71291
_____Lakeshore Elementary (K-5) 550 Balboa Street, Monroe, LA 71203
_____Pinecrest Elementary (K-5) 3604 Hwy 557, West Monroe, LA 71292
_____Riser Elementary (K-5) 100 Price Drive, West Monroe, LA 71292
_____Sterlington Elementary (K-5) 9040 Hwy 165 North, Monroe, LA 71203
_____Swartz Lower Elementary (K-2) 235 Swartz School Rd., Monroe, LA 71203
_____Swartz Upper Elementary (3-5) 400 Lincoln Hill Rd., Monroe, LA 71203
_____Woodlawn Elementary (K-5) 5946 Jonesboro Road, West Monroe, LA 71292
Letter Grade B
Letter Grade B
Letter Grade B
Letter Grade A
Letter Grade A
Letter Grade A
Letter Grade B
Letter Grade B
Letter Grade A
Letter Grade B
Letter Grade A
Letter Grade C
Letter Grade A
Letter Grade B
Letter Grade B
Letter Grade A
Parent/Guardian Signature
Date
Comments
*Ouachita Parish School District will make an effort to assign your child to your first school choice; however, we cannot assure you
that we will be able to honor your request. The lowest achieving students on free/reduced lunch will receive priority in Section 1116
transfers.
OFFICE USE ONLY
APPROVED
 1st Choice
 2nd Choice
 3rd Choice
DENIED 
Reason Denied:
Supervisor Signature
_____________________________________________
Date