NORTH PENN SCHOOL DISTRICT
Lansdale, PA 19446-3960
INFORMATIONAL SHEETS
ITEM NUMBER: ____________
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SUBJECT: 2015-16 Elementary & Middle School Boundary Realignments
MONTH/YEAR PRESENTED TO BOARD: February 2015
INITIATED BY: Dr. Diane Holben
COMMITTEE: Education/Community/Policy Committee
RECOMMENDATION: Recommend approval to adopt the proposed elementary
and middle school boundary realignments as described.
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BACKGROUND:
Proposed Boundary Realignment for 2015-16
Rationale:
For the past several years, the enrollment in the Lansdale and Hatfield areas of the district has
demonstrated an increase. Accordingly, the schools serving those areas have increased in enrollment
while the schools in other portions of the district have decreased enrollment. Three of the schools most
affected by this enrollment shift are York Avenue Elementary and Knapp Elementary. The chart below
summarizes the recent enrollment trend for these two schools.
School
2010-11
2011-12
2012-13
2013-14
2014-15
Projected
2015-16
674
370
Knapp
622
593
598
623
672
York Avenue
323
359
373
361*
342*
*Boundary realignment reduced the enrollment by approximately 25 students who were reassigned to Inglewood in each of
these two years.
Given the increases to enrollment in these attendance areas and the likelihood that these trends will
continue, the district recommends a realignment of boundaries to balance the enrollments at these
schools. In addition, boundary realignment for Penndale Middle School is also recommended to better
balance the enrollments among the three middle schools.
DATE PREPARED: 2/4/15
Realignment 1: York Avenue Elementary
The proposed boundary realignment for York Avenue would reassign approximately 54 students to
Gwyn-Nor Elementary. Currently, Gwyn-Nor has the capacity to enroll more students and staffing would
be adjusted accordingly between the two schools. The area designated for reassignment is marked on
the attached map and includes the following streets:
Jenkins
Kriebel
Park Avenue
Penn
South Line
Chestnut
Church Road
Park Avenue
East Main
East Mt. Vernon
The specific number of students impacted is represented in the chart below:
School
York Avenue
Gwyn-Nor
Projected 2015-16
Enrollment
370
595
Number of Students
Reassigned
-67
+67
Revised 2015-16
Projected Enrollment
303
662
Given that the area designated for redistricting is immediately adjacent to Penndale Middle School,
these students will remain assigned to Penndale for grades 7-9.
Realignment 2: Knapp Elementary
The proposed boundary realignment for Knapp would reassign approximately 119 students to
Montgomery Elementary. Currently, Montgomery has the capacity to enroll more students and staffing
would be adjusted accordingly between the two schools. The area designated for reassignment is
marked on the attached map and includes the following streets:
General Hancock
Georges
Jene
Joshua
Montclaire
North Wales Road
Sterling
Susan Circle
Amy
Anthony
Avondale
Carson
Cheswick
Devon
Dayton
Eaton
The specific number of students impacted is represented in the chart below:
School
Knapp
Montgomery
Projected 2015-16
Enrollment
674
563
Number of Students
Reassigned
-119
+119
Revised 2015-16
Projected Enrollment
555
682
Realignment 3: Penndale Middle School
The proposed boundary realignment for Penndale is two-fold. In total, approximately 150 students
would be reassigned to either Pennfield or Pennbrook. Currently, both Pennfield and Pennbrook have
the capacity to enroll more students and staffing would be adjusted accordingly between the two
schools. The proposed shifts are marked on the maps attached and are described below.
Penndale to Pennbrook
The students reassigned from Knapp Elementary to Montgomery Elementary would also be reassigned
from Penndale to Pennbrook for grades 7-9. The area and streets affected are the same as the Knapp to
Montgomery realignment. The specific number of students impacted is represented in the chart below:
School
Penndale
Pennbrook
Projected 2015-16
Enrollment
1351
843
Number of Students
Reassigned
-37
+37
Revised 2015-16
Projected Enrollment
1314
880
Penndale to Pennfield
The proposed boundary realignment from Penndale to Pennfield would reassign a portion of the Kulp
Elementary School attendance area to Pennfield for grades 7-9. Currently, Pennfield has the capacity to
enroll more students and staffing would be adjusted accordingly. The proposed shift is marked on the
attached map and includes the streets listed below:
East Orvilla
Georgia
Anthony
Pebble Wood
Greenwood
Bent
Pelham
Hilltown Pike
Bethlehem Pike
Quincy
Holly
Birchwood
Roxbury
Huntingdon
Brentwood
Schwab
Ida
Cabin
Sharon
Independence
Chelsea
Stewart
Jodi Sue
Cindy
Stoneham
Karol
Claremont
Tennis
Leas
Clymer
Thatcher
Line Lexington
Concord
Timber
Maple
Cowpath
Trewigtown
Merel
Creek
Valley Woods
Moore
Deer Run
West Orvilla
Moyer
Downing
Wimbledon
Needham
Forest Hills
Woodview
New Galena
Foster
The specific number of students impacted is represented in the chart below:
School
Projected 2015-16
Enrollment
1314*
748
Number of Students
Reassigned
-113
+113
Penndale
Pennfield
*Projection after the proposed realignment of 37 students to Pennbrook
Revised 2015-16
Projected Enrollment
1201
861
Transition Process:
Elementary:
•
Families impacted by boundary realignment will receive notification via a mailed letter to their
home pending approval by the School Board.
•
Principals of sending schools will host an informational session for parents to ask questions and
address concerns.
•
The two receiving schools will extend an invitation for parents to meet with the Principal and key
staff members in early Spring.
•
Students who are assigned to a new elementary school will participate in a tour of the building,
“Meet and Greet” with staff, and attend a luncheon. This will occur during the school day in late
Spring.
•
In the Summer of 2015, families assigned to a new elementary school will have the opportunity to
tour their new school and meet with key personnel. This will occur in mid-July in the evening.
•
Grade 6 students will have the option to remain at their current elementary school. Specific
information will be sent to the impacted families.
Secondary:
•
Families impacted by boundary realignment will receive notification via a mailed letter to their
home pending approval by the School Board.
•
All incoming Grade 7 students will report to the newly assigned school beginning with the 2015-16
school year.
•
In the Spring of 2015, Grade 7 students will participate in all transition programs at their newly
assigned school including student visitation, Parent Evening, and Principal outreach. Students will
also participate in an orientation program at the end of the Summer.
•
Grade 8 and Grade 9 students will participate in an orientation program at the end of the Summer at
their new school, as well as have the option to visit the school during the summer for a building
tour. Further details on summer building tours will be communicated at a later date.
•
Grade 8 and Grade 9 students will have the option to remain at their current middle school until the
completion of their middle school years. Specific information will be sent to the impacted families.
Note: Legend for attached maps: Hashed Lines = deleted boundary lines; Dashed lines = added boundary lines