School officials unveil streamlined enrollment for Camden
Camden school officials on Tuesday unveiled the district's new enrollment system, which they said would streamline a process they described as burdensome and overly complex.
Camden school officials on Tuesday unveiled the district's new enrollment system, which they said would streamline a process they described as burdensome and overly complex.
The system comes with a family-friendly guide and website at camdenenrollment.org with information on the 38 traditional public, charter, and renaissance schools participating.
"As a parent, I know that finding the right school for my child is absolutely critical," state-appointed Camden School Superintendent Paymon Rouhanifard said. "As superintendent, I know that helping parents access the best option for their child will benefit students and schools."
Camden Enrollment, which offers one application with a single deadline for all participating schools, replaces the district's patchwork system of 17 different applications with deadlines that fall over a nine-month period, officials said.
Applications will be available online and on paper, and in English and Spanish, starting Jan. 5. The Camden Enrollment Hotline, which opened Tuesday, is 856-536-3999.
Students with special needs and bilingual students will receive outreach to discuss their school choices, officials said, and the system also offers preferences for families that want siblings to attend the same school.
All children in the under-10,000 student district still have guaranteed seats at their neighborhood district schools, Rouhanifard said, but the system is aimed at making it easier for students to apply for transfers if they wish. Starting next September, the district also will provide transportation to district schools that are more than two miles from a student's home, a service currently offered only to charter and renaissance school students.
School placements for participating students are expected to be announced in April.
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