Policy JC: Attendance Areas (Amherst)

Attendance areas for the elementary schools of the town of Amherst will be drawn up by the Superintendent and approved by the School Committee. The primary considerations that govern the establishment of a school attendance area are school capacity and transportation considerations. Generally, students will attend the school in the attendance area in which they live, except as enrollment in a school in another area is approved in accordance with the Open Enrollment Policy or as a Special Education Placement.

In establishing an attendance area, the following general guidelines will also be applied:

• Use of safe walking conditions consistent with the Committee’s transportation policies; where possible, major traffic thoroughfares and natural barriers will be used for boundaries.
• Honoring community of interest; where possible, school attendance zones will incorporate community patterns.

From time to time, an overcrowded condition in an existing school, the development of new residential areas, or the opening of a new school may require the establishment or change of previously established school attendance areas.

The Superintendent is authorized to make exceptions to attendance lines for individual children in the best interests of the student and/or the school.

Region Voted to Approve:
Amherst Voted to Approve: 8/19/86
Pelham Voted to Approve:
Effective Date: 8/19/86