Registration closes Saturday for those wishing to select a school for their Champaign Unit 4 kindergartener.
Families rank all 12 of the district’s elementary schools in the registration process. Then a computer algorithm places students based on the ranking and a few other factors, like where siblings attend.
Orlando Thomas is the executive director of the Unit 4 Schools of Choice program. He says those who register late sometimes have fewer schools to pick from.
“You’ll certainly still have the option to give us your choice, but it’s then based on available seats. You are at a disadvantage, because some of the seats may be filled. So there are benefits of registering on time,” Thomas says.
Unit 4’s choice process is meant to ensure that students from different socio-economic backgrounds are evenly dispersed throughout the district’s schools . The district is analyzing the process this year for possible improvements. They’re asking families to complete a survey as part of registration.
Families can sign up online through Saturday at www.champaignschools.org/choice or call for help at 217-373-7311.