schoolsearch: Bus service a first for fundamental schools

Bus service a first for fundamental schools

Lack of bus service often kept families from applying to the popular schools. The added service is expected to make waiting lists much longer.

By JON WILSON, Times Staff Writer

Lack of bus service often kept families from applying to the popular schools. The added service is expected to make waiting lists much longer.

One big factor is likely to make already popular fundamental schools even more attractive for the 2003-04 school year: Students more than 2 miles from the schools will have bus service for the first time.

It likely will mean more families will apply to the county's five elementary and two middle school fundamentals. (There are no high school fundamentals.) In the past, lack of bus service has made it difficult for some families to apply, said Christine Lowry, the supervisor of magnet and fundamental schools.

Fundamental schools have been in Pinellas since 1976, when Curtis Elementary was designated the county's first.

The highly structured programs have since become the choice of parents who want old-fashioned academic basics, strict student accountability, discipline, homework and dress codes. Parents are expected to be heavily involved, including attendance at meetings and conferences with teachers.

There are no academic requirements, but parents and students are required to sign performance contracts.

The formula attracts many more applicants than the programs can serve. "We have an extensive waiting list," Lowry said. Random computer selection is used to fill enrollment. The application deadline is Oct. 15, and letters will be mailed Nov. 10 notifying families whether they were accepted.

All elementary fundamental schools are open to all students in the county, wherever they live. Besides Curtis, the others are Bay Vista, Lakeview and Pasadena elementaries in St. Petersburg, and Tarpon Springs Fundamental.

Middle fundamental schools are Southside in St. Petersburg and Coachman in Clearwater. They also are open to students countywide. (Thurgood Marshall Middle, a new school opening next fall, will function like a fundamental, but it is a "choice" school in Attendance Area A, not a countywide program. It follows the rules and application deadlines of other choice schools.)

For information, visit the magnet and fundamental Web site at www.pinellas.k12.fl.us/MCP/mcp.htm or call 588-6432.