FAQ
ELIGIBILITY
1. Who is eligible to enroll?
Acceptance into ASA is on a first-come first-serve basis or a lottery if all seats are filled. If you are interested in attending ASA, you must:
- Be 16 years of age
- Have completed one year of high school
- Be a resident of Chicago
- Be willing to commit to a minimum 1-year residency
- Not be a former student of Community Christian Academy or CSW Career Academy
- Meet our minimum testing requirements
- Pay a $20 non-refundable TABE testing fee
- Have a parent or legal guardian accompany them if they qualify for an interview
- Pay a $150 non-refundable registration fee if they pass both phases of the admissions process
2. What is the minimum credit I must have to enroll at ASA?
There are no minimum credits required for ASA enrollment. If you meet all eligibility requirements, an ASA representative will contact you to discuss your academic and credit history.
3. Do I have to be a high school drop-out to attend ASA?
No. ASA provides a two-year academic, non-graded curriculum that is geared toward at-risk youth. Our specialty is providing high school students who are not succeeding in traditional public high school settings with a second chance at a general high school diploma. Several of our students come to us because they have dropped out, are pregnant, or have been chronically truant from school. Others, however, come to us because they prefer a small school setting and are seeking individualized study. We encourage you to visit our school to learn if it is right for you. To schedule a campus tour, please call Sabine Champagne, Director, Resource Development, at 773-921-1315.
ENTRANCE EXAMS/TESTING
1. What is the TABE and why do I have to take it?
The Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) is designed to measure achievement of basic skills commonly found in most adult basic education curricula. The tests measure basic reading, mathematics and language arts skills. ASA requires all prospective students to take the TABE reading and math modules, because it helps us determine student achievement and design appropriate individual learning plans.
2. When can I take the TABE?
Testing dates and times vary throughout the school year. Please call the school at 773-921-1315 for testing dates and times.
3. When will I get my TABE results?
ASA will call you within 24 hours of taking the test to inform you of your results.
4. What if I fail the TABE, can I still attend ASA?
Actually, you cannot fail the TABE. The test simply measures your achievement in a particular subject area. Unfortunately, if you meet all the eligibility requirements, but do not meet ASA’s minimum TABE test score of 6.5 in math or reading, you will not be eligible to enroll. You will be eligible to re-take the exam at ASA in one year.
ADMISSIONS
1. What is the cost of admission?
The annual registration fee for new and returning students is $150. This is a non-refundable fee that is paid at the beginning of the school year, prior to the first day of school.
2. What is the admissions process?
The ASA admissions process is conducted in two-phases. Prospective students must complete both phases to be admitted to the school.
Phase 1: The Entrance Exam
ASA administers the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) to all prospective students. The TABE is designed to measure achievement of basic skills commonly found in most adult basic education curricula. ASA uses the TABE to measure basic reading and mathematics skills. In order to enroll at ASA, prospective students must score a minimum of 6.5 in reading and math. Test-takers are notified by ASA of their test results within 24-hours of taking the exam.
Phase 2: The Interview
Prospective students who pass the school’s minimum testing requirements are eligible for an enrollment interview. A parent or legal guardian must accompany the student at the time of the interview.
Enrollment/Registration
Prospective students who have completed both phases of the admissions process may be eligible to register. Parents must accompany students at the time of registration. Students must bring the following with them:
- A copy of your transcript from your previous high school (official or unofficial)
- An official release/withdrawal from your previous high school
- A copy of your birth certificate
- Your social security card
- A copy of your current health records including immunization records
- Proof of Residency
- Parental Proof of Income
- A valid picture I.D.
- IEP (individualized education plan) or 504 plan if applicable
- Non-Refundable $150 school registration fee
- Your parent(s) or legal guardian(s)
Once enrolled, all students must attend new student orientation, typically held within the first month of school.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
1. When does school start?
For the most part, ASA follows The Chicago Public Schools (CPS) regular track calendar. However, there are variations with regard to professional development days, report card pick-up days, etc. For specific dates, please refer to the ASA school calendar or contact the school at 773-921-1315.
2. Does ASA require uniforms?
ASA does not require uniforms, however, all students are expected to come to school well-groomed, hair combed, and in clothes that is appropriate and supportive of learning and free from distractions. All students must adhere to our dress code policy. Students are prohibited from the following on school grounds:
- Hats, baseball caps, bandanas or scarves
- Sagging pants; students must fasten their pants with a belt at the waist
- Clothing with gang symbols or inflammatory, suggestive or discriminatory language
- Combs, picks, rollers in the hair
- Uncombed, or un-kept hair
- House shoes, flip flops or slippers
- Shorts, mini-skirts (all skirts must be knee-length or longer)
- Jackets, coats, or other outer-garments
- Mid-riff shirts or blouses; halter, tank, tube or spathetti-strap tops; blouses that are see-through, backless or reveal bare shoulders, hips or waists
- Clothing that exposes undergarments
- Sleeveless shirts (for men)
Additionally, all students must wear their ASA identification badge at all times.
3. Is there free transportation to ASA?
No, students are responsible for their own transportation to and from school. ASA is accessible via public transportation and close to several bus routes.
Homeless or low-income students may be provided bus passes through a partnership program ASA has with The Chicago Public Schools (CPS). Other low income students with transportation needs may be provided with bus passes based on available funds. ASA’s counseling and social services department reviews and approves all bus pass requests.
4. Does ASA offer a hot lunch program?
Yes, ASA offers a free and reduced-cost cold breakfast and hot lunch program in collaboration with The Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
5. What are the expectations of parent involvement?
Parents are expected to be active participants in their child’s learning experiences. ASA invites parents to monthly Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) meetings to learn about school news, upcoming events and explore opportunities for further involvement in school activities.
6. Does ASA offer a formal graduation ceremony?
Yes, ASA offers a formal graduation ceremony.
7. Does ASA offer a formal Senior Prom?
Yes, ASA, in conjunction with Community Services West (CSW), offers a formal Senior Prom. Students must be in their senior year and in good academic and behavioral standing to be eligible to attend.
ACADEMICS
1. My child has special needs, how will ASA address them?
ASA has a special education teacher from The Chicago Public Schools (CPS) who is onsite several days a week to collaborate with teachers, aid and modify lesson plans, and meet with students to discuss their individual needs. The special education teacher also provides one-on-one instruction as needed. Additionally, ASA teachers differentiate their lessons to instruct students with special needs as directed by the students’ individualized education plan (IEP).
2. What is an IEP?
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires all public schools to develop individualized education plans for students with special education needs. The IEPs describe the performance goals for each student and identify any special supports the child will need to be successful in school. Prospective ASA students with special needs are asked to present their existing IEPs to the registrar at the time of enrollment.
3. What is an AEP?
The alternative education plan is an individual learning plan that is developed at the beginning of each school year with the student, parent/guardian and teachers. At ASA each student receives an AEP, which serves as a tailor-made blue print of a student’s educational goals, expectations and performance objectives for the year. The AEP is a working document that is used throughout the year to monitor student performance, identify strengths and improvement areas, and discover any barriers to student success.
4. How do I know if my student’s performance is improving?
ASA provides several ways to track student performance. The school distributes progress reports to students every five weeks. The reports indicate the student’s academic grades as of that point in time and specify areas of improvement for students to focus on for the remainder of the quarter. Report cards are distributed every 10 weeks. Parents are required to pick up the report cards on designated pick-up days between 1 pm and 6 pm. ASA also encourages parents to request parent-teacher conferences if they have questions or concerns regarding their student’s academic performance.
5. How does ASA handle state/standardized tests?
ASA administers the following required standardized tests: PLAN, EXPLORE, PSAE and ACT.
EXPLORE: administered to ASA underclass students in the fall, this test is designed to help underclass students (pre-11th graders) explore future career opportunities and prepare for high school coursework and post-high school choices.
PLAN: administered to ASA underclass students and juniors in the fall, the PLAN serves as a pre-ACT and is used to help predict future performance on the ACT. The PLAN helps students measure academic development and explore career options.
ACT: a national college admission exam, ASA requires all students to take the ACT upon completion of high school. The test is a combination of four subject area tests in Math, Science, English and Reading. The ACT includes multiple choice questions and takes approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete. The ACT is administered on five test dates in October, December, February, April and June. ASA students are encouraged to take the tests in December.
PSAE: The Prairie State Achievement Exam (PSAE) is an assessment that will be given to juniors throughout the state of Illinois and is designed to measure students on the Illinois Learning Standards for reading, writing, mathematics and social science. ASA’s 11th grade students will take the PSAE tests in the spring.
TABE: Although not a standardized test, ASA administers the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) to all students three times a year at the beginning, midpoint and end of the school year. ASA uses the test to measure basic reading, mathematics and language arts progression throughout the year. Students must score a minimum of 10.5 in order to graduate.
