A PARENT’S GUIDE TO THE NORTH EAST INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
CAMPUSES
70 CAMPUSES
• 45 elementary schools
• 14 middle schools
• 8 high schools
• 2 alternative campuses (Academy of Creative Education and North East Alternative Center)
• 1 Pre-K Academy at West Avenue
STUDENTS
58,556* STUDENTS
Elementary
25,752
12,947
19,857
African American 7.33% Asian 4.03% Hispanic-Latino 60.86% Native American 0.23% Pacific Islander 0.12% Two-Or-More 3.93% White 23.5%
*Projected for 2022-2023
11 MAGNET PROGRAMS
2 MAGNET SCHOOLS
Programs: Krueger School of Applied Technologies, Engineering and Technologies Academy, Design and Technology Academy (middle and high school), STEM Academy (middle and high school), Agriscience Magnet Program, Career and Technical Education Center, North East School of the Arts, MAC UP and Institute of CyberSecurity and Innovation
4,036 SCHOOL/DISTRICT STAFF
4,172 TEACHERS
8,433 IN TOTAL Teacher Salary Ranges
SUPPORT SERVICES
SCHOOL NUTRITION SERVICES KIDS INVOLVEMENT NETWORK SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION
Trained bus drivers and assistants get 15,000 students safely to their destinations each day.
During the 2021-2022 school year, 9 million free meals were served to NEISD students.
For more detailed District information, visit neisd.net
An award-winning after-school program serves thousands of students each year.
Welcome to North East ISD. Our District is designed to create opportunities for children to explore, discover and unlock their potential. Whether you select our magnet schools, AP courses, Fine Arts programs, JROTC or athletic activities, you will discover that NEISD offers endless possibilities.
Our leaders are passionate individuals who work tirelessly to ensure that these opportunities exist.
NEISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES
NEISD is governed by a seven-member school board elected by its residents. Each trustee serves a four-year term and represents the single member district in which they reside.
NEISD EXECUTIVE STAFF
In addition to the Superintendent of Schools, the NEISD Executive Staff includes the Chief Financial Officer, Chief of Leadership and Schools, Chief Instructional Officer, Chief Operations Officer, and Executive Director of Communications.
TOP LEFT TO RIGHT: Shannon Grona, President; Terri Williams, Vice President; Sandy Hughey, Secretary BOTTOM LEFT TO RIGHT: David Beyer, Trustee; Steve Hilliard, Trustee; Marsha Landry, Trustee; Diane Sciba Villarreal, Trustee
TOP LEFT TO RIGHT: Dr. Sean Maika, Superintendent of Schools; Dan Villarreal, Chief Financial Officer; Rudy Jimenez, Chief of Leadership and Schools
BOTTOM LEFT TO RIGHT: ; Anthony Jarrett, Chief Instructional Officer; Dr. Anthony Mitchell, Chief Operations Officer; Aubrey Chancellor, Executive Director of Communications
NEW STUDENT REGISTRATION
The NEISD online registration system was developed to help parents expedite their student’s registration process. Parents of students who are new to the District are encouraged to use the online system. If your student is currently enrolled and attending a NEISD school, you do not need to use the online registration system to stay enrolled. If you have been enrolled in NEISD in the past and are returning to our District, you can use the online registration system to update your information. You can access the online registration system on the main page of the NEISD website at neisd.net. It takes two easy steps.
Step one: Register online and upload your documents.
Step two: Confirm your registration with your campus.
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
• Proof of residency
• Current immunization record
• Birth certificate
• Report card from previous school (if applicable)
• Social Security card
HEALTH SERVICES
The health and wellness of our students is a top priority. NEISD Heath Services positions a registered nurse (RN) at every campus. A licensed vocational nurse (LVN) is also housed at every high school. Additionally, a team of flex nurses travel to different schools to help where needed.
By age 5, most children are spending more time in school than in any other activity. This makes the school nurse a primary resource in recognizing and managing children’s health problems. School nurses have professional education and expertise to function successfully in the separate, but connected, systems of education and health care. Optimal learning requires good emotional and physical health. The school nurse is committed to each child´s development and safety. Among the items they oversee is a student’s immunization records. State law and NEISD policy requires medically validated up-to-date records of immunizations to be on file for all students. Immunization records must be complete as medically feasible. A listing of immunization required by the state can be found on the District website under Health Services or with your school nurse.
RULES FOR KINDERGARTEN AND FIRST GRADE
According to state law, a child who has reached five years of age on or before Sept. 1 of the current school year is eligible to attend kindergarten. Children enrolling in first grade must also be six years old by Sept. 1 of the current school year. A student who is five years old on or before Sept. 1 of the current school year and has completed public school kindergarten in another state or is enrolled in a public school first-grade class in another state may continue in the first grade if he/ she moves into North East ISD during the school year.
FIND A CAMPUS
Attendance at a particular school is dependent upon a student’s home address. Parents who move within the District or are new to North East ISD altogether, can go to the NEISD website to find out what school their child needs to attend. Go to the Schools page and select the “NEISD Schools by Home Address” button. Enter the name of your street and the corresponding elementary, middle and high school will appear. For questions about finding your school, call 210-407-0040.
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation is available to students who live two miles or more from their assigned school. The distance a student lives from their assigned school is measured using the shortest route traveled on publicly maintained roads between the nearest property line of the campus and the nearest property line of the student’s legal residence. Students residing less than two miles from their assigned school may have temporary transportation available if their neighborhood qualifies as hazardous under the District’s hazardous transportation rating system. Call Transportation at 210-356-9200 for more information.
2022-2023 START AND DISMISSAL TIMES
Colonial Hills, Harmony Hills, Jackson-Keller, Longs Creek, Oak Grove, Oak Meadow, Redland Oaks, Regency Place, Thousand Oaks
AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM
The Kids’ Involvement Network (KIN) is the District’s after-school program with sites at every elementary and middle school campus. KIN serves thousands of students annually. The program is in operation from the time school dismisses until 6:30 p.m., every day school is in session. Registration is conducted online. Financial assistance is available; however, funds are limited and support documentation must be submitted along with a completed application. For more information, call 210-407-0140.
SCHOOL NUTRITION SERVICES
School Nutrition Services at North East ISD recognizes the strong relationship between nutrition and learning. To support this relationship, School Nutrition Services seeks to provide nutritious meals that are made from quality food products and are acceptable to the students. Breakfast and lunch are available to all students every day. In addition to breakfast and lunch, a variety of a la carte items are available. The department offers online pre-payments for your child’s cafeteria meal account through a secure third party. A convenience fee is charged per transaction.
Parents may fill out an application at any time during the school year for free or reduced price meals. Apply online at neisd.net or request an application at your child’s school. Several campuses qualify for free meals through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program. Contact your campus to see if your school is one of these.
SKYWARD FAMILY ACCESS
Skyward is the Student Information System for North East ISD. The system provides quick access to things, such as progress reports, report cards, attendance information and more.
REPORT CARDS
Each school year is divided into two semesters. Each semester consists of two nine-week grading periods. Report cards provide the student and parents/guardians with a cumulative report of the student’s progress in each course in which he/she is enrolled. Electronic report cards are available through Skyward Family Access.
PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION (PTA)
PTA members advocate on behalf of students and teachers. You can support your child’s PTA in a variety of ways including fundraising, volunteer efforts and participation in school events. It’s not just for parents. Grandparents, aunts, uncles and more are welcome. Contact your child’s school for information on how to join.
FAMILY ENGAGEMENT TEAM
Family Specialists/Student and Family Liaisons are located at 61 NEISD campuses to provide support and services for all students and their families, creating a true connection between home, school, and community. Family Specialists/Student and Family Liaisons build communication between parents, school and community to assist students and families who are experiencing barriers; and, to empower all parents to fulfill their role as their child’s first teacher.
FAMILY ENGAGEMENT LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
The District’s Family Engagement Leadership Academy provides an opportunity for parents, grandparents and community members to acquire and apply the knowledge and skills necessary to fulfill the role as their child’s primary teacher. Participants are offered information on a wide variety of subjects. Course topics include Parenting, Life Skills and Essential Knowledge, Academic Skills, Health, Nutrition, and Safety, Leadership and Community Service.
SCHOOL CHOICE
Under School Choice, parents/guardians can request that their child be transferred to another school within the District other than the one serving their residence. For any new student enrolling in kindergarten through 12th grade, the window for School Choice will be open for five school business days from the student’s verified enrollment date.
A new student is defined as any student enrolling in NEISD for the first time, a student who either did not have residence in North East ISD during the School Choice established window, a student who is the first in his/ her family to register to attend a North East ISD school, or any student returning to NEISD after being out of the District for more than one full year, but who was not out of the District for disciplinary purposes or to avoid a disciplinary assignment.
Once enrolled on the campus that you are zoned to attend based on your home address, you may access the link to begin the School Choice application process. Please note that no student is guaranteed a transfer via School Choice and some campuses/grade levels may be unavailable contingent upon current enrollment, campus capacity, and/or staffing levels.
For current NEISD students, School Choice online applications will be available for submission beginning on the first school business day of December at 7:20 a.m. and ending at the close of school business on the first instructional day of the subsequent school year. If you have questions, contact Pupil Personnel Services at 210-407-0070.
SPECIAL EDUCATION
All children with disabilities residing in Texas, regardless of the severity of their disabilities, and who are in need of special education and related services, must be identified, located and evaluated. This process is defined in federal and state regulations as CHILD FIND. North East ISD participates in CHILD FIND through referrals for evaluation from parents and from the educators who work with the child in the classroom.
Parents of pre-school aged children who may be concerned about the development of their child or suspect that their child may have a disability are encouraged to contact their home campus. When a referral is made, the campus will gather information about the child and parent, including contact information and issues of concern.
A range of special education services are available at each campus. Students with individualized education programs (IEPs) are educated in the least restrictive environment as determined by the admission, review and dismissal committee. NEISD ensures that each student is provided with a free and appropriate public education and that IEPs are designed to convey educational benefit for each student to make progress in the general curriculum. For more information, call the Special Education department at 210-407-0185.
GIFTED AND TALENTED PROGRAM
The purpose of the North East ISD Gifted and Talented (G/T) program is to facilitate the optimal development of each student’s intellectual and creative gifts and talents. Students who participate in G/T services
will demonstrate skills in self-directed learning, thinking, research, and communication as evidenced by the development of innovative products and performances that reflect individuality and creativity and are advanced in relation to students of similar age, experience or environment. Teachers, parents, counselors or administrative personnel may refer students for the G/T program. Contact your school’s G/T teacher at the elementary level or counselor at the secondary level for more information.
DRESS CODE
North East ISD believes that school performance and future success are enhanced by appropriate dress and good grooming. Parents and guardians are strongly urged to work closely with the school to ensure their child adheres to NEISD’s high standards.
Some NEISD elementary and middle schools have adopted uniform requirements. The following is a list of these campuses: Camelot and Ridgeview elementary schools; and Eisenhower, Garner, Jackson, Krueger, Nimitz and Ed White middle schools. To confirm and find out the specific needs, please check with your campus.
STUDENT AND VISITOR BAGS
To enhance safety, visitors and guests at Blossom Athletic Center and Heroes Stadium must carry clear bags into the facilities. Purses or other bags will not be allowed at either athletic venue. Specifications for both types of bags are available on the District website at www.neisd.net.
SCHOOL SAFETY
The North East ISD Police Department (NEPD) is a 24-hour service provider whose focus is the safety of all students, staff, faculty and visitors. The department works closely with all local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. When fully staffed, NEPD has 70 sworn officers, including two K-9 units, two detectives and a forensic investigator. NEISD is the only school district in San Antonio with an officer assigned to the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force. NEPD has at least one officer at each high school and middle school. In addition, there are dedicated officers patrolling the District’s elementary schools. There are cameras and buzz-in systems at the front doors of our schools. Doors across campuses are equipped with keycard-access locks. There is perimeter fencing at all high schools and middle schools. Additionally, NEISD has contracted with a company to monitor social media constantly.
LEADER IN ME
Leader in Me (LiM) is an evidence-based, comprehensive model that builds leadership and life skills in students, creates a high-trust school culture and lays the foundation for sustained academic achievement. There are more than 5,000 LiM schools in all 50 states and in more than 50 countries. The LiM mission is to unleash the greatness in students, educators and school communities everywhere. NEISD has more than 16 campuses implementing the program of which 11 of these schools are recognized as Lighthouse schools. Lighthouse schools serve as a model for leadership culture for campuses across the country.
PALS
Peer Assistance Leadership and Service (PALS) is an elective course offered for credit at the high school level for students who are juniors or seniors. Eighth-grade middle school students can take PALS as an elective course. Students receive training that enables them to work with their peers and younger students. In addition, PALS engage in community service projects throughout the year. Students apply for the PALS program each spring and are selected through a process that includes nominations, applications, references and interviews. PALS receive training in leadership, communication, group dynamics, confidentiality and conflict resolution/mediation.
PRE-KINDERGARTEN
North East ISD offers full-day pre-kindergarten program for students who turn four on or before Sept. 1 of the current school year and live within our District boundaries. Currently, 37 elementary campuses, including the Pre-K Academy at West Avenue, offer a full-day pre-K program for qualifying students, as well as tuition-based seats. In addition, the Pre-K Academy at West Avenue offers a program for students who turn three on or before Sept. 1. Contact the Early Childhood Education department for more information at 210-407-0345.
BILINGUAL EDUCATION
The One-Way Dual Language model is a form of bilingual education available at 12 North East ISD campuses. It enables English Language Learner (ELL) students to develop competency in comprehending, speaking, reading and writing in both English and Spanish. Our goal is for students to be fully bilingual and bi-literate by the end of fifth grade.
The Two-Way Dual Language model is a form of bilingual education that also operates at 16 NEISD elementary schools and the Pre-K Academy. Ideally, Two-Way Dual Language classes are comprised of one-half native Spanish speakers and one-half native English speakers. This model begins in kindergarten, and our goal is for students to be fully bilingual and bi-literate by the end of fifth grade. The Middle School Dual Language model operates at five middle schools. It allows elementary dual language students to continue in the program throughout their middle school years and earn Spanish AP credit at the end of eighth grade. The High School Dual Language model operates at MacArthur High School. It allows dual language students to continue in the program throughout their high school years to develop more advanced skills in Spanish, and they are offered the opportunity to add a third language if desired. For more information on these programs, contact the Bilingual/ESL department in Curriculum and Instruction at 210-407-0338.
FINE ARTS
North East ISD provides its students a quality, well-rounded education: academics plus extracurricular activities. Research has shown that students who have access to this type of balanced education excel in all areas of academics and assessments. Fine Arts offers an enriching
curriculum including visual arts, theatre, music, dance, cheer, speech, debate, journalism and outdoor education. In partnership with other academic disciplines, Fine Arts increases academic achievement, social and emotional development, and civic engagement. As a result, students are empowered to use their minds more creatively, inspiring them through diversity in learning to broaden their life experiences.
ATHLETICS
North East ISD’s Athletics department develops a program of competitive athletics that focuses on enhancing student performance. This program is inclusive of all students who have the desire and ability to participate in University Interscholastic League (UIL) sports that promote individual and team development.
High school male sports include football, cross country, tennis, wrestling, basketball, soccer, swimming, baseball, track and field and golf. High school female sports include volleyball, cross country, tennis, wrestling, basketball, soccer, swimming, softball, track and field and golf. In the middle schools, sports are football, volleyball, basketball, soccer, track and field, golf and tennis. In the elementary schools, there is a highlydeveloped physical education program that includes field days and special programs to demonstrate athletic skills.
JROTC
The North East ISD JROTC program focuses on building students’ selfesteem, confidence, skills, and behaviors to become successful and productive citizens. Cadets are leaders who are preparing themselves for success in school and life. JROTC is not a military recruitment or military preparation program. While many cadets do go on to serve in our military forces, there is no obligation associated with participation.
The Army JROTC program is a nationally-accredited curriculum that serves as an important component of a student’s development and preparation for success in and out of the classroom. The program of study reinforces core curriculum. In addition, cadets learn goal setting, organizational planning, leadership, personal responsibility, social etiquette, study skills, career planning, financial literacy, communication, values and the responsibilities of citizenship. Our programs offer a wide range of extracurricular activities and programs that allow cadets to extend learning beyond the classroom, make friends and work as member of a team in a supportive, success-oriented environment.
CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION
Career and Technical Education courses are offered at all middle and high school campuses. Program areas include: Agriculture; Architecture and Construction; Arts, A/V Technology, and Communications; Business, Finance and Marketing; Health Science; Hospitality and Tourism; Human Services, Information Technology; Law and Public Safety; Science, Technology, Engineering and Math; Manufacturing; and Transportation. Close to 17,000 students take career and technical education courses in NEISD. The District is also proud to say that it offers nearly 1,800 different industry certifications to its students.
