When it comes to educating children, Denver Public Schools has an array of choices to meet the needs of each individual child.

The district will host a "Choice Forum" on Tuesday, December 4th, at 6:30 p.m. in the East High School auditorium (1545 Detroit St.) to inform parents of all the opportunities available in Denver Public Schools. The public is welcome to attend.

The following evening, on Wednesday, December 5th, at West High School (951 Elati St.), a variety of high school magnet and other program choices will be presented for interested students and parents to consider. Seven high school programs will offer information about their educational approach and applications. The program begins at 7:00 p.m.

At the first meeting, district officials will be available to discuss the "Choice" process application process, deadlines, and how the priority system works. Essentially, "Choice" allows students the option of attending any school in the district on a space-available basis.

"We are trying to inform parents about how the Choice process works," said Executive Director of Planning and Research Dave Lowry. "Acceptance to attend a school outside the assigned attendance area is not guaranteed but based on space available."

Each Choice application is assigned a random number and ranked within the priority category defined in district policy. For example, a student with a sibling already attending that school may receive priority over a student that does not.

"We want to try and let people know that we do our best to accommodate as many Choice requests as is possible," added Lowry.

The next night, High School Options Night will be offer parents, students and community members to learn about the various programs available throughout Denver Public Schools.

Seven different high school programs will have representatives available and/or applications and information available at West High School.

The seven include:

• Career Education Center (25 unique programs using tomorrow's technology to prepare for 21st century careers).
  
• Computer Magnet Program (at North and Thomas Jefferson high schools).
  
• International Preparatory Program (at George Washington High School).
  
• International Studies Program (at West High School).
  
• Denver School of the Arts.
  
• Communications Central (at Thomas Jefferson High School).
  
• Rocky Mountain School of Expeditionary Learning.

"High School Options Night" will be held in the community room. Questions about this event should be directed to the Gifted Education Office, 303-405-8276.

Complete information about the Choice process and all magnet program information can be found on the district's web site, www.denver.k12.co.us. A new enrollment guide, DPS Today, will be published in early January.

Several magnet program deadlines are fast approaching for all grade levels. December 18, 2001 is the application deadline for Denver School of the Arts, the Highly Gifted Program at Morey Middle School, International Preparatory Program at Hamilton Middle School, Montessori at Hamilton Middle School, Center for International Studies at West High School, Computer Magnet Programs (both Thomas Jefferson and North high schools), and the International Preparatory Program at George Washington High School.

December 18 is also the application deadline for the Highly Gifted program for elementary schools (at Crofton, Southmoor, Cory, Gust, Edison, and McGlone).

Applications may be obtained directly from the individual magnet programs. A list of contacts to the programs may be found on the district's web site (www.denver.k12.co.us/schools/Magnet/) along with information about the instructional approach that can be found at each of the programs. For magnet schools, transportation is usually provided within established district guidelines for eligibility.

Many other magnet programs have established a February 15, 2002 deadline. This is the same deadline that will be used for applications under the district's "Choice" process, which allows students to enroll in a school anywhere in the district on a space-available basis.

"Choice" applications will be accepted beginning January 14, 2002.

For magnet schools, the February 15 deadline will apply to the American Indian Focus program (Brown, Carson, College View, Wyman elementary schools, Hamilton Middle School, East High School, and the Career Education Center), AnaMarie Sandoval Dual-Language Montessori school, Extended Day Program at Gilpin Elementary School, the Career Education Center, Traylor Fundamental Academy, Knight Fundamental Academy, the International Preparatory Program at Garden Place Academy, and Denison Montessori.

Charter School deadlines for the 2002-2003 school year include Challenges, Choices and Images (March 15, 2002); Odyssey Charter School (February 27, 2002); and Pioneer and P.S.1 Charter Schools (both February 15, 2002).

Community Challenge and Wyatt-Edison Charter Schools are open for applications on an on-going basis.