Newton County STEAM Academy Announces 2024-2025 Application Information for Grades 1-8
Newton County STEAM Academy 2024-2025 Application Information for 1st – 8th Grades
***Only current residents of Newton County may apply for their student to attend Newton County STEAM Academy***
Applications for students entering 1st through 8th grades for the 2024-2025 school year will be posted on the NCSA website on Wednesday, May 1, 2024.
Completed applications and required documentation must be hand delivered by the parent/legal guardian to Newton County STEAM Academy located at 10245 Eagle Drive Covington, GA 30014 during the designated dates and times listed below:
• Wednesday, May 29, 2024, from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
• Thursday, May 30, 2024, from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
• Applications will not be accepted after 3:00 pm on Thursday, May 30, 2024
Faxed, emailed, late, incomplete, or unsigned applications will not be accepted.
***Please note that submission of an application does not guarantee placement at Newton County STEAM Academy. All applicants meeting residency, preliminary academic and behavior requirements will be entered into a lottery in early June and placed on a waiting list in the order in which their name is drawn in the lottery. Parents will be notified via letter by June 30th of their student’s acceptance or placement on the waiting list. Available spots will be filled from the waiting lists for each grade level. Please note applicants may be removed from the waiting list if minimum Standardized test scores are not met.
Please take a moment to review the Academic and Behavior requirements for new applicants below:
Academic Entrance Requirements
First Grade:
For students applying for 1st grade, progress must have been demonstrated on the GKIDS assessment indicating that the child is exceeding the standards, demonstrating the standards, or developing towards meeting the standards. If GKIDS is not available, progress must have been demonstrated in all academic areas indicating that the child is exceeding the standards, meeting the standards, or progressing toward meeting the standards on the final year-end report card.
Second & Third Grades:
For students applying for 2nd or 3rd grade, standards must have been met on the final report card by achieving marks of 2, 3, or 4 in all academic areas. On areas of the report card where S, P, or N is recorded, students must have earned marks of S or P.
Fourth Grade:
For students applying for 4th grade, standards must have been met on the final report card by achieving marks of 2, 3, or 4 in all academic areas. On areas of the report card where S, P, or N is recorded, students must have earned marks of S or P.
Additionally, students must have earned a level 3 (Proficient Learner) or 4 (Distinguished Learner) on the GA Milestones in English/Language Arts and Math. Students who did not take the 2024 GA Milestones test must score at or above the 50th percentiles in Reading and Math on Nationally Normed Standardized Tests.
Fifth through Eighth Grades:
For students applying for 5th, 6th, 7th, or 8th grade, a final average of 80 or higher in all subjects must have been earned. On areas of the report card where S, P, or N is recorded, students must have earned marks of S or P. Additionally, students must have earned a level 3 (Proficient Learner) or 4 (Distinguished Learner) on the GA Milestones in English/Language Arts and Math. Students who did not take the 2024 GA Milestones test must score at or above the 50th percentiles in Reading and Math on Nationally Normed Standardized Tests.
Behavior Entrance Requirements for All Applicants
- Students must have zero out-of-school suspensions and have never been expelled.
- Students may have no more than two detentions or in-school suspensions/time-out referrals.
Copies of the following required information must be submitted along with your completed application:
_____ Two Proofs of Residency: Acceptable Proof of Newton County Residency MUST be:
(1) a signed lease or rental agreement, deed, monthly mortgage statement or current property tax bill
AND
(2) at least one current utility bill (gas, electric or water bill only)
The name(s) on the proof of residency MUST be the parent named on the birth certificate or designated as the official guardian on the official court paperwork. If the proof of residency is in the name of a stepparent, a marriage certificate MUST be presented that proves the step-parent and official parent/guardian are married.
_____ Parent/Guardian Photo ID
_____ Proof of Custody/Guardianship “Notarized letters" will NOT be accepted in lieu of official guardianship papers
_____ Immunization Record – GA Form 3231
_____ GA Eye, Ear & Dental Form 3300 – All sections must be completed
_____ Birth Certificate
_____ Social Security Card/Signed waiver
_____ Special Education, IEP and/or 504 Records (if applicable)
_____ Student Records Request (attached)
_____ Home Language Survey (attached)
_____ Military Connection Survey (attached)
_____ 2024 GA Milestones Test Scores or Most recent Nationally Normed Standardized Test Scores for students applying for grades 4 – 8 before final eligibility can be determined
_____ Final Year-end Report Card for students applying for 1st through 8th grade must be hand delivered in a sealed envelope along with the completed application. (If your student is currently enrolled in kindergarten in an NCSS school then you must submit all pages of the year-end GKIDS Individual Student Report)
_____ Certified Discipline Report from the current School or Learning Center on Letterhead and signed by the school Principal, Director, or designee must be hand delivered in a sealed envelope along with the completed application A Discipline Report is required for ALL applicants even if there is no history of disciplinary infractions (This does not apply to homeschooled applicants)
• The person applying for the student MUST be the parent named on the birth certificate unless official guardianship papers are presented. *** “Notarized letters" will NOT be accepted in lieu of official court mandated guardianship papers.
• In the case of divorced parents, only the parent who has "primary physical custody" as designated in the final divorce decree will be permitted to apply for the student. ***A final divorce decree MUST be presented with the application.
HELPFUL DOCUMENT:
NCSA Application Press Release