Residency and Admission Policy
Proof of Residency (adopted April 3, 2017) and Admissions (adopted June 1, 2015) Policies Amendment Recap
The Westlake Academy Town Council has updated its policies for establishing residency (policy 1.01) in the Town of Westlake and its subsequent admission (policy 1.02) into the Academy. These amendments have been discussed and adopted by the Board in order to assist us in managing the increased demand for admission and to serve the best interests of the students enrolled in the Academy.
The new policies will be applicable to current and newly enrolled primary boundary students so please review each category and note the effective date. As many of you are aware, growth in the Town of Westlake is underway with three (3) new residential areas (Granada, Carlyle Court, & Quail Hollow) and a mixed-use development (Entrada).
For more detail and the most current version of these referenced policies (1.01 & 1.02), please refer to the Town Council Policies Manual.
With the new residential construction and new families moving into our latest developments, the administrative staff is committed to ensuring that student enrollment for the Academy is managed responsibly for all students who wish to attend the Academy. We must balance our ability to fulfill our charter commitment to educating students residing in the primary boundary of Westlake, with the Academy’s responsibility for financial and academic accountability so that we can provide an optimal learning environment for Westlake Academy students - from both primary and secondary (extended) boundaries. It was with this in mind that the Academy’s policies on establishing residency and admission procedures were amended.
Below, you will find answers to common questions that we have encountered as we have discussed the policies:
1. Secondary (Extended) Boundary Students - These amendments do not impact secondary boundary students who have entered the Academy through the lottery admission process.
2. Primary Boundary Students Enrolled Prior to August 1, 2015 - For those families who had students admitted to and attending the Academy prior to August 1, 2015, the changes to the residency policies that require continuous residency in Westlake will not apply. Westlake resident children admitted as a primary boundary student before August 1, 2015, and who attended the Academy for at least two years before relocating to an approved secondary boundary, will remain enrolled in the school should the family choose to select this option.
What does this mean for my family?
For example, if you purchased/leased your home in Westlake and your child was enrolled in the Academy in 2012, and you relocated to Southlake in 2015, your child may continue to attend the Academy as you have met the two (2) year residency requirement prior to purchasing your new home in Southlake (or any other extended boundary location). If your child was admitted in August of 2014, and you continue residency in Westlake until at least August of 2016, then your child may remain enrolled at the Academy under the then existing policy.
If your child enrolled after August 1, 2015, you will need to maintain your residency within the Westlake community for the children to be eligible for continued enrollment at the Academy.
3. Grandparent Enrollment Category - Grandparents providing after-school care for a Westlake student will be subject to the same guidelines and policy requirements as a parent resident. Each grandparent will need to complete the enrollment affidavit annually attesting to at least 10 hours of after-school care per week for the student.
What does this mean for my family?
If your grandchild was enrolled prior to August 1, 2015, you would fall under the policy that allows for continued enrollment subject to the two (2) year residency requirement. You would be able to move to an approved secondary boundary location after your grandchild had been enrolled at Westlake Academy for two (2) continuous years and still maintain the ability for the student to re-enroll.
If you are providing after-school care for grandchildren initially enrolled after August 1, 2015, you will need to maintain your residency within the Westlake community for the children to be eligible for continued enrollment at the Academy.
4. Newly Enrolled Primary Boundary Students after August 1, 2015 - If you are admitted after August 1, 2015, then you will be governed by the amended policy (1.02).
What does this mean for my family?
If you move into Westlake and/or your child is admitted to the Academy after August 1, 2015, your child may continue to attend the Academy for as long as you continue to reside in the primary boundary of Westlake. Should your circumstances change and you relocate to a residence within the approved secondary boundary, your child may finish the school year at the Academy and then re-apply as a transfer student from the secondary boundary if you choose to seek continued enrollment at the school.
Policy Updates as of April 3, 2017:
5. Residents with a Contract to Purchase - An applicant relying upon a contract to purchase an existing home to establish residency must also provide additional documentation of a closing date and intent to inhabit the residence, which must occur within the first 90 days of the date the student seeks to enroll.
Applicants relying upon a contract to purchase an existing home to establish residency within the Primary Boundary must submit proof of residency within the Secondary Boundary at the time the application is submitted and must provide the required documentation of residency at the Primary Boundary address within 30 days of occupying the Primary Boundary residence. Failure to provide required documentation may result in a student’s immediate withdrawal from the Academy.
6. Residents with a Lease Document - An applicant relying on a residential lease to establish residency must provide a copy of a fully-executed lease with a lease-term that extends for the entire time period the applicant intends to rely upon the lease to document residency. A residential lease shall be considered acceptable documentation to establish residency only if the leased premises is the primary residential structure on a property. Any family/person who executes and submits a lease to document residency in the Primary Boundary without occupying the leased property for as long as the applicant’s child attends the Academy, shall subject their child(ren) to immediate removal from the school and such action may be considered fraudulent activity, unless documentation of another Primary Boundary residence is provided.
7. Building Permit Primary Boundary Applicants – Applicants relying upon a contract to build a home to establish residency within the Primary Boundary must comply with the policy that was in effect at the time of their application. Failure to provide required documentation may result in a student’s immediate withdrawal from the Academy.
What does this mean for my family?
Homes under construction: Families with students enrolled in the Academy via the building permit category must complete the construction of their home and establish residency in Westlake according to the policy through which they were admitted. If you are unable to complete the construction of your home according to the building timelines of the policy under which you enrolled, then you will need to provide documentation that you reside in another Westlake residence or your child will need to apply for admission as a secondary boundary resident (which may include a waiting period via the lottery). Upon the completion and occupying of the Westlake home a student may apply as a primary boundary resident.
After April 3, 2017: An applicant relying upon a contract to build a new residence to establish residency must also provide documentation of an approved building permit from the Town of Westlake and written notice from the builder confirming the slab/foundation was poured prior to submitting the application for enrollment. The applicant must also provide documentation from the builder of the estimated completion date for the new residence, which must occur within the school year the student seeks to enroll. In addition to these initial documentation requirements, the applicant will be required to submit verification, according to a schedule identified by the Town, of the completion of major construction milestones for the home including, but not limited to, framing, drywall, masonry, roofing, plumbing, and electrical work.
Responsibility for providing documentation of the milestones identified by the Town shall be the homeowner’s sole responsibility. Failure by the homeowner to submit any or all of the milestone verifications may result in the Academy unilaterally un-enrolling the student. Extensions to the deadlines identified in this policy or by the Town may be granted by the Superintendent if, in the Superintendent’s sole discretion, extenuating circumstances justify a reasonable extension. It is anticipated that an extension would not exceed ninety (90) calendar days.
Applicants relying upon a contract to build a new home to establish residency within the Primary Boundary must submit proof of residency within the Secondary Boundary at the time the application is submitted and must provide the required documentation of residency at the Primary Boundary address within 30 days of occupying the Primary Boundary residence. Failure to provide required documentation may result in a student’s immediate withdrawal from the Academy.
The above information is provided as a quick summary to help our potential WA families better understand the policy changes. Please make sure you read the complete policies regarding Admissions and Proof of Residency for more clarification.
*Westlake Academy accepts applications during the months of December and January. The lottery is conducted in late February to early March.