Applications now available for UCS specialty programs

Applications are now available for three secondary specialty programs for high school students in Utica Community Schools.

Families of current eighth-grade students can now apply for Utica Academy for International Studies (UAIS), Utica Center for Mathematics, Science and Technology (UCMST) and Utica Center for Science and Industry (UCSI).

Application materials are due by 3 p.m. Friday, February 12 and are available at www.uticak12.org/secondaryspecialtyprograms. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to submit an electronic application.

“Utica Community Schools provides a portfolio of choices that meet our students’ unique needs, interests and talents,” superintendent Dr. Christine Johns said. “Our secondary specialty programs enhance our comprehensive high schools and give students the opportunity to work with students from diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences.”

Per Board of Education policy, residents of the district and non-resident (Schools of Choice) students currently enrolled in eighth grade are eligible to apply for secondary specialty programs. The district will not accept a new non-resident student beyond grade eight in secondary specialty programs unless all qualified district and existing non-resident (Schools of Choice) applicants have been accepted and there are open seats.

Students entering the district in grades 10 through 12, with similar specialty program experience, may be considered for entrance if seats are available.

Informational materials are available on the district website, at the specialty school sites and in junior high school counseling offices. In addition, the district has scheduled a series of open houses:

· February 4 – Breakout sessions on the specialty programs will be available at the 9th annual Academic Blitz, set for 7-9 p.m. at Henry Ford II High School, 11911 Clinton River Road in Sterling Heights.

· February 9 - UAIS Open House at 6:30 p.m. at the school, 37400 Dodge Park Rd. in Sterling Heights.

· February 10 - UCSI Open House at 6:30 p.m. at Instructional Resource Center (IRC) 14201 Canal Rd. in Sterling Heights.

· February 5 and 11 - UCMST Open House at 6:30 p.m. at Instructional Resource Center (IRC) 14201 Canal Rd. in Sterling Heights.

The application and informational materials are also available in Arabic, Spanish, Albanian and Urdu.

For more information, interested applicants should visit www.uticak12.org/secondaryspecialtyprograms.