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Expanding Choice Embracing Choice

Choice - A Good Thing

Logo with a graduation cap design and the words 'Expanding Choice' and 'Embracing Choice'.

A Multiphase Plan to Grow Choice and Opportunity at Southwest Allen County Schools

 

 

As part of our district’s strategic plan, Southwest Allen County Schools (SACS) is initiating focused discussions around becoming the district of choice. This means not only expanding choice through additional academic, extracurricular, and career pathways, but also embracing choice by ensuring students and families who select SACS experience excellence and opportunity.

Enrollment plays a critical role in shaping both the resources and opportunities available in a school district. In Indiana (and in most states), schools receive the majority of their funding from the state on a per-student basis. This means that when enrollment is strong, the district receives more funding to support academic programs, extracurricular activities, and student services. On the other hand, if enrollment declines, the funding a district receives also decreases. Fewer resources can limit the ability to expand programs, hire additional staff, provide new opportunities for students, or even maintain existing programs.

Simply put:

  • Strong enrollment = stronger funding = more opportunities for students.
  • Declining enrollment = reduced funding = fewer opportunities to grow and expand.

Since the fall of 2021, SACS’ enrollment has declined by over 500 students. While the expanded voucher program has accelerated school choice, Southwest Allen County is also considered a “classic, aging school district.” Many of our 65 years and older community members—whose children once attended SACS—are no longer relocating, and factors such as a limited housing market and higher mortgage interest rates have slowed the turnover of homes to young families. What we know and statistics illustrate is SACS is a great place to raise a family and stay after that family is raised.

 

A line graph shows K-12 historical enrollment data for SACS, with numbers increasing and decreasing over time.

Click here to learn more about SACS enrollment.

This is why our focus on being the district of choice is so important. Sustaining strong enrollment allows us to continue investing in innovative programs and creating meaningful opportunities for students. We value choice, and we want to be the first choice for parents.

 

 

Expanding Choice – Embracing Choice

 Our Four Phase Plan

 

Below is the shared slide deck shared at the August 19, 2025 SACS School Board Meeting that outlines the launch of the discussion on Southwest Allen County Schools being “The District of Choice” – both expanding choice and embracing choice – where we’ll measure our progress by a strong enrollment and a clear plan for expanding opportunities. 

Our Four Phase Plan

Frequently Asked Questions

  • In conjunction with our Human Resources Department and Building Principals, we would look at our existing class sizes compared to our student-to-teacher ratio targets. Available seats would be determined. This would result in some availability in some grade levels at some schools, and there would be no availability in other grade levels in the same school or different schools. When determining capacity, seats needed for resident students, current transfer students, siblings of such students and employees’ children will be taken into consideration. 

  • The district would determine capacities at each school and in each grade level and we would not exceed them. Maintaining appropriate student-to-teacher rations would be a priority. At the feeder elementary level, consideration must also be given to the capacity of the receiving middle school. 

  • A lottery would occur in a public meeting should transfer requests exceed capacity.

  • Yes, transfer applications would require families to provide detailed information about each student. Criteria for transfer would include a student's discipline and attendance record at the previous school. Denial of transfer would result from suspensions or expulsion due to weapons, causing injury to others, drugs/alcohol violations, and a history of unexcused absences. 

  • It could, but if SACS is at capacity in all schools and grade levels, then interdistrict transfer would not be available.

  • Yes, unless that student would violate criteria used to accept students (i.e. suspension due to weapons, causing injury, drugs/alcohol, poor attendance).

  • Since state funding per pupil support follows each student, an increase in student enrollment would result in an increase in revenue. 

  • Yes.

  • Yes, this covers sports eligibility (IHSAA rules), advanced courses, special educations, and all co/extracurricular activities. 

  • Stakeholder feedback will be gained through surveying families and staff. The demand of the market will determine the programming, but examples of specialty programming, “schools within a school” include  Dual Language Immersion, Fine Arts, STEM, STEAM, Internation Baccalaureate, Classical, Envionmental/Nature based.  

  • Student interest, existing programming, workforce development data, and program cost will all be factors in determining programs. 

  • Early Learning Center, Advanced Manufacturing (e.g., welding, robotics), EMT, Construction Trades, Automotive, Cosmetology, Criminal Justice, Agriculture, Envionmental Management...

  • The district will have metrics (e.g., enrollment numbers, financial effects, achievement data), and provide periodic updates to ensure the policy is meeting its goals.