2023-2024 Application Information for Kindergarten through 8th Grade
***Only current residents of Newton County may apply for their student to attend Newton County Theme School***
Completed applications and required documentation must be hand delivered by the parent/legal guardian to Newton County Theme School at 2207 Williams Street Covington, GA 30014 during the designated dates and times listed below:
Applications for students entering Kindergarten through 8th Grade for the 2023-2024 school year will be posted on the NCTS website Monday, March 6, 2023, and will be accepted in-person on the following dates only:
Thursday, March 16, 2023 - 3:00pm-6:00pm
Friday, March 17, 2023 (Early Release Day) 12:00pm - 3:00pm
Applications will not be accepted after Friday, March 17, 2023 at 3:00pm.
Lottery dates and other dates will be published prior to those events.
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 Theme School. 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 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, final grades and final discipline requirements are not met. All students applying for 1st through 8th grades MUST submit a year end final report card and signed discipline report no later than Friday, May 26, 2023, to be considered for placement.
Applications will be available to pick-up or print within two weeks of application due date.
Please take a moment to review the Academic and Behavior requirements for new applicants below:
Academic Entrance Requirements
Kindergarten:
There are no academic entrance requirements for students applying for kindergarten.
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.
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 the academic subject 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 the academic subject 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 2023 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 the academic subject 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 2023 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.
Please submit copies of the following information along with the completed application packet:
_____Two Proofs of Residency: Acceptable Proofs 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 proofs 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 step-parent, 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 court mandated guardianship papers. The person applying for the student MUST be the parent named on the birth certificate unless official guardianship papers are presented. 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. *
_____Certified copy of Student’s Birth Certificate
_____Social Security Card or Signed waiver
_____Immunization Record – GA Form 3231
_____GA Eye, Ear & Dental Form 3300 – All sections must be completed
_____Special Education (IEP) or 504 Records for students receiving these services
_____ 2023 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 by 3:00 pm, Friday, May 26, 2023
_____Certified Discipline Report from current School or Pre-School/Learning Center on Letterhead and signed by the school Principal, Director, or designee must be hand-delivered by 3:00 pm, Friday, May 26, 2023
A Discipline Report is required for ALL applicants (including kindergarten applicants) even if there is no history of disciplinary infractions (This does not apply to homeschooled applicants)
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the front office at 770-784-2959
Emailed, faxed, incomplete, late, or unsigned applications will not be accepted.