School Choice: Elementary, Middle & Alternative Education

Montessori programs at LeMoyne and Delaware (Pre-K)

According to the American Montessori Society, “Montessori is a unique educational approach that nurtures a child’s intrinsic desire to learn. Montessori focuses on the whole child—[their] cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development.”

Required:

• Students must be age 3 by 12/1/25 (born between 12/2/21 and 12/1/22)
• Parents/guardians must be residents of the City of Syracuse

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Syracuse Latin (Grades K-8)
 

The vision of the Syracuse Latin School is to celebrate learning by providing an academically rigorous curriculum with a focus on leadership, citizenship and intellectual growth. Students in grades 6-8 have an opportunity to engage in accelerated coursework that will lead to earning multiple high school credits prior to transitioning out of 8th grade. 

Limited Seating:
Limited seat availability for grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8.

Assessment Required For:

• Pre-K students with no appropriate assessment data on file (SCSD or Universal Pre-K)
• All new or returning students entering grades K – 5 with no appropriate assessment data on file

The Testing and Assessment Department will contact your family directly to schedule an appointment.  Families should call (315) 435-4304 should they have questions regarding the call or message they receive or need to reschedule an appointment.

Testing is scheduled to begin the week of February 22.
 
Assessment NOT Required For:

• Pre-K students with appropriate assessment data on file
• Students entering grades 1 – 5 who are actively enrolled in the District (existing assessment data used)
• Students entering grades 6 – 8 who are actively enrolled in the District or are new or returning (existing assessment data used)

Interview, Selection & Notification for Grades 6-8 Only:
Students interested in Syracuse Latin must participate in the interview process as part of their application. 

Students who are recommended by the school’s Interview/Selection Committee will be included in the Smartchoice Online Lottery process for their program of interest. Students who are not recommended by the Interview/Selection Committee or are waitlisted via the lottery selection process, will be required to attend his/her feeder middle school (current SCSD student) or home school (new or returning students) in September.

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Seymour Dual Language School (Grades PK-5)
 

• Spanish speaking English Language Learners (ELLs) can apply for grades K-5.
• English speaking students can apply for Pre-K (age 4 on or before 12/1/25), K and grade 1 only.

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ELMS (Grade 6)
 

At the Expeditionary Learning Middle School (ELMS), students benefit from a personalized, yet academically rigorous atmosphere.  The curriculum and standards are taught through engaging interdisciplinary “Expeditions”, as teachers often use the greater Syracuse community as their classroom. ELMS teachers work daily with small groups of students (CREWs) to help students develop strong relationships with each other, to connect with the school experience and to support students socially, emotionally and academically.

A student who is an ideal candidate may:

• be at risk for low academic performance due to a history of being bullied, absenteeism, anxiety, gender identification, etc.
• be at risk for social isolation
• demonstrate an interest in hands on, project based learning and working in small groups with peers
• exhibit strong interpersonal or leadership skills be disengaged from their peers and school

Referral Required:
Students interested in ELMS must be referred by the School Intervention Team (SIT) to participate in the interview process. The last step in the process is to complete an online application.

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Oasis Academy (Grades 1-8)
 

Oasis Academy is a progressive learning environment opportunity available to students who may be having difficulty academically or socially in their current school. Class sizes are small— up to 10 students with each teacher. Students can expect to engage in hands on learning and will have an individual learning plan to ensure they are successful academically and socially.

Oasis provides a therapeutic environment with mental health services and supports to wrap around students and their families. Making sure that families receive the support they need is a critical component at Oasis. Supporting our families with intention will support our students.

A student who may be a good candidate may:

• be at risk for low academic performance
• be at risk for social isolation 
• prefer or learn best from hands on, project based learning
• exhibit strong interpersonal or leadership skills 
• be disengaged from their peers and school

Referral Required:
Students interested in Oasis must be referred by the School Intervention Team (SIT). 

Selection & Notification for Grades 6-8 Only:
Students who are referred, when applicable, and recommended by the school’s Interview/Selection Committee will be included in the Smartchoice Online Lottery process for their program of interest. Students who are not recommended by the Interview/Selection Committee or are waitlisted via the lottery selection process, will be required to attend his/her feeder middle school (current SCSD students) or home school (new or returning students) in September.

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Promising Futures Leadership Academy (Grades 9-12)
 

PFLA is a progressive learning environment opportunity available to students who may be having difficulty academically or socially in their current school. Class sizes are small— up to 15 students with each teacher. Students can expect to engage in hands on learning and will have an individual learning plan to ensure they are successful academically and socially. PFLA also offers leadership training and internship opportunities at local businesses or institutions.

PFLA provides a therapeutic environment with staff onsite to support mental health and proactive supports and responses as needed.

A student who may be a good candidate may:

• be at risk for low academic performance 
• be at risk for social isolation
• prefer or learn best from hands on, project-based learning
• exhibit a strong, influential personality
• need supports/ flexibility that a traditional school can’t provide

Referral Required:
Students interested in PFLA must be referred by the School Intervention Team (SIT).

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