Duarte Unified, CSArts outline enrollment, permits and schedules for 2024–25 middle-school hybrid program
April 26, 2024 | Duarte Unified, School Districts, California
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Duarte Unified School District staff and representatives of the California School of the Arts—San Gabriel Valley (CSArts) told families in an April online information session that two steps are required to enroll in the district's 2024–25 middle-school hybrid program: obtain any needed interdistrict permit from the student's home district and complete the district's Aeries registration.
"August 14th is our first day of instruction," a Duarte Unified staff member said, adding that families should complete the permit and Aeries steps as soon as possible so schools can prepare schedules and immunization records. The district posted a checklist and slides and will send follow-up materials and recordings to attendees.
Why it matters: CSArts students attend academic classes at Duarte campuses (Royal Oaks or Maxwell) and then attend conservatory classes taught by CSArts faculty either on site or on the CSArts campus. That schedule affects transportation, after-school supervision and daily dismissal times for families.
What families were told about enrollment and permits
Staff emphasized two separate steps. "You need to apply for an interdistrict permit from your home district," the presenter said, and then "apply online with Duarte Unified in Aeries," noting that Aeries is the district's registration system. Permits and admissions paperwork that must be submitted to Duarte for non-resident students are handled through the Inform K12 admissions portal, staff said; the district provided a dedicated email (IDTpermits@dusd.org) for permit questions.
The session clarified terminology: an "interdistrict" (inter) permit is required if a student lives outside Duarte Unified but will attend Duarte schools; an "intradistrict" (intra) request covers students who live inside Duarte but will attend a different Duarte campus. Staff told parents that permit windows vary by home district and some windows do not open until late summer; families should contact their home district to learn its schedule.
On permit denials and appeals, district staff characterized denials as uncommon for CSArts admits but acknowledged isolated cases. "A very few districts do deny," the presenter said, and encouraged families to include the CSArts acceptance letter and program brochure with applications and, if necessary, pursue appeals.
Schedules, orientation and program logistics
Families were told that CSArts parent meetings are scheduled for May 6 and May 20, and an on-campus new-student welcome for Maxwell and Royal Oaks middle-school students is scheduled for Saturday, April 27, 3:00'5:00 p.m. The district will send orientation dates and conservatory schedules in summer communications.
Staff described daily assignments: students in the dance or music conservatories will start academic classes at Maxwell and then be transported to the CSArts campus for conservatory classes; Fine Arts and Media Arts students will do both academic and conservatory work at Royal Oaks; theater students will remain at Maxwell for both academic and conservatory activities. Academic classes are blended between CSArts and non-CSArts students; afternoon conservatory sessions are limited to CSArts enrollees.
"We do not have supervision after 4:30," the presenter warned, noting that conservatory activities run Monday through Thursday until about 4:30 p.m. and that Fridays have earlier release times. Royal Oaks was described as starting at 8:35 a.m. and typically ending around 2:57 p.m. on regular days.
Class size, placement, and special education
Royal Oaks sixth-grade classes were described as having a maximum of 32 students and averages around 28'30. Staff said the district gives priority to siblings and employees during placement; the district also noted an ongoing charter revision that could affect longer-term sibling priority rules for CSArts.
Families with students who have Individualized Education Programs should submit IEP documentation with permit materials. "Dr Margaret Akeni, director of special education, will be taking care of the new students with disabilities to make sure their services can be provided," staff said.
Transportation and parent networking
District staff described a pilot parent-connect tool (a Google map) that will let families opt in to share locations and contact information to facilitate carpools and vanpools; district staff also pointed to an active parent Facebook group where families coordinate rides.
Next steps and contacts
Staff reiterated that families should (1) check their home district for permit windows and submit an interdistrict permit via Inform K12 if required, (2) complete Aeries registration with Duarte Unified, and (3) await a welcome message and schedule from Maxwell or Royal Oaks once paperwork is complete. The district said it will post the slide deck, the recording and the checklist, and directed permit questions to IDTpermits@dusd.org.
The session concluded with staff offering follow-up help by email and promising to post materials and the recording for families who could not attend live.
"August 14th is our first day of instruction," a Duarte Unified staff member said, adding that families should complete the permit and Aeries steps as soon as possible so schools can prepare schedules and immunization records. The district posted a checklist and slides and will send follow-up materials and recordings to attendees.
Why it matters: CSArts students attend academic classes at Duarte campuses (Royal Oaks or Maxwell) and then attend conservatory classes taught by CSArts faculty either on site or on the CSArts campus. That schedule affects transportation, after-school supervision and daily dismissal times for families.
What families were told about enrollment and permits
Staff emphasized two separate steps. "You need to apply for an interdistrict permit from your home district," the presenter said, and then "apply online with Duarte Unified in Aeries," noting that Aeries is the district's registration system. Permits and admissions paperwork that must be submitted to Duarte for non-resident students are handled through the Inform K12 admissions portal, staff said; the district provided a dedicated email (IDTpermits@dusd.org) for permit questions.
The session clarified terminology: an "interdistrict" (inter) permit is required if a student lives outside Duarte Unified but will attend Duarte schools; an "intradistrict" (intra) request covers students who live inside Duarte but will attend a different Duarte campus. Staff told parents that permit windows vary by home district and some windows do not open until late summer; families should contact their home district to learn its schedule.
On permit denials and appeals, district staff characterized denials as uncommon for CSArts admits but acknowledged isolated cases. "A very few districts do deny," the presenter said, and encouraged families to include the CSArts acceptance letter and program brochure with applications and, if necessary, pursue appeals.
Schedules, orientation and program logistics
Families were told that CSArts parent meetings are scheduled for May 6 and May 20, and an on-campus new-student welcome for Maxwell and Royal Oaks middle-school students is scheduled for Saturday, April 27, 3:00'5:00 p.m. The district will send orientation dates and conservatory schedules in summer communications.
Staff described daily assignments: students in the dance or music conservatories will start academic classes at Maxwell and then be transported to the CSArts campus for conservatory classes; Fine Arts and Media Arts students will do both academic and conservatory work at Royal Oaks; theater students will remain at Maxwell for both academic and conservatory activities. Academic classes are blended between CSArts and non-CSArts students; afternoon conservatory sessions are limited to CSArts enrollees.
"We do not have supervision after 4:30," the presenter warned, noting that conservatory activities run Monday through Thursday until about 4:30 p.m. and that Fridays have earlier release times. Royal Oaks was described as starting at 8:35 a.m. and typically ending around 2:57 p.m. on regular days.
Class size, placement, and special education
Royal Oaks sixth-grade classes were described as having a maximum of 32 students and averages around 28'30. Staff said the district gives priority to siblings and employees during placement; the district also noted an ongoing charter revision that could affect longer-term sibling priority rules for CSArts.
Families with students who have Individualized Education Programs should submit IEP documentation with permit materials. "Dr Margaret Akeni, director of special education, will be taking care of the new students with disabilities to make sure their services can be provided," staff said.
Transportation and parent networking
District staff described a pilot parent-connect tool (a Google map) that will let families opt in to share locations and contact information to facilitate carpools and vanpools; district staff also pointed to an active parent Facebook group where families coordinate rides.
Next steps and contacts
Staff reiterated that families should (1) check their home district for permit windows and submit an interdistrict permit via Inform K12 if required, (2) complete Aeries registration with Duarte Unified, and (3) await a welcome message and schedule from Maxwell or Royal Oaks once paperwork is complete. The district said it will post the slide deck, the recording and the checklist, and directed permit questions to IDTpermits@dusd.org.
The session concluded with staff offering follow-up help by email and promising to post materials and the recording for families who could not attend live.
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