THE NEW PLAN

-The new system will distribute the population into even groups of 400. The five current houses accommodate the 1900-plus-student body in groups ranging from 250 to 450 students.

-Each school will contain a representative mix of the student population, from bilingual students who have typically been concentrated in the Academy's bilingual program to special education students.

-This diverse mix will be achieved by replacing "house choice" with placement decisions made by the schools. Schools will consider gender, ethnicity, elementary school district of residence and past academic achievement of students. Parents will be asked to complete a questionnaire that addresses their child's particular needs.

THE CURRENT SCHOOLS

-The Pilot School is the oldest alternative school in the country, is the smallest of the houses, with 235 students in all four grades.

-The Fundamental School operates with a prescribed curriculum in a fundamental educational setting.

-The Academy emphasizes collaborative learning through team-teaching and heterogeneous class groupings. Forty percent of The Academy's student are enrolled in the Bilingual Program.

-The Leadership School emphasizes community service and teachers try to educate everyone, including special needs students, together in the core subjects.

-House A features leveled classes where students are grouped by ability.