UCS Specialty Programs Application 2026 - 2027 (Opens December 5th at 4pm)

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Utica Community Schools

Secondary Specialty Programs Application

Gene L. Klida Utica Academy for International Studies/International Baccalaureate (GLKUAIS)

Utica Center for Mathematics, Science and Technology (UCMST)

Utica Center for Science and Industry (UCSI)

Stevenson Manufacturing, Automation and Design Engineering (MADE)

Utica High School Academy for Health and Human Services (UHHS)

This application is designed specifically for current eighth graders seeking admission to the Secondary

Specialty Programs in Utica Community Schools and is in compliance with Board of Education Policy 6275. A complete and timely submitted application is required to be considered for placement at one of the

Secondary Specialty Programs.

Acceptance will be based on the application and the following requirements:

Secondary Specialty Program Requirements

SSP Table 2026-2027

* The student writing prompt can be found on page 6 of this application.

** Final grades from the seventh and first semester of the eighth grade will be reviewed as part of this application. Student Services will attach grades to the application for UCS students. Non UCS applicants must submit a copy of their grades along with their application.

Secondary Specialty Program Eligibility

Residents of the District and non-resident (Schools of Choice) students currently enrolled in eighth grade are eligible to apply for Secondary Specialty Programs. The District will not accept a new non-resident student beyond grade eight in Secondary Specialty Programs unless all qualified District and non-resident (Schools of Choice) applicants have been accepted and there are open seats. For specific definitions and processes see Board of Education Policy 6275.

IMPORTANT: While the Stevenson Manufacturing, Automation and Design Engineering (MADE) and the Utica High School Academy for Health and Human Services (UHHS) programs are open to all UCS and non-UCS students, priority for MADE will be given to Stevenson feeder pattern students (Davis Jr. High or Jeannette Jr. High) and for the UHHS program to Utica High feeder pattern students (Eppler Jr. High, Jeannette Jr. High or Shelby Jr. High). Second priority will be given to the rest of UCS junior high school students. Any remaining seats will be offered to non-UCS students. Questions regarding eligibility should be referred to the Student Services office at 586-797-1120.

Application Process and Verification

You may save this application while working on it and resume it at a later time. The option to save the application is provided at the top and bottom of each page. To resume a previously saved application, use the links provided when the application is saved, or start a new application and select 'Resume a previously saved form' from the top of the new application.

Saving the application does NOT submit the application for consideration. You must review and then CONFIRM the completed application prior to the deadline of 4:00 p.m. Friday, December 19, 2025.

Only one application per student will be accepted.
All sections of the application are required and must be completed.
Incomplete applications will not be considered for acceptance into a Secondary Specialty Program.
Parents/Guardians should review the application and complete all parent/guardian components of the application, including the Parent Permission and Statements of Understanding.
All applications must be signed by both student and parent/guardian. For online applications, a typed name serves as a digital signature.

IMPORTANT

After completing the application you must review and CONFIRM your submission.

After confirming your submission a confirmation number will be displayed. Be sure to print the confirmation page and make a record of the confirmation number. You will also receive an email with the confirmation number.

YOUR APPLICATION IS NOT VALID UNLESS YOU RECEIVE AND RETAIN THE CONFIRMATION NUMBER.

If you believe that your application submission was complete but you did not receive a confirmation number contact the Student Services Office at 586-797-1120.

Please be sure to add the following email addresses to your email contacts or email sender white-list so that messages are not delivered to your spam email folder:
no-reply@uticak12.org
studentservices@uticak12.org

Non-Discrimination Statement

It is the policy of the Utica Community Schools that no person on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, sex, marital status or handicap shall be discriminated against, excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of or otherwise be subjected to discrimination by this educational agency. Any person suspecting a discriminatory practice should contact the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources at Utica Community Schools, 11303 Greendale Sterling Heights, MI 48312 or call

(586) 797-1130.

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Application Deadlines / Notifications

Applications must be received by the Student Services Office or post marked

by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, December 19, 2025

Applications that arrive past the deadline or are incomplete will not be considered for acceptance into a Secondary Specialty Program.

Applications may be submitted online or in paper form. This application is available in printable form at Uticak12.org/SecondarySpecialtyPrograms. Printed applications are also available in UCS junior high school counseling offices.

Completed paper applications are to be mailed to or brought to the following address. Please allow 2 to 3 days of mail time prior to the deadline.

Utica Community Schools

Student Services Office

11303 Greendale

Sterling Heights, MI 48312

ATTN: Secondary Specialty Programs

Online applications are time-stamped upon submission. Paper applications that are mailed or brought to the Student Services Office will be time-stamped once received by the Student Services office.

Notification for placement into a program will occur no later than February 23, 2026, after 4:00 pm

Commitment deadline is March 9, 2026 by 4:00 pm

If needed, future mailings will be provided to those on a program waiting list.

Student Shadowing

If you would like information on student shadowing or additional program information, please contact:

GLKUAIS Dr. Jennifer Pye Gebbie at jennifer.gebbie@uticak12.org

UCMST Peter Paulon at peter.paulon@uticak12.org

UCSI Peter Paulon at peter.paulon@uticak12.org

MADE Mark LaCombe at mark.lacombe@uticak12.org

UHHS Jeremy Kranzo at jeremy.kranzo@uticak12.org

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Student Information

Last Name

First Name

MI

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

Home Phone

Student Mobile Phone

Student Email Address

Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy)

Sex

Female

Male

Prefer not to respond

Current Grade

Current School

High School To Attend

Name of Current School:

Name of High School:

Specialty Program Selection

Select the Specialty Program you are applying to. Consider your choice carefully before submitting your application. Your choice selection cannot be changed once your application is submitted.

Student is applying to:

Choice

Second Choice

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Parent / Legal Guardian 1 Information

Last Name

First Name

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

Home Phone

Mobile Phone

Email Address

Parent / Legal Guardian 2 Information

Last Name

First Name

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

Home Phone

Mobile Phone

Email Address

Student lives with:

For 'Other', please provide additional information here

Email address to use for Application Communication. Enter ONE email address only

Please be sure to add the following email addresses to your email contacts or email sender white-list so that messages are not delivered to your spam email folder:

no-reply@uticak12.org

studentservices@uticak12.org

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Evaluation Session Selection

Upon review of the application, students who meet the requirements for GLK-UAIS program will be scheduled for a required evaluation as part of the acceptance and selection process.

The evaluation session must be chosen in advance. If a session has reached capacity, the student will be contacted to arrange an alternate date or time. A confirmation email will be sent to the primary email address provided, including the session date, time, and location.

Stevenson Manufacturing Automation and Design Engineering (MADE)

There is no additional evaluation requirement for the Stevenson MADE program.

Utica High School Academy for Health and Human Services (UHHS)

There is no additional evaluation requirement for the Utica High School UHHS program.

Utica Center for Mathematics, Science and Technology (UCMST)

There is no additional evaluation requirement for the Utica Center for Mathematics, Science and Technology (UCMST) program.

Gene L. Klida Utica Academy for International Studies (GLKUAIS)

Evaluation location: GLKUAIS, 37400 Dodge Park Rd., Sterling Heights, 48312

GLKUAIS Evaluation Selection

Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 8:00 amSaturday, January 24, 2026 at 12:30 pmSaturday, January 31, 2026 at 8:00 amSaturday, January 31, 2026 at 12:30 pm

The test session you have selected is FULL. Please select a different test session.

I understand that I will not be placed into a test session marked as FULL and that I must select a different test session.

Utica Center for Science and Industry (UCSI)

There is no additional evaluation requirement for the Utica Center for Science and Industry (UCSI) program. Please note that if selected, your student will spend half the day at the Instructional Resource Center and half the day at their home school.

Individualized Education Plan (IEP) / Section 504

Parents of students currently receiving special education services or accommodations under Section 504 of the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) must include a copy of the applicant's plan so that accommodations can be provided at the time of testing.

If your student currently has testing accommodations as part of a documented educational plan, check the appropriate box and provide a copy of the current plan and provide a description of the accommodations(s) needed at the time of testing.

Testing Accommodations

No testing accommodations exist as part of a documented educational planIndividualized Educational PlanSection 504 Accomodation

Description of accommodations needed at the time of testing

Please upload the corresponding IEP or Section 504 documentation by selecting the 'Browse...' button below. Accepted file formats are PDF, DOC, DOCX, ODT, PAGES, JPG and JPEG.

You may save this application and resume it at a later time if you do not currently have the IEP or Section 504 documentation available.

Saving the application does NOT submit the application for consideration. You must review and CONFIRM the completed application prior to the deadline of 4:00 p.m. Friday, December 19, 2025.

The option to save the application is provided at the top and bottom of each page.

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Student Writing Prompt

The student applicant should complete the writing prompt by responding to the statement below. Your response is limited to 250 words. The student response should include attributes, abilities and goals that make their program selection an important part of their educational journey and support their aspirations and college and career goals. (Proper grammar is expected).

I am interested in participating in my program selection because …

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Statements of Understanding

Parent/Guardian must complete the Statements of Understanding for the specialty program selected by the student applicant. Please read each statement carefully, ensure you understand the terms, and indicate your agreement by checking the box provided for this program.

Note: Programs are listed in alphabetical order and not by Secondary Specialty Program preference.

Gene L. Klida Utica Academy for International Studies (GLKUAIS/IB)

GLKUAIS/IB Parent Understanding and Commitment

Students must commit to all four years of the program. Students will be in a full-day program at the GLKUAIS building. Students must maintain good academic and personal standing to remain in GLKUAIS. An intervention plan for academic success will be initiated by GLKUAIS program staff before student placement changes occur. Academic and personal standing is determined by the District Code of Conduct/Student Handbook.

I Agree (parent/guardian)

All GLKUAIS students must commit to completion of the full IB Diploma Programme including Diploma Programme assessments, Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) and Extended Essay.

I Agree (parent/guardian)

Stevenson Manufacturing Automation & Design Engineering (MADE)

Students must commit to all four years of the program. Students will be in a full-day program at Stevenson High School. Students must maintain good academic and personal standing at MADE. An intervention plan for academic success will be initiated by MADE program staff before student placement changes occur. Academic and personal standing is determined by the District Code of Conduct/Student Handbook.

I Agree (parent/guardian)

Utica Center for Mathematics, Science and Technology (UCMST)

UCMST Parent Understanding and Commitment

Students must commit to all four years of the program. Students will be in a half-day program at the Instructional Resource Center and half-day at their home school. Students must maintain good academic and personal standing at UCMST. An intervention plan for academic success will be initiated by UCMST program staff before student placement changes occur. Academic and personal standing is determined by the District Code of Conduct/Student Handbook.

I Agree (parent/guardian)

Utica Center for Science and Industry (UCSI)

UCSI Parent Understanding and Commitment

Students must commit to all four years of the program. Students will be in a half-day program at the Instructional Resource Center and half-day at their home school. Students must maintain good academic and personal standing to remain in the UCSI. An intervention plan for academic success will be initiated by UCSI program staff before student placement changes occur. Academic and personal standing is determined by the District Code of Conduct/Student Handbook.

I Agree (parent/guardian)

Students at UCSI will select an elective pathway (declared in tenth grade) in Engineering Technology, Mechatronics or Multimedia Production.

I Agree (parent/guardian)

Utica High School Academy for Health and Human Services (UHHS)

Students must commit to all four years of the program. Students will be in a full day program at Utica High School. Students must maintain good academic and personal standing at UHHS. An intervention plan for academic success will be initiated by UHHS program staff before student placement changes occur. Academic and personal standing is determined by the District Code of Conduct/Student Handbook.

I Agree (parent/guardian)

Parent/Guardian Understanding and Commitment (Applicable for all programs)

By checking the box below, I acknowledge and agree to the following:

If my student accepts an invitation to a specialty program and later decides to withdraw before the start of the school year, there are two options:

1. Return to Home School
I understand that UCS will allow the student to return to their home school with prior notice. The student's schedule will be based on available classes at that time, and there is no guarantee that original course selections will be honored.

2. Request to Switch to another Specialty Program.
I understand that if the student requests to transfer to another specialty program, they will be placed at the bottom of the current waiting list for that program. If no seats become available, the student will default to their home school under the conditions outlined in Option 1.

Check the box below to acknowledge the statement above.

I Agree (parent/guardian)

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Grade History Upload

Applicants with 7th or 8th grade records from schools outside of Utica Community Schools must upload their grade history report as part of this application.

Grade history for 7th and 8th grades

The applicant attended Utica Community Schools for 7th and 8th grade - no upload is required.The applicant has grade reports from outside of Utica Community Schools for 7th or 8th grade. Grade reports will be uploaded.

Please upload the grade history documentation by selecting the 'Browse...' button below. Accepted file formats are PDF, DOC, DOCX, ODT, PAGES, JPG and JPEG.

If you do not currently have the grade history documentation available to upload, please review and submit the application anyway. You may email all documentation to StudentServices@uticak12.org before December 19, 2025, at 4:00 pm.

Parent Permission and Parent/Student Commitment Signatures

I, the parent/guardian of the student applicant, certify that the information provided in this application is true and accurate. I understand that application information, materials and test results will be evaluated by a District Review Committee and that applications, test results, and any additional information considered for eligibility will not be returned to parents or students.

By submitting this application, I give permission to district officials to access my student applicant’s academic records, including attendance and discipline records. I understand that providing false, misleading or incomplete information in this application will result in my student being ineligible for program acceptance and/or continued enrollment (this includes Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan) if discovered after an offer of acceptance.

Checking the box below indicates that I have read and understand the above statement.

I Agree (parent/guardian)

We have read and completed the application and understand that our signatures constitute our acceptance of the requirements and expectations of the Utica Community Schools Secondary Specialty Programs.

Student Signature (Typed name serves as a digital signature)

Parent/Guardian Signature (Typed name serves as a digital signature)

Email regarding this application will be sent to the following email address:

Email address confirmation

I have confirmed that the above email address is correct

IMPORTANT: After completing this application and selecting the 'Review My Application' button below, a review page of your application will be displayed. Carefully review all of your information for accuracy and completeness. Be sure that the selection for your program choice is correct. You may make any corrections that are necessary by selecting the 'Make a correction' link at the bottom of the review page. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Your application cannot be changed once it is submitted.

After your review is complete you must CONFIRM your application using the 'CONFIRM' bottom at the bottom of the review page.

After confirming your submission a confirmation number will be displayed. Be sure to print the confirmation page and make a record of the confirmation number.

You will also receive an email with this confirmation number. If you do not receive a confirmation email in your inbox, check your SPAM or JUNK email folders.

Your application is not valid unless you receive and retain the confirmation number.

If you believe that your application submission was complete but you did not receive a confirmation number contact the Student Services Office at 586-797-1120.

Please be sure to add the following email addresses to your email contacts or email sender white-list so that messages are not delivered to your spam email folder:

no-reply@uticak12.org

studentservices@uticak12.org

Confirmation Number Acknowledgement

I understand that I must receive and retain a confirmation number for this application to be valid

Date / Time:

Click on 'Review My Application' to review your entries and print a copy of the application for your records.