Sarasota County Schools Accept School Choice Requests

From Sarasota County Schools: Because of a new state law, parents and guardians of students residing anywhere in the state of Florida are now able to apply for their children to attend a public school outside their regular attendance zone. The option, as described in Florida statute 1002.31 (“Public School Parental Choice”) is called controlled open enrollment — commonly known as school choice.

The Sarasota County School District will accept applications from students who live anywhere in Florida for a possible assignment to a school identified as having available space capacity for the 2017-18 school year, unless the student is subject to an expulsion or suspension. School choice applications will be accepted from Monday, Feb. 13 through Monday, March 20, 2017.

Since space is limited and demand is high at some schools, it is typically not possible to accommodate all requests. Options at some schools that are open to school choice are limited to certain grade levels for the 2017-18 school year, if those schools are near their enrollment capacity at those grade levels. The complete list of schools open to school choice is available at www.SarasotaCountySchools.net/SchoolChoice. Sarasota County residents who are applying for a school choice assignment will not be displaced by applicants from outside the county.

Schools that are open to school choice for 2017-18 may host open houses or other parent information events. Parents may visit the websites of schools on the “open” list or contact those schools for more information. School websites are accessible via the district site at www.SarasotaCountySchools.net.

School choice assignments will be determined by a random lottery, rather than on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications will be available beginning Monday, Feb. 13, at all public schools and at selected daycare facilities, online at www.SarasotaCountySchools.net/SchoolChoice, or by contacting the School Choice office at 941-927-9000, ext. 32255. Parents will be notified of school choice assignments by Monday, May 1. Parents whose children receive a school choice assignment will be responsible for providing them with transportation to and from school.

Other district options, such as charter schools, magnet schools or magnet programs, do not require the completion of a school choice application. Students interested in attending these schools or programs, including Bay Haven School of Basics Plus; Suncoast Polytechnical High School; the International Baccalaureate program at Brookside Middle, Riverview and Venice High schools; the Visual & Performing Arts program at Booker Middle and Booker High schools; the Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) programs at Heron Creek Middle, Booker, Sarasota and North Port high schools; the Law Academy at Booker High School; McIntosh Middle School’s STEM Agriscience and Arts Magnet Program; and the Venice Middle School Young Marines program, should contact these schools directly.

NOTE: A list of schools open and closed to school choice for 2017-18 is included with this news release.

Image via Pixabay, Flyer courtesy of Sarasota County Schools