Editor Note: We originally intended to send this after our press event on May 18, and those that attended received it, but considering the events that occurred Monday in San Diego we held off on sending widely. Below is the press release with important links, and I have also included the video of the press conference here: https://youtu.be/0bUh5rhL2NA. If, when, you are interested in sharing more about this with your audiences, we are happy to accommodate you. Thank you, James
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: James Canning, jcanning@sandi.net, 313-580-2845
SAN DIEGO UNFIED LAUNCHES ONLINE ENROLLMENT AND WILL OPEN 52 IN-PERSON ENROLLMENT HUBS JUNE 8TH
District Revamps Enrollment Website to Reduce Barriers: SanDiegoUnified.org/Enroll
Leaders Push to Enroll 1,309 New Students by First Day of School August 10
SAN DIEGO (MAY 18, 2026) – Student enrollment leaders from San Diego Unified School District today announce a new effort to remove enrollment barriers for pre-school, elementary, middle and high schools by offering online enrollment and for the first-time ever opening 52 Enrollment Hubs across the city to help any family who needs assistance with online enrollment.
The district is not able to do a high-cost paid media campaigns like charter and private schools do to lure students away from public schools, but San Diego Unified is taking steps to make it easier for families to enroll by:
- Launching Online Enrollment for All Schools: Beginning with the 2026–27 school year, the San Diego Unified School District has transitioned to a fully online enrollment process designed to make registration more convenient and accessible for families. The expanded system now serves a broader group of students, including new students, former students returning to the district, and all students entering Transitional Kindergarten (TK). Students accepted through the Choice Program or students who reside out of district and have an approved interdistrict transfer may also complete the online enrollment process. Families can access online enrollment 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Visit the SanDiegoUnified.org/Enroll website.
- Opening New Enrollment Hubs this Summer: To help families needing support with online enrollment, there will be 52 San Diego Unified Enrollment Hubs open to the public starting June 8 - July 2 from 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Visit this link to find the nearest enrollment hub.
- New Enrollment Partnerships with Community-based Organizations: Leaders from the school district met last week with nearly 300 community partners dedicated to student achievement and success to get their support sharing information with their constituencies about the benefits of enrolling in a San Diego Unified school.
- Launching ‘Why Choose San Diego Unified?’ Information Sharing Campaign: A series of materials designed to spark interest in district schools with information about the benefits of schools in the district: Videos / Print & Digital Fliers - English & Spanish.
- Expansion of Neighborhood School Enrollment Office Hours: Tuesday - Thursday between 8:30 - 4:00 p.m. year-round The address is 4100 Normal Street, San Diego, CA 92101, Annex 12
“The purpose of these new actions is to make it easier for families to explore our schools and find the one that fits their student’s needs,” said Dr. Tracey Makings, the district’s new enrollment lead and a 22–year veteran of the school district. “If you’re a family who has not yet chosen a San Diego Unified school for their child, and you are interested in learning more about us, visit a school and consider enrolling your child for the 2026-27 school year.”
Why Families Should Choose San Diego Unified Schools
San Diego Unified, the second largest school district in California, ranks #1 in the nation among large urban districts in 4th and 8th grade literacy and tied for #1 in 8th grade math. San Diego Unified graduates' qualify for admission to UC/CSU schools at a 16.4% higher rate than the California average.
San Diego Unified educators are committed to high-quality learning, inclusive and welcoming school communities, and a strong support system that helps students grow with confidence and purpose. With 175 school options servicing preschool through 12th grade, San Diego Unified provides students with opportunities to thrive. Programs San Diego Unified schools offer include:
- Early learning for ages 3+
- Extended Learning at Elementary and Middle Schools
- Language Immersion
- International Baccalaureate
- Dual Enrollment College Credits
- Career Technical Pathways
- STEAM Magnet Programs
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Middle and High School Athletics
What Families Need to Know about Online Enrollment
Beginning with the 2026–27 school year, the San Diego Unified School District has transitioned to a fully online enrollment process designed to make registration more convenient and accessible for families.
“Previously, online enrollment was only available for new students enrolling at their school of residence," said Dr. Makings. “The expanded system now serves a broader group of students, including new students, former students returning to the district, and all students entering Transitional Kindergarten. Families can access online enrollment 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at SanDiegoUnified.org/Enroll.”
Students accepted through the Choice Program or students who reside out of district and have an approved interdistrict transfer may also complete the online enrollment process.
Parents are asked to upload required documents electronically, including a birth certificate, immunization records, proof of address, and, if applicable, a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). Parents of high school students are also asked to provide transcripts.
Designated enrollment staff will continue processing applications throughout the summer to help ensure schools are prepared for students when campuses reopen.
What Families Need to Know about the 52 Enrollment Hubs
This summer, any families interested in San Diego Unified schools and need help enrolling their child online can visit any of San Diego Unified’s 52 Enrollment Hubs for support with student enrollment. Friendly staff will be available to answer questions and help families get their child enrolled for pre-school, elementary school, middle school and high school.
Hours of Operation
📍 Come to any of our 52 Enrollment Hubs
🗓 Monday, June 8 – Thursday, July 2, 2026
⏰ 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
🚫 Closed June 19
Items to Bring with You:
Families coming to any of the 52 Enrollment Hubs should bring the following:
- Birth certificate
- Proof of address
- Immunization records
- High school transcript if transferring from another high school
- Individualize Education Plan or 504 (if applicable)
1,309 Students Enrolled by August 10
District leaders and partners will be working over the summer to recruit 1,309 new students into its 175 elementary, middle and high schools by the first day of the new school year on August 10, 2026.
This new push for students comes on heels of the California Department of Education (CDE) report showing nearly 75,000 fewer students are attending public schools in the state due to lower birth rates, fewer immigrants and the high cost of living.
The 1,309 number is meaningful to San Diego Unified because it's the same number of students who left the district since the 2024-25 school year.
Nationally, enrollment has dropped by 1.18 million students over the past five years, according to the Education Commission of the States.
To enroll students now, families can visit SanDiegoUnified.org/Enroll or call 619-260-2410.
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James Canning (He/Him)
Executive Director
Strategic Communications & Information
San Diego Unified School District
Mobile: 313-580-2845
Office: 619-725-5578
Email: Jcanning@sandi.net
4100 Normal Street San Diego, CA 92103
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