News Release from the San Diego Unified School District, Sept. 30, 2016
San Diego Unified Opens 17-18 School Choice Application Window Oct. 3; More than 10,000 area students expected to apply
SAN DIEGO - Monday, October 3, marks the start of the school choice window for the 2017-18 school year at San Diego Unified School District. School Choice gives students the chance to enroll next year in magnet programs or schools outside their neighborhood boundaries. The program is open to all existing San Diego Unified students, as well as students attending other schools in San Diego County, including charter schools.
Each year, more than 10,000 area students apply for the choice program to attend one of the 175 schools in San Diego Unified. The total number of applicants last year was 12,518, and more than 70 percent of all students receive their first choice of schools.
“With graduation rates rising, new technology in our classrooms and an expansion of arts and music programs across the district, this really is the perfect time for parents and students to explore San Diego Unified,” said School Superintendent Cindy Marten. “We always urge families to start with a tour of their neighborhood school, because we have quality schools in every neighborhood for every type of learner.”
Families within the San Diego Unified school district will receive enrollment catalogues in the mail next week. You can also find your neighborhood school by visiting www.sandiegounified.org/schoolfinder. Families outside the district – or those who do not want to wait for the mail – can view the choice catalogue online in English at: https://www.sandiegounified.org/enrollmentguide or Spanish at: https://www.sandiegounified.org/enrollmentguide-spanish
San Diego Unified also offers personalized consultations for families who want to discuss their options with an enrollment specialist. The multilingual staff at the Family Welcome and Enrollment Center is available at 619-260-2410 or eoptions@sandi.net to provide assistance in English, Spanish, French or Japanese, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“We start by asking parents what kind of experience they want for their students, and then we try to match them with a school that meets their needs – whether their child is a future artist, engineer or entrepreneur,” said Marceline Marques, director of the Family Welcome and Enrollment Center. Since opening last month, Marques said the center has already answered more than 3,000 questions from parents trying to find the best options for their students
Choice applications must be submitted either online at sandiegounified.org/school-choice-application or in person at the Enrollment Center. The deadline is November 14. After that date, only charter school students and students who have recently moved into the district may apply for the Choice program.
Families will receive an acceptance letter in late February if the student is accepted into their first choice school. Those not accepted in their first choice school will receive phone calls to discuss their options. School Choice enrollment is determined through a computerized lottery system, with weight given to factors such as sibling enrollment and magnet program continuity. No priority is given based on when the application is received, so long as it is received by November 14.
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