School choice open enrollment begins Jan. 8 in Manatee County

Parents who wish to enroll their child in a school other than the one to which they are assigned for the 2018-19 school year can apply during an upcoming school choice open enrollment period.

The high school session runs from Jan. 8-19; the middle school sessions runs Feb. 5-16 and the elementary school sessions runs from March 5-16, according to a school district news release.

The school choice open enrollment period is the only time during the year when parents can apply to request their child attend another school without a reason, the release states.

Parents who wish to apply have to go to the Office of Student Assignment, 1400 First Ave. E., Palmetto where school choice applications will be available during each school choice session, according to the release.

Parents can also pick up the choice applications at all school sites or online at www.manateeschools.net by clicking “School Choice” under the “Parents and Students” tab.

“It’s important to note that students new to the School District of Manatee County school system will need to present a certified birth certificate and the social security number will be requested at the time they apply for school choice,” said Mike Barber, the school district’s spokesman. “In addition, choice applications must be completed and signed by the ‘enrolling parent of record.’”

School choice decisions may be of particular interest to parents of students moving from elementary to middle school and from middle to high school because of the variety of magnet themes and academy programs offered at district schools, Barber said.

In addition, parents may use school choice to enroll their child in the International Baccalaureate programs offered at Wakeland Elementary, Johnson Middle and Southeast High.

Choice transportation is not available at the high school level, Barber said. High school students entering ninth and 10th grade can use school choice to apply for any public high school. However students entering 11th and 12th grade must apply through the hardship process to attend a school other than their assigned school.

For more information on school choice options available through the School District of Manatee County, call the Office of Student Assignment, 941-708-4971 or email Student Assignment@ManateeSchools.Net.

This story was originally published December 20, 2017 at 10:20 AM with the headline "School choice open enrollment begins Jan. 8 in Manatee County."