Sarasota News Leader
January 25, 2013
Page 63
COUNTY SCHOOLS TO ACCEPT 2013-14 SCHOOL CHOICE REQUESTS
Parents who would like their children to attend a Sarasota County public school in the
2013-14 school year other than their districted
school are invited to submit a school choice
application from Monday, Feb. 4, through Friday, Feb. 22.
The ability for parents to choose a school outside of their district began in the late 1990s
in the county schools and has been well received by parents and school administrators,
a news release notes. However, "since space
is always limited and demand may be high at
some schools, it is typically not possible to
accommodate all school choice requests," the
release points out. Options at some schools
that are open to school choice are limited to
certain grade levels for the 2013-14 year if
those schools are near their enrollment capacity for those grades, it adds. The complete list
of schools open to choice is available at www.
SarasotaCountySchools.net/departments/
schoolchoice.
Schools that
are open to
school choice
for 2013-14
may be holding open houses or other
parent information events,
the release
notes. Parents
may visit the
websites of
schools on the
"open" list or
contact those schools for more information.
All school websites are accessible via the district site at www.SarasotaCountySchools.net/
schools.aspx.
As in previous years, school choice approvals
will be determined by a random lottery process, rather than on a first-come, first-served
basis, the release says. Students will be assigned automatically to their districted school
(based on the location of their residence) or
their current school, unless a school choice
application is received, it adds.
School choice application forms will be available beginning Monday, Feb. 4, at all public
schools and at selected daycare facilities or
by contacting the Office of School Choice at
927-9000, Ext. 32255.
Parents will be notified of choice assignments
in April, the release says.
A Sarasota County Schools chart shows the elementary, middle
and high schools open for choice starting Feb. 4. Chart courtesy Sarasota County Schools
"Other district
options, such
as charter
schools, magnet schools or
magnet programs, do not
require the
completion
of a school
choice application," the
release points
out. Students
interested
in attending
