Any school can be your school!
For most families, the attendance area school is perfect. It has a great record of helping students achieve, and because the school is close to home, it's easier to be an engaged parent.
School choice is for families that want their child to attend a school outside their attendance zone. Maybe a different school has a special program of interest to your child. Maybe a different school is more convenient because it's on your work commute. Whatever the reason, Duval County Public Schools makes it easy to switch from your neighborhood school to a school of choice.
All you have to do is apply at the appropriate time, and if there is a seat available and your child meets any entry requirements, you can transition to that school.
When to apply
During the Lottery Application Period Dec. 1 to Jan. 31
The application period opens December 1 and closes January 31 for the school year that begins the following August. You'll need a linked-parent account to access the application in Focus, and you will want to review the detailed steps 1-4 outlined below.
During this time, families can submit an application to enter a lottery for placement into any other school, including magnet schools.
When parents submit an application during this time, they are actually entering into a lottery process with other parents. That means there is no guaranteed placement of students in a school or program. Placement is based on seat availability, as well as possible academic or other special criteria.
If your child is not placed in the preferred school, he or she will be placed on a waiting list in case a seat opens before the school year begins.
Steps 1-4 Below provide detailed information about the lottery application period.
After the Lottery Application Period During Controlled Open Enrollment
Controlled Open Enrollment is open to families mid-March through August and at the end of each academic quarter during the school year. You can access the form to apply for a different school on the district website.
Controlled Open Enrollment applications are processed for a school only after students from the lottery waitlist are placed, and placement is not guaranteed.
You can find a list of schools and programs with open seats on the district website.
Need help? Our District Enrollment Services Team is standing by. Call (904) 390-2082