School Choice Open Enrollment

School Choice Enrollment Questions and Answers for Parents

School Choice Enrollment Plan

School Choice Open Enrollment
The District School Board of Pasco County’s School Choice Open Enrollment initiative provides an opportunity for a Pasco County student to attend a public school outside the student’s assigned boundary area, as well as public schools in neighboring counties, as long as the requested school is not critically overcrowded. The parent/guardian of a student wishing to attend a school outside his/her boundary area must submit a School Choice Open Enrollment Application to the District School Board of Pasco County during the established open enrollment period. Submitting an application does not guarantee that the student will be approved to transfer to the requested school of choice.

Open Enrollment Timeline
School Choice Open Enrollment Applications for the following school year will be accepted February 1 - March 1.  Applications must be received electronically no later than March 1st.  Applications for multiple children, multiple schools or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Requests to attend a Pasco County school, if you live in another county, will require a release from your HOME county.  The approved release must be received within the Open Enrollment period.

Applications
School Choice Open Enrollment Applications may be completed and submitted electronically by clicking on the “apply on line” link located at the end of this document.

Transportation
Transportation to a school that is outside the student’s attendance zone is the responsibility of the parent/guardian.

Schools “Frozen” to Student Transfers through Choice
While the school district makes every effort to accommodate all school choice requests, many of the district schools are critically overcrowded (at or above 100% of capacity) and are deemed “frozen”.  The list of schools frozen schools for the upcoming school year may be found in the “notice box” above.  Please note that we will not be able to accommodate new requests to any frozen school.

Hardship/Special Consideration Requests
A parent/legal guardian requesting school choice due to special circumstances or a hardship situation must submit a written explanation and, as necessary, provide supporting documentation, along with the School Choice Open Enrollment Application. 

Athletics
The district’s middle and high school interscholastic athletic program adheres to the rules and policies of the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA).

School choice approval must be determined prior to the start of tryouts for a sport in order for the student to participate in the interscholastic athletic program for that sport.

School choice approval will not be granted if the reason for the request is to participate in the interscholastic athletic program at the requested school.

CTE Academy/Program of Study and School Choice
Students wishing to enroll in a CTE Academy or Program of Study at a school other than their zoned school must elect (via the School Choice program) to attend that school for the entire day. Students may not apply for the School Choice option if the CTE Academy or Program of Study in which they wish to enroll exists at the student’s home high school.

Applications for School Choice transfers made on the basis of an Academy/Program of Study must be made at the same time that an application to Academy/Program of Study is made and must reflect the Academy/Program of Study that is closest to their zoned school.

The student’s schedule must reflect their choice request in order to receive consideration.

Requests for residents of neighboring counties to attend a Pasco County School
The Pasco County application must be submitted to the District Student Services Department, electronically, during the open enrollment timeline. 

Requests to attend a Pasco County school, if you live in another county, will require a release from your HOME county.  The approved release must be received within the Open Enrollment period.

Applications that do not have a release from your HOME county will not be considered.

Parental Agreement/Information
If enrollment at a school of choice is determined to negatively impact the student’s education, school choice approval may be revoked.

Your signature on the School Choice-Open Enrollment Application indicates that you have read, understand, and agree to all of the terms and conditions regarding the District School Board of Pasco County School Choice Open Enrollment Program; and that all information you have provided on this application is true and correct. Any incorrect or false information provided in reference to this application will be grounds for denial or immediate revocation of school choice approval.

The District School Board of Pasco County School Choice Open Enrollment Plan approved by the School Board and the Florida Department of Education can accessed online.

For questions regarding policies and procedures or questions regarding the completion of the application, please contact the Student Services Department at (813) 794-2686 or email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Please print a copy of these guidelines for your records before continuing to Apply On-Line.

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Download: Home Education Information Packet
Letter to Open Home Education Program (español)
Letter to Close Home Education Program

Students in Transition Program/Homeless Students: Please contact Erika Remsberg, Homeless Liaison for Pasco County Schools
813-794-4980

Florida's central web resource for students and parents. Visit FACTS.org and ePEP for your "one stop" shopping for high school and post secondary academic career explanation, decision-making, and planning.