San Diego Unified families can now apply to enroll in other schools

Families of students in San Diego Unified School District can apply to enroll next year in a school other than their neighborhood school from now through Nov. 3.

The district’s choice program lets families enroll their TK through 12th-grade students in schools outside of their own neighborhoods, including in schools with programs specializing in STEM, world languages, International Baccalaureate and visual and performing arts.

Applications are not processed on a first-come, first-served basis — but families applying during the priority window that just opened have the best chance to access one of their top choices.

The district’s electronic lottery system also considers priorities like sibling enrollment, active military status and program continuity.

“This is about giving families voice, and giving students opportunities to thrive in environments where they truly belong,” Superintendent Fabiola Bagula said in a news release. The priority Choice enrollment window, she said, achieves that by “opening doors to schools and programs that reflect each student’s unique strengths and dreams.”

Marceline Sciuto, the district’s executive director of operations support, said that around 80% of families who last year applied during the priority window got one of their top three choices of schools.

Families that apply during this window will be notified of their results by mid-February.

For families interested in applying, San Diego Unified will host a pair of hourlong informational workshops on Zoom — one on Monday, Oct. 6, at 5:30 p.m., and another on Thursday, Oct. 16, at 10 a.m.

The Zoom link is: https://sandiegounified.zoom.us/j/81378374938