Sarasota County opens school choice application window from February 3 to March 3

The Sarasota County School Board recently held a meeting to discuss the upcoming controlled open enrollment window, a critical opportunity for families to apply for seats at traditional public schools. The enrollment period will open on February 3 and close on March 3, with notifications sent out by early April. Families can apply for up to three schools, ranking their preferences, but if they are placed in a lower-ranked choice, they will not be waitlisted for their top choice unless they are not placed in any of their selections.

The meeting also highlighted the opening of Sky Ranch School in August, which will involve new boundary changes affecting Ashton and Lakeview Elementary Schools and Sarasota Middle School. Families impacted by these changes can apply to return to their current schools, although available seats may be limited. The district emphasizes that the primary goal of opening new schools is to alleviate overcrowding in existing ones.

Transportation remains a key concern, as students attending schools of choice will not receive district-provided transportation, placing the responsibility on parents. The lottery process for school placements will involve a validation of applications, with certain preferences, such as sibling status, receiving slight weighting in the selection process.

Families interested in applying for school choice can find detailed information on the Sarasota County Schools website, including capacity data for each school. The district aims to monitor waitlists throughout the summer, potentially offering additional seats as they become available.

In summary, the meeting underscored the importance of the school choice process for families in Sarasota County, providing them with options and flexibility as they navigate their educational preferences. The district encourages all families, including those not currently enrolled in traditional public schools, to participate in the upcoming enrollment window.