Colonial School District outlines Delaware school-choice timeline and application steps

Atiyah Waters, administrative specialist for the Colonial School District, presented details for Delawareschool choice during a virtual information session, including application dates, pre-registration requirements, and how the district will run its February lottery.

The session matters to families because Colonial serves about 10,000 students across its elementary, middle and high school programs and offers multiple choice and immersion options that families statewide can apply to under the Delaware School Choice program.

Waters told listeners the school choice application period for the upcoming school year opens Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, at 8 a.m. and closes Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Families may list up to three schools or programs per district or charter on each application. Waters said kindergarten applications submitted before the Jan. 14 deadline will be entered into the districtFebruary lottery; kindergarten applications remain eligible if submitted up to the first day of school, but late applications will be processed on a weekly basis and may be placed on a wait list.

“All choice responses are then due to the choice office by March 2026,” Waters said. She advised families that…