Manatee School District Open Enrollment Opens January 28

BRADENTON – Parents of students who would like to attend a Manatee District school other than the one to which they are assigned for the 2014-2015 school year, will need to apply during the School Choice Open Enrollment Period, which this year will run from Tuesday, January 28 – Friday, February 7, 2014. The School Choice Open Enrollment Period is the only time during the school year when parents can apply to have their child attend a school outside of their assigned zone without giving a specified reason for the move.

Students and their families will have a special opportunity to preview School Choice options for the 2014-2015 school year at the First Annual School District of Manatee County “School Information Fair” which will be held Monday, January 27, 2014 at the Bradenton Area Convention Center from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The School Information Fair is an event in which families can learn about district schools and programs in one place. Representatives from schools will be on hand to provide information and answer questions about School Choice options. Parents may submit School Choice Applications that evening.

School Choice options can be especially important for parents of students who are making the transition from Pre-Kindergarten to Kindergarten or from Elementary School (5th grade) to Middle School (6th grade) or from Middle School (8th grade) to High School (9th grade). Manatee County’s public schools offer a wide variety of highly acclaimed academic academies, access to International Baccalaureate programs from 1st grade to 12th grade, and art and music options.

Approval of School Choice applications are subject to enrollment capacities and other race neutral demographic criteria. Information about School Choice can be obtained at the School District’s Parent Information Center, located at 234 Manatee Ave. E., in Bradenton. The phone number for the Parent Information Center is (941) 708-4971. Information is also available at www.manateeschools.net (Click on Departments, Operations, Parent Information Center, Choice).