School Choice Period Open Enrollment Starts January 22

BRADENTON -- It is never too early in the school year to get parents and students to mark their calendar for the Manatee County School District’s School Choice Open Enrollment Period.

Parents of students who would like to attend a Manatee District school other than the one to which they are assigned for the 2013-2014 school year, will need to apply during the School Choice Open Enrollment Period, which this year will run from Tuesday, January 22nd – Friday, February 8th, 2013.

The School Choice Open Enrollment Period is the only time during the school year when parents can apply to have their child attend another school without giving a specified reason for the move.

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

Approval of School Choice applications are subject to enrollment capacities and other 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; Parent Information Center; Choice).