School Choice Application Period To Close

By Matt Wiley

Whether you want to apply for an out-of-area school, a magnet program or a career education program, the deadline for middle and high school applications is Friday, April 11.

According to a release from the Hillsborough County School District (HCSD), the Hillsborough Choice Options application period, which opened on March 18, is set to close on April 11. Elementary School Choice applications, however, can be submitted up until Tuesday, April 29.

School Choice is a program that allows students to attend schools based on preference, instead of attending the school that they are assigned to attend based upon their home address.

However, to be considered for School Choice, parents must fill out an application for their student(s), designating which school(s) they wish their student(s) to attend and submit it to HCSD. The only catch is that, if offered a spot at an out-of-area school, transportation to that choice school usually will not be provided.

Parents also can apply to enroll their student(s) in a Magnet school or program, in which curricula are theme-based, class sizes are smaller and technology is integrated into learning more than in a normal public school setting. Magnet programs are available for kindergarten through high school and feature programs such as marine science and pre-International Baccalaureate (IB) programs for middle school students.

None of New Tampa’s schools currently offer Magnet programs, so parents who want to enroll their student(s) in one of these programs would have to send their student(s) to a school in another area of Hillsborough County. However, in many cases, transportation is provided for Magnet school students, although it may be limited.

Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs also are available at schools across the county, including at both Freedom and Paul R. Wharton High here in New Tampa, to help prepare students for college and careers after high school in a wide range of curricula, from programs in finance and manufacturing to information technology and hospitality. Many of the programs offer industry certifications and free college credit for classes.

For more information about School Choice, Magnet programs and CTE, including applications for each, please visit the HCSD website at SDHC.k12.fl.us or call the District’s Choice Information Line at 272-4692.