School Choice

General Information

School Choice is a term that describes a group of programs to provide parents the opportunity to choose the school their children will attend. School Choice does not give preference to the type of schooling; instead School Choice comes into play should the parent decide that their child will attend school outside of the one they would have been assigned to by geographic default. The most common options offered by School Choice programs include open enrollment, home education, private school, and charter school. Florida Statutes 1002.31 requires each school district in the State of Florida to design an open enrollment plan that gives parents the opportunity to select the public school their children will attend.

Bay District Schools provides a controlled School Choice program. The goal is to provide a quality education to all students regardless of what their educational needs are or where they live. Our desire is to ensure that each child receives the opportunity to gain the lifelong benefits that come from a quality education. School Choice is designed to help parents have greater choice in selecting a school for their child.

Benefits of School Choice

Parents have greater choice in selecting a school for their child
Students are able to attend schools with a program or theme that appeals to them
The potential for parent involvement is increased
Diversity is based on parental choice
Families are able to move within an attendance area without switching schools
Choice provides an efficient use of tax dollars by helping to relieve overcrowding in some schools and filling empty seats in others
Creates a positive working relationship between students, parents and schools
Provisions were made to ensure that parental preference be a significant factor in a student's placement. Certain other factors, such as school proximity and adherence to federal desegregation requirements must also be considered.

Scholarship Options

McKay Scholarship: Transition to The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities

Family Empowerment Scholarship (FES) - English

Family Empowerment Scholarship (FES) - Spanish

Contact

Tiffani Wolfe
Instructional Specialist Assistant
School Choice & Zoning
850-767-4328
wolfetj@bay.k12.fl.us

Marlene Gibson
Instructional Specialist Assistant / Out of County Application Contact
850-767-4309
gibsome@bay.k12.fl.us

General Information

Benefits of School Choice

Scholarship Options

Contact

Links

Public Records Request