| More than one-third of the students in the San Diego | | | | schools. Like the Choice Program, acceptance is |
| schools were enrolled in the Choice Program for the | | | | based solely on the space available, and transportation |
| 2005-2006 school year. The program gives parents | | | | is the parents' responsibility. |
| the ability to transfer their children from their assigned | | | | Charter Schools Program. These independent schools |
| school to one that offers more academic opportunities | | | | within the San Diego schools are on space available |
| or specific school attributes. The program offers six | | | | only and often use a random lottery for application |
| methods of eligibility. | | | | acceptance. Some require that the students applying |
| Program Improvement School Choice. Children | | | | meet specific criteria. If you are interested in |
| assigned to San Diego schools that have failed the No | | | | transferring your child to a Charter School, inquire early |
| Child Left Behind (NCLB) academic standards may | | | | - they set their own application deadlines. |
| apply to better-ranked San Diego schools. Students | | | | If you find that your child does not meet any of these |
| applying for transfer under this program generally | | | | criteria or their acceptance priority would be low, there |
| receive a higher priority than others and receive free | | | | are two other methods of gaining transfer acceptance |
| transportation. If in the future the assigned San Diego | | | | that are not part of the overall Choice Program. They |
| schools pass the NCLB standards, parents may | | | | are through special request and the Gifted and |
| choose to move their children back to the assigned | | | | Talented Education Program (GATE). You may submit |
| schools or continue in the new schools. | | | | a special request to the San Diego schools, when your |
| Magnet Schools Program. These San Diego schools | | | | child's assigned school does not offer specific |
| are each based upon a theme, such as performing | | | | coursework. These requests are handled on a |
| arts, with the curriculum centered around it. Though | | | | case-by-case basis. If the GATE program is not |
| they provide all the state required basics, students can | | | | offered in your child's assigned school and your child |
| immerse themselves in the particular subject; whereas | | | | qualifies, again you may request a transfer to a school |
| in other schools, the theme may only be offered as an | | | | that does. |
| elective class or two. Magnet schools are designed to | | | | Other than in the Charter Schools, applications to San |
| attract a diverse cross section of students from | | | | Diego schools by March 15th for the following school |
| throughout the city. Free transportation is provided to | | | | year are given priority. |
| students who live outside a specific mileage range. | | | | Though the Choice Program offers a great opportunity |
| Acceptance priority is given based upon: | | | | to all San Diego schools students, there are a lot of |
| - Demographics - they encourage San Diego schools | | | | choices. With 212 public schools, including the 31 |
| students living in demographic areas different from | | | | Magnet Schools and 35 Charter Schools, investigating |
| where the Magnet School is located to apply, | | | | the schools and their offerings can be overwhelming |
| - Continuity - San Diego schools students in a | | | | and time consuming for the parents. |
| performing arts elementary school, for example, would | | | | San Diego schools officials offer the following advice: |
| be given acceptance priority when applying to a | | | | - All schools offer the required basic coursework, so |
| performing arts middle and high school, | | | | do not get caught up in "only one school will do" - look |
| - Siblings - San Diego schools students with brothers | | | | at the many other schools, too; |
| or sisters already enrolled in the school are given | | | | - Look beyond test scores - schools have a lot more |
| priority, | | | | to offer, such as specialized education programs; |
| - Program Improvement - receives a lower priority | | | | - Visit the school campus - what looks good on paper |
| than the others listed above, and | | | | may be different in reality, sometimes better and |
| - General Applications - receives the lowest priority. | | | | sometimes worse; |
| Voluntary Ethnic Enrollment Program (VEEP). VEEP | | | | - Talk to parents and educators at the school, find out |
| was designed to provide a better racial and cultural | | | | first-hand; and |
| integrated, educational experience in the San Diego | | | | - Ask if they offer parent seminars and tours before |
| schools. Predominantly Caucasian-populated schools | | | | the application deadline. |
| are paired with minority schools for the program. Most | | | | If you are interested in applying for a transfer to any |
| transfer students receive free transportation. | | | | of the San Diego schools, begin early, list the criteria |
| Choice Program. Any San Diego schools student is | | | | you wish to be provided by the school, look at all the |
| eligible to apply to any school not in the Magnet | | | | available schools, choose those that seem to fit your |
| program. Acceptance is based solely on the space | | | | requirements, and then thoroughly investigate each |
| available, and transportation is the parents' responsibility. | | | | one. It is a lot of homework for the parents, but it can |
| Inter-District Transfer Program. Any student with the | | | | be the best foundation they can give their children. |
| state may apply to any school within the San Diego | | | | |