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