Applications for magnet, special transfer option schools open Jan. 1. Are you ready?

Dec. 8, 2021 – From art-themed schools to schools with a focus in medicine, STEM, video gaming, or welding, Duval County Public Schools has dozens of learning options for students.

And because the district is a choice district, families have the opportunity to identify schools they feel best meet the needs of their child and apply for them, even if the school is outside the child’s residential zone.

This is known as the magnet and special transfer option school application process.

The application window for *magnet and *special transfer option schools open Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022 and close on Monday, Feb. 28, 2022. While that may be a few weeks away, parents can start preparing now. See below.

Getting prepared

• Get a Parent FOCUS Account and link it to your student – This is essential because applications are only available if the parent/guardian has a Parent FOCUS Account, and it is linked to their student. Visit www.duvalschools.org/focus for a step-by-step guide to creating an account and linking it to the student. (Note that a part of this process must be done at the school. Schools close for winter break on Friday, Dec. 17 but will reopen on Tuesday, Jan. 4.)
• Plan to attend the annual School Choice Expo virtually – Like last year, the annual School Choice Expo will be virtual. It will take place on Jan. 8, 2022 from 11 AM – 3 PM. This event is where families can interact directly with school leaders and school representatives to ask questions and learn more about the school.
• Create an account on School Match 2022 –School Match 2022 is the web platform where the virtual School Choice Expo will take place. But families don’t have to wait until the expo to explore the site. They can login now to explore hundreds of schools and programs. When you first visit the site, make sure you first click on the “My Show Planner (Registration)” button to create an account. This will allow families to schedule sessions and appointments on the day of the Expo.
• Attend a virtual or in-person school tour – Individual schools will begin offering tours of their campuses in January and February. Most schools do not require registration for a tour. Either contact the school directly or locate the school in School Match 2022 directory for tour information.
• Check out the 2022-23 School Choice Reference Guide – This guide provides an overview of the application process, a description of schools and programs, and a review of important deadline dates.
• Remember application window – The application window is from Jan. 1 to Feb. 28, 2022.

Is this process mandatory?

No, this process is optional.

If parents/guardians wish to keep their child in their *neighborhood or attendance-area school, they can do so.

This includes families who have children enrolled in a VPK program in their neighborhood school. However, if the child is enrolled in a VPK program at a school that is not their neighborhood school, the parent will need to complete an application to keep them at that school for the upcoming year.

If I have questions

Questions can be directed to an enrollment specialists at school_choice@duvalschools.org. Families can also make an appointment to speak with an enrollment specialists in-person or online. (Note that district offices are closed Dec. 23, 2021 – Jan. 2, 2022 for winter break.)

For more information about school choice and enrollment, visit www.duvalschools.org/enroll.

Glossary

Neighborhood school: Also known as the zoned attendance-area school, a neighborhood school is the school that is zoned for your residential address. Your child will be enrolled in this school if you do not participate in the school choice application process. As your child transitions to different grade levels or goes from elementary to middle to high in their neighborhood schools, you will not need to re-enroll your child. To find your neighborhood school, use the School Locator.

Magnet school: Magnet programs/schools offer a theme or focus designed to provide students an opportunity to explore an interest, gift, talent, or skill. A magnet school may feature one or more magnet programs.

Special-transfer option schools: A special transfer school is any non-magnet school that is not your child’s attendance area school.