Controlled Open Enrollment

  • Parents who want to send their child to a school other than their designated residential attendance zone school may apply to any SDMC K-12 public school during Controlled Open Enrollment (COE).

    COE is an opportunity for parents to request enrollment for their children to innovative programs like International Baccalaureate (IB), Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE), WOZ-Ed Pathways, Visual & Performing Arts, Dual Language, and Career Academies in areas such as Design & Engineering, Business & International Studies, Medical and more. 
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      Lottery

      • Parents may apply for Controlled Open Enrollment during the lottery window for the upcoming school year. Late applications, submitted after the lottery window, will be added to the requested school(s) waitlist. After the annual COE lottery is complete, the waitlist is used to fill Available Seats by School/Grade during the school year.

        Approval of COE applications is subject to class size and/or school capacity. Application results are emailed to parents.

        2025-2026 COE applications available January 6-31, 2025.


        2024-2025 COE applications are closed.

      Waitlist

      • After the annual COE lottery is complete, the waitlist is used to fill Available Seats by School/Grade during the school year. 

        Applications that are not selected during the lottery, and late applications submitted after the lottery, are automatically placed on the waitlist for the requested school(s). The waitlist is purged before the next lottery.

        School Year 2024-2025
        Waitlist applications are scheduled to be reviewed on the following dates:


        05/15/24
        Students will be re-assigned to their approved school, effective for the first day of the 2024-2025 school year.


        8/26/24 
        Students will be re-assigned to their approved school, effective immediately.


        10/07/24
        Students will be re-assigned to their approved school for the second quarter, effective 10/15/24.


        12/16/24
        Students will be re-assigned to their approved school for the second semester, effective 1/6/25.

      Appeals

      • The ENROLLING PARENT may submit an Appeal for denied Out-of-zone Requests and wait-listed COE applications.

        Using the form titled ‘APPEAL’ in their FOCUS parent portal account, the ENROLLING PARENT must submit a written statement that explains why they feel the denial would pose a serious and continuing hardship that cannot reasonably be eliminated or reduced by means other than reassignment.

        The Appeal MUST INCLUDE a written statement and supporting documentation such as, but not limited to:

          • Legal documentation
          • Medical documentation

        The District Appeals Committee will review Appeals in order of submission, and decisions are final.

      Frequently Asked Questions

      • Do I need to apply for COE every year?

      • If my child is approved for COE, can they ride the bus to school?

      • How do I know if a school has room?

      • What if I change my mind and want to enroll at my attendance zone school?

      How to Apply

      • For specific instructions on how to apply, select your enrollment status below.

        COE applications must be completed/signed by the ENROLLING parent/guardian via their FOCUS account. The student applicant must be active, linked and enabled to the ENROLLING parent/guardian FOCUS account before the enrolling parent can access the COE application. 

        In FOCUS, click on your student's name first.
        Then make sure you select the desired program and school year:

        Controlled Open Enrollment - This is the general application for grades K-12.
        Special Program Choice - AICE/IB This is the application for advanced curriculum programs with additional eligibility requirements.
        VPK Choice Application - This is the application for Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten.

      • Current SDMC Students

      • Inactive (Previously Enrolled) SDMC Students

      • NEW Students - Grades K-12

      • New Students - VPK