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schools of choice

The Application Process: How it Works

The Lafayette Parish School System holds its annual Fall Frenzy in November. Parents, students and community members are invited to attend this event to learn more about our Choice programs. Each school which offers a Choice program, and those on track to offer Choice programs in future years, will be at the Frenzy to offer information and answer questions.

This is the first day that students can apply to attend a School of Choice the following fall. In January, Schools of Choice offer open house programs for parents and students who are considering the school. At these events, parents can obtain more detailed information about the program or the school.

The application process for elementary and middle school programs is generally quite simple: the child's name, social security number and grade are requested. The application process for high school academies is more complicated, and requires students to explain why they wish to attend the academy and participate in an interview with staff from the academy to which they are applying. This is to ensure that our students have a clear understanding of the work required to succeed in an academy, and the curriculum required of academy students. No students will be excluded through the application process, but all students are required to complete it in order to be eligible to participate in the lottery.

The deadline to apply for a School of Choice program for the 2010-11 school year is January 31, 2010.  Since all Choice assignments are decided by an electronic lottery, early application does not improve your chances of getting a seat. The lotteries will be conducted on February 23, 2010. Letters will be sent notifying students and parents if they have been accepted or where they are on the waiting list.

Students may apply to up to three schools, but must rank their choices on their application. After the lotteries are conducted, the student will be offered a seat in the highest-ranking school in which he won a seat. In other words, if a student wins a seat in his first and second-ranked choices, he will only be able to accept the seat in the first-ranked choice school.

Acceptance at a School of Choice is limited only by program capacity and ethnic balance, which is governed by the Desegregation Plan ordered by the U.S. District Court.

Schools of Choice Applications 

All Schools of Choice Applications are electronic now. Click here to apply now!