School Choice
The goal of SCHOOL CHOICE is to ensure students have access to a school that meets their needs. Parents throughout Florida have enrollment options available through Controlled Open Enrollment (COE) and School Choice. (FS 1002.31 , SB Policies 5113.01, 5113.02, and 5121)
School Choice Applications for 2023-2024 School Year
CONTROLLED OPEN ENROLLMENT WINDOW (COE)
(Out-of-county residents)
Is Closed for the 2023-2024 School Year; dates were: March 1, 2023 - March 31, 2023
SCHOOL CHOICE
(Martin County residents and MCSD employees)
Early Window dates were March 1, 2023 - July 31, 2023
However, applications are open for submission.
Currently, all applicants are on a waitlist and will only be considered when a seat becomes available.
NEW ONLINE APPLICATION PROCESS
The new standard COE/School Choice online application must be completed through your FOCUS Parent Portal.
Click here for the comprehensive instructions on how to access the FOCUS Parent Portal or create a new account.
The application will be available in the FOCUS Parent Portal beginning March 1, 2023.
DISCLAIMER: We are starting to process our data for School Choice/COE. You may see # of Changes Approved in your FOCUS Parent Portal Account. This indicates that data within the form is being evaluated. This does not mean your application has been approved. You will be contacted via email once the decision has been made.
Controlled Open Enrollment
Per FS 1002.31 and School Board Policy 5121, parents of students from any school district in the state that are not subject to a current expulsion or suspension can apply for Controlled Open Enrollment to any public, or charter school, that has not reached capacity in the district. Martin County School District school capacities are determined using the Florida Inventory of School Houses and those identified with less than 75% capacity are eligible for COE. Martin County residents are given priority access to available seats.
COE Schools for the 2023-2024 School Year
ELEMENTARY | MIDDLE | HIGH |
Crystal Lake Elementary Hobe Sound Elementary JD Parker Elementary Jensen Beach Elementary Palm City Elementary SeaWind Elementary | Hidden Oaks Middle (65 seats) Indiantown Middle Murray Middle Stuart Middle | Jensen Beach High (100 seats) South Fork High (90 seats) |
Parents must submit an online application during March for consideration. They may list up to three school options in order of preference (1st, 2nd and 3rd choice) if applicable. Placements are based on seats available. If more applications are received than seats available, the selection will be made through a random number lottery process. Any request denied due to capacity will be monitored on a waitlist and processed as seats become available.
Email notifications to parents will go out beginning the second week in April.
If the COE application is approved, the student may remain at the COE school until they complete the highest grade level, pending they do not present with poor attendance, disciplinary problems, or it is revealed that information was falsified in the application.
School Choice
Elementary and Middle School Options
Parents must submit an online application for consideration to attend any district elementary or middle school. They may list up to three options in order of preference (1st, 2nd and 3rd choice) if applicable.
Placements are based on seats available. Any request denied due to capacity will be monitored on a waitlist and processed as seats become available.
High School Options
For the 2023-2024 school year, in-county students who want to attend Jensen Beach High or South Fork High will need to have their parent submit an online application for consideration.
In-county students who wish to attend Martin County High School must apply and be accepted into one of the school's signature programs. Information regarding signature programs can be found in the top left corner of this webpage. Additionally, the student's parent must submit an online School Choice application for consideration.
School district employees need only to submit an online School Choice application for consideration.
Placements are based on seats available. Any request denied due to capacity will be monitored on a waitlist and processed as seats become available.
Hardship Request
Parents of students experiencing hardship at their current school may submit an online School Choice application for consideration. Additional documentation must accompany the request (i.e., a synopsis detailing the reason for hardship, a letter from a physician, a police report, etc.) and will be made available to the Hardship Committee for their review.
Transportation
Transportation will not be provided for students assigned through COE or School Choice and is the parent's responsibility.
Revocation
A previously approved COE or School Choice request can be rescinded due to poor attendance, disciplinary problems, or if any information in the application is falsified.
Additionally, School Choice requests may be rescinded if a school becomes overcrowded.
If a student is at a high school on School Choice through a signature program, they must remain in the program or enroll at their home zoned school at the beginning of the next quarter.
Applications received after the deadline will be maintained on a waitlist and processed as seats become available.
Paper copies of the application are available at the schools and the District office for those who cannot access a computer.
Deputy Superintendent's Office
1939 SE Federal Highway
Stuart, FL 34994
Phone: (772) 219-1200 ext. 30248
Email: choice@martinschools.org
