Through Specialized Programs - Schools of Choice, Miami-Dade County Public Schools offers numerous magnet and innovative choice programs that infuse career-oriented themes, provide enhanced quality educational opportunities, and promote diversity. Thus, the District has one of the largest representations of choice programs and schools in the United States. A major feature of the programs has been their appeal to students with similar interests but diverse backgrounds, which draws them into a learning environment in which they will thrive.

Magnet and innovative choice programs provide unique educational experiences for students in areas of interest or special talent. Such programs have been successful because their content has satisfied the educational needs of the students. Some programs accept all interested students, while other programs have specific entrance criteria. Upon acceptance into a given program, transportation may be provided according to guidelines set in the Magnet School Board Rule 6Gx13- 6A-1.46.

Applications for enrollment in choice programs/schools are accepted annually between October 1st and January 31st (January 15th for New World School of the Arts). An Application may be obtained at any school of choice or in the Specialized Programs – Schools of Choice office located at 1500 Biscayne Boulevard, Room 237, Miami, Florida, 33132. An application may also be downloaded here.

An application must be completed and submitted for each child applying to a choice program/school. Applications received during the October 1st through January 31st recruitment period are considered for the following school year.

Applications received after the deadline are processed only if seats remain after all students whose applications were received within the designated application recruitment period are placed. All students residing in Miami - Dade County are eligible to apply. Students applying to kindergarten must be five (5) years old on or before September 1.

Generally, participation in choice programs is based on the student’s interest in one or more of the themes of study. When the number of eligible applications exceeds the number of seats available in a program/school, other than the Visual and Performing Arts, a computerized random selection process (lottery) is used for student selection. Eligible students who submit an application by the deadline are placed in the lottery. Participation in Visual and Performing Arts programs is based on application and audition.

Once a student is admitted to a choice program, he or she is expected to remain in that school/program until reaching the highest grade level offered by that school. Students do not have to reapply for admission into the same program once they have been accepted.

Eligible applicants seeking admission to non-audition based choice school programs, who have siblings continuing their enrollment in the same choice school program during the next school year, receive priority weighting in the random selection process (lottery). If applicable, the priority weighting increases the probability of the sibling(s) being admitted, but it does not guarantee admission.

All eligible applicants who are part of a multiple birth (twins, triplets, quadruplets, etc.) will be admitted when one of them is selected for admission through the random selection process. Students applying for special academic and visual and Performing Arts programs must meet eligibility criteria.