Snapshot
Controlled Open Enrollment (“Controlled Choice”) Schools – These schools offer parents an opportunity to indicate their preference for school assignments within six controlled choice attendance boundaries.

• 14 schools in the controlled choice program
• Each offers an enhanced curriculum focused on an academic theme.
• 7,451 students in 2008-2009

About
In 1996, the Florida Legislature passed section 228.057, Florida Statutes, Public School Parental Choice, mandating that each school district develop a controlled open enrollment plan by June 30, 1997.  Following that legislation, Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) merged the boundaries of various elementary schools and implemented educational themes at each school.  This controlled choice option also furthers the district’s commitment to the choice provisions of the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

The M-DCPS Controlled Choice Program schools offer parents an opportunity to indicate their preference for school assignments within six controlled choice attendance boundaries.  Each of the district’s 14 controlled choice schools offers an enhanced curriculum focused on an academic theme. This option applies only to parents who reside within the six designated attendance boundaries. Priority in student assignment is given based on siblings and proximity to the selected school.

Application Guidelines

Eligibility: Students must reside within the designated controlled choice boundary of school selected.  Applications are accepted between grades K-5.

Timelines: Application period begins March 15th, annually.  Contact appropriate Region or school for specific dates.

Process: Applications are available at each controlled choice school as well as in Regions I and III. Applications are completed and submitted at these offices.  At this time, parents are advised whether additional documentation is needed.   

Student assignment is determined by computerized random selection twice yearly, in May and July, based on seat availability per school and grade level.  Additionally, the following weighted factors are considered:

• siblings (living together) with proximity to school;
• siblings with no proximity;
• proximity with no siblings; or
• no siblings or proximity.

All students that apply through this process will receive a school assignment.  Parents will receive a letter, via U.S. mail, notifying them of their child(ren)’s school assignment. List of Schools

Appeals Process:  If parents wish to appeal their assignment, they may apply for an Administrative Transfer, as delineated in Section II, C of the Attendance Board Rule 6Gx13- 5A-1.08.

Florida Statute:  1002.31 Public School Parental Choice 

Primary Contacts for Controlled Open Enrollment Schools: Ms. Virna Kaufman, Director, Schools of Choice, 305 995-3180, vkaufman@dadeschools.net. For application and assignment information, parents must contact the designated contact for each Region as follows: