School Choice Applications Open for Manatee County Families Through January 30
School Choice applications are now open for families in Manatee County, providing parents and guardians the opportunity to request enrollment for their children in public schools outside of their assigned attendance zones.
Applications will be accepted through January 30, 2026, and must be completed and signed by the enrolling parent or guardian through their FOCUS account. The program, also known as Controlled Open Enrollment, is administered by the School District of Manatee County and is available for students in kindergarten through 12th grade.
Controlled Open Enrollment allows families to apply to schools offering specialized and innovative academic programs, including International Baccalaureate (IB), Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE), WOZ-Ed Pathways, Visual and Performing Arts, Dual Language programs, and a variety of Career Academies. Career-focused options include pathways in Design and Engineering, Business and International Studies, Medical fields, and other workforce-aligned areas.
Approval of School Choice applications is dependent on class size and school capacity. Families can review current availability by visiting the district’s available seats page at https://www.manateeschools.net.
Transportation is generally not provided for students enrolled through School Choice. Exceptions apply to Johnson K-8 (IB), Palmetto High School (AICE), and Southeast High School (IB). For these programs, a designated hub bus stop will be provided at a school site. Transportation to and from all other choice schools is the responsibility of the parent or guardian.
Out-of-zone requests are evaluated based on several factors, including class size or school capacity, a demonstrated genuine need, and the student’s attendance, discipline, and academic history. Requests are reviewed in the order they are received, and results are communicated by email to the enrolling parent listed in FOCUS.
Families are encouraged to review program details carefully and submit applications before the January 30 deadline.
