Katherine KokalPalm Beach Post
Some students in Palm Beach County work with 3D printers in elementary school, learn the ins and outs of the American legal systems in middle school and manage school sporting events in high school.
They're the students who apply (and sometimes audition) to be in choice programs.The district will start taking applications Wednesday, Nov. 1for next year.
Across 182 campuses, 346 choice programspromise focused instruction by specially trained teachers. This year, 13have been added to the mix.
Students cannot just enroll in choice programs. They must apply using the school district's online tool, andprograms are filled by a randomized computer lottery system that chooses from eligible applicants. Some programs require auditions or language fluency exams, and several have GPA requirements.
The application deadline for certain arts and music schools, which require an audition, is Dec. 8.
All other applications must be submitted by Jan. 26.
Here's what to know:
How to apply to Palm Beach County school choice programs
To start the application, which is available online at www.mypbchoiceapp.com, students must have their student ID number and their most up-to-date address. Their address will be used to determine whether they're in a school's attendance zone for programs that are offered only to students at that school.
Palm Beach County offers two types of specialized instruction programs: in-house choice programs, open only to students who are zoned to attend thatschool, and programs that are open to all students regardless of where they live.
Auditions are required for consideration in the following programs:
- Bak Middle School of the Arts: All programs
- The Conservatory School at North Palm Beach (grades 6-8): Band andorchestral strings programs
- Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts: All programs
- Boynton Beach High School: Dance, digital media, music (including band and vocal), theater and visual arts
- West Boca Raton High School: Dance, music (including band and vocal) and theater(including acting, music and technical programs)
Although each student can submit only one application, they can apply to two programs and rank them in order of interest to increase their chances of being placed in a choice program.
In 2018, more than 36,000 students applied for choice programs. About half of those students were placed in one, although in many cases it was not intheir first choice. At the most selective schools, such as Suncoast High and Bak Middle School, a Palm Beach Post analysis of choice program enrollment foundthe odds of placement were substantially lower, between 19% and 36% based on the program.
The lottery for 2024-25 placements happens in March. Parents will then have to accept the seat their student is assigned on the district's online dashboard.
About the new choice programs at Palm Beach County schools
Thirteen new choice programs represent a variety of science and communications opportunities.
Here's a rundown of the new options and where they are:
At the elementary school level, Northmore is rolling out an arts program that will instruct students on how to express themselves via 2D and 3D art, television production, dance, strings, band, piano, percussion, vocal music, theater and writing. It will be an in-house program available only to students zoned to attend the school.
Pierce Hammock Elementary is starting a multimedia and television production program that will familiarize students with video recording, scripting, lighting and the equipment necessary for broadcasting. It also is an in-house program only available to students zoned to attend the school.
New Horizons Elementary will begin a STEAM program that will introduce students to the scientific method, art design and projects in hydroponic gardening, recycling, animal life cycles and 3D printing. It will be an in-house program.
Boca Raton and West Boynton Middle schools will roll out pre-IT programs that will focus on software, web development, new digital technologies and basic programming skills. Boca Raton Middle's program is an in-house program, while West Boynton's program is available to applicants from anywhere in the county.
Lake Shore Middle will launch a pre-law choice program that will help students understand the fundamentals of the American civil and criminal legal systems, the roles of different legal professionals and the basics of legal ethics. It will be an in-house program.
West Boynton Middle also will offer a pre-medical sciences program that will introduce students to the health occupations, help them plan for a career in the medical field and to understand different medical skills and services. The program will accept applicants from across the county.
At the high school level, Dr. Joaquín García High will launch three choice programs next year, including Army JROTC, information technology and premedicine. All three will accept applicants from anywhere in the county.
Village Academy, a magnet school in Delray Beach open only to students who get into choice programs there, also will begin a computer technology choice program, which is designed to offer up honors and advanced placement courses in computer education.
West Boca High will roll out a sports management and recreation program, where students will learn about sports marketing, health, sports and fitness. Students will be required to run at least one school sporting event through the class. It will be an in-house program.
Katherine Kokal is a journalist covering education at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at kkokal@pbpost.com. Help support our work, subscribe today!
