Educational Choices and Innovation
Page Navigation
-
Educational Choices and Innovation
- EC & I Newsletter
- New School Choice Website
-
Choice Programs
- Technical Assistant Guide for The Online Application for Enrollment
- AVID Additional Application for Admission
- IB Recommendation Forms
- NeoCity Application for Admission
- Osceola Business Academy (OBA) Application for Admission
- Osceola County School for the Arts (OCSA)
- PATHS Application for Admission
- PATHS Teacher and Recommendation Forms
- Tohopekaliga High School Application for Admission
- Osceola Virtual School
- Choice FAQ
- District Controlled Open Enrollment Plan
- Tips to Select the Right School
- 2024-2025 Choice Booklet
- 2024-2025 Choice Booklet (Spanish)
- 2024-2025 Parent Guide
- School Choice Capacity for the 2023-2024 School Year
- Choice Statistics
- Choice Sponsors
- Home Education Information
- Charter Schools
- School Board Rules
- Our Staff
-
What is School Choice?
The Florida Legislature recognizes the value of an educational system that provides numerous and meaningful options for students and their parents. School Choice Florida promote and encourage parental involvement and ensure students have access to a school that meets their needs. As a result of House Bill 7029, students are able to transfer to any school in Osceola County with open seats based on current capacity. Osceola is at the forefront of the Choice movement.
-
May I select my child’s school for the 2023-2024 school year?
Yes. The Choice Application window is November 2022 through January 2023. Applying online is the most efficient way to submit your child’s application. Below are the different ways to apply for School Choice.
- Visit your Focus Parent Portal and click on School Choice Application under your child's name
- www.osceolaschools.net/choice
- www.myosceolachoice.school
Families will receive the results of the Choice lottery via email during the month of February 2023.
The applications for late applicants will be placed on a waitlist and processed on a first come first serve basis. Late applicants will receive their Choice status notification letter once a seat becomes available at their requested Choice school.
-
Can I request Choice for the current school year?
Yes. Late Choice applications are received through the Spring of the current school year. If the school is currently at capacity, the application will be placed on a waiting list and considered once a seat becomes available. Applicants requesting a school with available seats will receive a choice acceptance letter via email. To apply, visit www.osceolaschools.net/choice or www.myosceolachoice.school.
-
Can I apply after the deadline?
Yes. Late applications will be accepted after February 16, 2023; however, they will not be included in the February 2023 Choice lottery, and may be considered only after all applicants in the wait pool have been assigned.
-
What is the difference between Choice Programs and Choice for Capacity?
Choice Programs offer families with students entering kindergarten through grade 12 the opportunity to choose from an array of theme-based curricula offerings at the elementary, middle, and high school levels that provide innovative and rigorous academic instruction by specially trained teachers. These programs provide students with a pathway to postsecondary education and careers. Choice for Capacity are seats available beyond the offered Choice programs. If you are not interested in a Choice program, you may select Choice for Capacity on the Choice application.
-
What additional requirements are needed for applications requesting priority?
Applicants requesting priority are required to submit the following documents:
- Military Priority – Active duty orders
- Foster Care Priority – Placement documents
- Custody Priority – Court-ordered documents
- Siblings – Name and date of birth of the sibling attending the requested Choice school
- Employee Priority – Employee ID number, name of school/department and position
- An additional application for admission, testing or audition is required for selected schools and programs.
-
Who can help with the Parent Portal login?
For log-in assistance, contact:
- Your child's current school
- MITD at 407-870-4669
-
Is transportation provided to Choice students?
Transportation is the responsibility of the parent, with the exception of certain eligible programs. The Choice programs or Magnet schools eligible for transportation are:
- IB Programme (IB Zone restrictions apply)
- NeoCity Academy
- Osceola County School for the Arts
- Professional and Technical High School
The following Choice programs receive transportation via a bus hub system:
- Arts - Poinciana Academy of Fine Arts
- STEM - Chestnut Elementary School, Discovery Intermediate, and Poinciana High School
- Dual Language - Kissimmee Elementary and Ventura Elementary
- IB - Thacker Avenue Elementary and Parkway Middle
-
We live in another county or state but plan to move to the Osceola County. May I still apply?
Yes, all are welcome to apply for School Choice. To apply, visit:
- www.osceolaschools.net/choice
- www.myosceolachoice.school
-
Can I apply to more than one program or school?
Yes. Each Choice application will allow the selection of up to (2) two Choice programs. The selections may be limited, depending on the student's grade level and program.
-
How long does it take to complete the online application process?
Applying for a Choice program is quick and easy for current students of Osceola County Schools. Completing the Choice application via the Focus parent portal will only take a few minutes.
Applicants that are new to the district need to complete a two-step process to complete the Choice application successfully. The process should not take more than 15 minutes.
- Create a Focus Parent Portal by visiting https://osceola.focusschoolsoftware.com
- Submit the Choice Application via the newly created Focus Parent Portal
-
Is there another way of submitting an application other than online?
Applying online is the most efficient way to submit and manage your child's Choice application. A hard copy of the application is available upon request.
-
Can I submit a Choice application to a staff member at my child's current school?
No. It is the parent/legal guardian's responsibility to guarantee that your child's application is submitted online or to the Educational Choices and Innovation Department by the deadline.
-
Can I submit one application for both of my children?
No. A Choice application must be submitted for each child.
-
Does it help if the child has a sibling in the School of Choice?
To receive preferences, siblings must apply to the same Choice program or school that their sibling is currently attending and will be attending during the school year. Siblings applying to the same Choice school should be noted on the application.
Siblings are defined as brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, stepbrother, or stepsister living in the same household.