Schools in FAQ (Punta Gorda, Lee: low income, renting, home)

[kroeran]

is this stuff still current? I seem to recall changes happening to School Choice...not sure


SCHOOLS -Public schooling in Lee County employs "School Choice" within a large zone, which requires the parents to rank their school preference by March of the preceding school year, then the school district attempts to match the student with the ranked choices. The higher rated schools usually have more demand than slots, so these are allocated on a lottery basis, which may lead to your child being assigned to a lower quality or more distant school (up to an hour bus ride each way) than you had hoped, which is almost a certainty for new residents who miss the March deadline.

Possible public school solutions include renting until you know your assigned public school(s), then move to the neighborhood of the school to minimize busing or drop-off distance. If you don't like the school assigned, you may try getting on a waiting list for a more desirable public or charter school. It is not uncommon to reside just outside of the county boundary (in Punta Gorda or south of Woods Edge Parkway - verify County you are in!) and take on a possibly long commute to Lee County for employment. In Florida, it is more common than elsewhere for middle class parents to pay for private, Catholic (tuition subsidies may be available for low income attending Catholics) or Protestant/Christian schools. Finally, some choose to home school.

[hiknapster]

Not that I'm aware of and I have very recently checked. The only change is in the name. It's now called "School Assignment" which is at least apropos and honest. People, including the local media, still call it "School Choice," though.

Lee County debate: school choice or neighborhood schools

[stahltkd]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

Not that I'm aware of and I have very recently checked. The only change is in the name. It's now called "School Assignment" which is at least apropos and honest. People, including the local media, still call it "School Choice," though.

Lee County debate: school choice or neighborhood schools

It was a quiet change. Add in that it was School Choice for years.... it will be awhile before they call it "Assignment"

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by stahltkd

It was a quiet change. Add in that it was School Choice for years.... it will be awhile before they call it "Assignment"

Oh, I am very aware.