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School of Choice

When it comes to education, one size does not fit all. At District 51, we are dedicated to empowering our families with the freedom to make choices regarding their children’s education. We understand that each child is unique, with different learning styles, interests, and goals, and we work to provide Robust & Aligned Options for our parents to choose how and where children receive their education.
 
District 51 embraces the concept of School of Choice, allowing our families to select the school that best aligns with their priorities and educational philosophies. By offering a range of options that cater to the diverse needs and preferences of families on the Western Slope, we ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.
 
THE SCHOOL OF CHOICE APPLICATION WINDOW Is now OPEN
Window - JANUARY 10 - 24, 2025
 
Please note: Boundary change updates for students affected by school closures will be available in mid-December. Families of impacted students will receive direct communication via email. Please continue to check back for additional information.
 

Notice: School of Choice (SOC)

Parents/guardians of students may apply for School of Choice (SOC) to attend a school outside their designated attendance area. This process is outlined in district policy JCA/JFBB-R. Students who reside within the designated attendance area for the school shall have priority. When there is space available at a grade level and/or program, the established procedures for SOC can allow other students to access the school.

Except as otherwise stated below, priority among applicants will be determined by the time stamp/date of application on a space available, first come, first served basis.

  1. An applicant who attends a public school that is required to implement a turnaround plan pursuant to C.R.S. 22-11-406 or that is subject to restructuring pursuant to C.R.S. 22-11-210 shall have priority over any other applicant for the School of Choice process.
  2. A resident student who applies for School of Choice that has a parent who is a staff member at the choice school or who has a sibling already attending the choice school shall have priority over other applicants (other than the scenario cited immediately above).
  3. Resident students shall be given priority over nonresidents of the District.

Procedures for applying for the School of Choice Option are as follows:

  1. The School of Choice Application will be available starting at 10:00 a.m. on January 10, 2025, and will be accepted until 4:00 p.m. on January 24, 2025. The application is available in electronic form only and is available at the District’s website at www.d51schools.org/schoolofchoice.

  2. Applications will be done through ParentVUE. If you do not have a ParentVUE account please create one prior to January 10, 2025. If you have questions, please contact your school.

  3. Complete the application and make sure to submit it when finished. Applications will be time stamped upon submission of the electronic form, not when the form is opened.

  4. All students wishing to attend a different school other than the one that is assigned to them according to their residence must submit a School of Choice application, unless the student is continuing in the same school in which a School of Choice was granted last year and space is still available.

  5. If you do not have access to the internet, please go to the Emerson Building at 930 Ute Avenue, 2nd floor anytime between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, or your child’s school office.

  6. Parents will be notified of their acceptance or denied status on January 29, 2025 via email.

    • Parents must submit their notice of acceptance by February 5, 2025 in order to attend the school that was requested.

For a listing of schools and programs that are NOT part of the school of choice process, refer to the document.

If you have questions regarding School of Choice, please call the Office of Site Leadership and Support at 970-254-5311.

PLEASE NOTE: Transportation will NOT be provided for students who live outside of the attendance area and attend school under School of Choice.

School of Choice FAQs

Although the Board of Education has endorsed a neighborhood school concept based upon structured attendance areas, it recognizes that students residing outside the District may desire to enroll in District schools and programs and that resident students may desire to attend a school or participate in a school program located in an area other than that of their assigned school. In conformity with policy JCA/JFBB, parents/guardians of nonresident students may apply for enrollment of their children in a District school or school program and parents/guardians of resident students may apply for their children to attend a school or school program outside their assigned attendance area if such application is made during the application window known as School of Choice. Resident students must register in the school serving their attendance area even though a request is pending for School of Choice or transfer to another school. Nonresidents of the District must register in the school they seek to attend once they are accepted through the School of Choice process.