A child might love science, want to learn about a career in health care or simply do better in a different school environment. For parents, those interests can lead to a bigger question: is there a school that would be better for my child?
In Escambia County, families have options beyond the school assigned to their home address. The district’s school choice program includes career academies and specialized programs, along with three magnet schools that select eligible students through a lottery.
Knowing what’s available is one thing. Figuring out which program makes sense for a child, and whether the family can manage the practical details, takes a little more work.
Chris McFarland, the district’s coordinator of enrollment services, encourages parents to look at more than the name of a school.
“Families should consider the location of the school, the academic and career academy programs available and the extracurricular options when choosing a school,” McFarland said.
For a student with a growing interest in a particular subject or career, a career academy might be worth a closer look. These programs give students a chance to explore an area of interest while they’re still in school.
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The district’s three magnet schools work differently. Students must first meet the eligibility requirements.
“All students that are deemed eligible for the magnet school of their choice are in the lottery,” McFarland said.
Not everyone who applies will get a spot. Students who aren’t selected receive consideration for their second or third choice, he said. The requirements for individual programs are listed in the application.
Parents shouldn’t assume that applying early will improve their child’s chances, either.
“We do not prioritize applications based on when the student applies,” McFarland said. “Applying early does not impact the selections.”
That gives families time to do their research during the enrollment window. They can compare programs, check eligibility requirements and think about what their child wants from a school, rather than rushing to get an application in first.
Then there’s the question of getting there every day.
The district provides center-to-center transportation for students attending its three magnet schools, depending on available space. For students attending other schools outside their assigned attendance zones, families can request a bus stop within the attendance zone of the school their child will attend. Those requests also depend on space.
That’s worth asking about before making a decision. A program may sound like a good match, but parents still need to know how the school day will work for the whole family.
McFarland said families who already have a school choice transfer don’t need to apply again. The same goes for students attending the school or program in their residential attendance zone.
For families considering a change, the next enrollment windows are coming up. Middle and high school open enrollment runs from Oct. 26 through Dec. 4, 2026. Elementary school open enrollment begins Jan. 25, 2027. Applications are for the 2027-28 school year. Middle and high school applicants are expected to receive selection emails in February, followed by elementary school applicants in March.
Families can also talk with school representatives at the district’s annual School Choice Expo on Thursday, Oct. 29, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Booker T. Washington High School. Representatives from career academies and choice schools will be there to answer questions. Families can also use technology provided at the event to complete applications.
Parents may want to ask what students actually do in a program, what qualifications they need and what happens if their first choice doesn’t work out. And if a school is outside their neighborhood, they’ll want to know how transportation fits into the picture.
