schoolsearch: 'Choice' schools are big part of new landscape

'Choice' schools are big part of new landscape

There are choice schools, magnet schools, fundamental schools and career academies. It's enough to boggle the mind if you don't seek help.

By JON WILSON, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published September 15, 2002

ST. PETERSBURG -- "Choice" schools are the schools from which parents will pick when they haven't applied to fundamental schools, magnet schools or career academies. Choice schools make up the bulk of the schools in the district.

Officially called "attendance area" schools, they refer to elementary schools in four designated Pinellas County areas, middle schools in three areas and high schools in one area that covers the entire county.

They are schools with traditional programs, although they also may have specialized components.

So-called tracks, in which a student's entire career might be predicted through his or her zoned elementary, middle and high schools, are no longer automatic. Multiple choices are available at each level.

An exception: students who have "extended grandfathering."

The concept allows students who live at the same address as they did on June 6, 2001, and were then enrolled at their zoned school or a countywide program, to finish their careers at their currently zoned elementary, middle and high schools -- just as if choice had never existed.

That may be an important element for parents to factor into their thinking if they like the middle and high schools that their grade-school children are "grandfathered" to attend.

Among the first things parents need to know is which attendance area they live in. They can examine maps by visiting the school district Web site, www.pinellas.k12.fl.us. For more detailed information on boundaries, they can call the student assignment department at 588-6210.

Parents opting for attendance area schools need to pay strict attention to deadlines.

Applications for attendance area schools are available starting Monday at public schools, at Family Education and Information Centers and at the Oct. 5 magnet and high school showcase 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Crossroads Mall, formerly the Bay Area Outlet Mall at Roosevelt Boulevard at U.S. 19.

Applications must be turned in to the family centers by Dec. 13. The north county location is Robinson Challenge School, 1101 Marshall St. in Clearwater; the south county location is the Pinellas Technical Education Center, 3420 Eighth Ave. S, St. Petersburg.

If a family that needs to choose from an attendance area school does not turn in an application by Dec. 13, the district will assign the student to school based on available space.