The San Diego Unified School District has officially opened the priority Choice enrollment window, now through November 3, 2025, for families interested in selecting a school other than their neighborhood school for the 2026–27 school year. (Screen capture via SDUSD video)
Families in the San Diego Unified School District now have the chance to explore new learning options for their children, as the district has opened its priority Choice enrollment window for the 2026–27 school year.
The window runs now through Nov. 3, and allows families from transitional kindergarten through 12th grade to apply for schools outside their neighborhood boundaries. The Choice program includes campuses with specialized themes such as International Baccalaureate (IB), STEM/STEAM, world languages, and visual and performing arts.
Applications are entered into an electronic lottery system that takes into account district priorities such as sibling enrollment, active military status, and program continuity. Submissions are not processed on a first-come, first-served basis, but families who apply during the priority period have the best chance of securing one of their top choices, according to a news release.
“At San Diego Unified, we believe every child deserves a learning environment where they feel inspired, supported, and connected,” said Superintendent Dr. Fabiola Bagula. “The Choice program is one way we partner with families to make that possible—by opening doors to schools and programs that reflect each student’s unique strengths and dreams. This is about giving families a voice, and giving students opportunities to thrive in environments where they truly belong.”
To help families navigate the process, San Diego Unified will host two informational workshops via Zoom:
“It’s important that families carefully consider the order in which they rank their school choices on the application,” said Marceline Sciuto, executive director of operations support. “Last year, about 80% of applicants who applied during the Choice priority window received one of their top three choices, showing how much thought and planning can make a difference.”
Families will be notified of their lottery results by mid-February 2026. The timeline gives parents time to coordinate with other district programs, including PrimeTime before- and after-school care.
For more information, visit Neighborhood Schools and Enrollment Options or contact the Family Welcome and Enrollment Center at (619) 260-2410, where multilingual support is available.
A Choice informational video is also available online.
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