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CHOICE AND CAREER OPTIONS
F.S. § 1002.20(6)(a); Policy 5.015; Policy 5.016

Choice and Career Options is committed to empowering and supporting students and their families in making informed
educational decisions leading to post-secondary education and career options in order to compete in today’s technology-
driven, global society. In an effort to graduate all students prepared for the demands of the 21 Century, students entering
st
Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 have the opportunity to choose from an array of theme-based curricula offerings that
provide innovative and rigorous academic instruction by specially trained teachers. Students may apply for up to two
Choice or Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs with available space starting the first week of November each
year. The random lottery selection for seat assignments will be made in the spring of each year through a random selection
lottery process with additional lottery assignments occurring during published dates no later than the first day of the new
school year. The School District of Palm Beach County offers families various opportunities to choose programs they feel
will best serve the educational interests or needs of their child(ren). Housed in the Department of Choice and Career
Options are:

Choice Programs
Choice Programs create an educational environment that encourages exploration of talents and interests, appreciation of
diversity, and collaboration among students, teachers, and parents to ensure student success. Choice Programs include,
but are not limited to, the K–12 Arts continuum, K–12 International Baccalaureate continuum, K–12 Dual Language
continuum, elementary and secondary Cambridge Academy Programs, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Mathematics) programs at all levels, and elementary Montessori, STEAM (STEM + Arts), Environmental and Animal
Science, and Health and Wellness Programs.

Choice and Career Academy Programs at the middle and high school levels require a Choice application and selection
through a Choice lottery process. These Programs are available to all students, regardless of zoning. Transportation is only
provided for designated transportation zones. Transportation.

At the elementary level, many schools offer the Programs school-wide to those who reside in their attendance zone and
these zoned students do not require admission through the Choice and Career Options lottery. Students not zoned for
the school and all elementary Dual Language Programs do require an application. Programs designated as "In–House" are
available only to students who are zoned to attend the school.

All students, regardless of their attendance zone, are eligible to apply first choice to the following full choice schools:
Suncoast Community HS, A.W. Dreyfoos Jr. School of the Arts, Don Estridge High Tech MS, Bak Middle School of the Arts,
Morikami Park ES, Northboro ES, Poinciana ES, SD Spady ES, and Village Academy. All students may also apply first choice
to a 6-8 program at a K-8 school. For more information and to apply, visit the Department of Choice and Career Options
website.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs
These programs are designed to graduate students with career training in high skill, high wage, and high demand
occupations. Most programs allow students to earn industry certification demonstrating students’ acquisition of key skills
and competencies. While some programs require admission through the Choice and Career Options lottery, many middle
and high schools offer programs to students residing within their attendance zone.

CTE Programs and Academies are a component of an overall Career Pathways System within the School District of Palm
Beach County. Each CTE Program or Academy operates under a rigorous program of study combining core academic and
technical subjects taught in career contexts with the opportunity for students to participate in out-of-classroom learning

FY24 Student and Family Handbook 13 | Page