5120 - ASSIGNMENT WITHIN DISTRICT

1. Generally
    
   1. The Board directs that the assignment of students to schools within this District be consistent with the best interests of students and the best use of the resources of this District.
   2. Acting upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board shall determine annually the school attendance areas of the District and shall expect the students within each area to attend the school so designated. The Board shall adhere to the rule-making requirements set forth in Bylaw 0131 and F.S. Chapter 120 when creating or revising school attendance boundaries.
   3. The Superintendent shall periodically review existing attendance areas and recommend to the Board such changes as may be justified by:
       
      1. considerations of safe student transportation and travel;
      2. convenience of access to schools;
      3. financial and administrative efficiency;
      4. the effectiveness of the instructional program;
      5. a wholesome and educationally sound balance of student populations.
   4. No assignment to schools or attendance schedules shall discriminate against students on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation, transgender status, or gender identity), disability (including HIV, AIDS, or sickle cell trait), pregnancy, marital status, age (except as authorized by law), religion, military status, ancestry, or genetic information or any other factor protected under applicable Federal, State, or local law.
   5. The parent of siblings who are assigned to the same grade level and school may request that the school place the siblings in the same classroom or in separate classrooms.  This request must be made no later than five (5) days before the first day of school each school year or five (5) days after the first day of attendance of the students if the students are enrolled in school after the school year commences.  The school is not required to meet the request if there is factual evidence indicating a specific placement is better for the student than that requested by the parent.
   6. The Superintendent or designee may assign a student to a school other than that designated by the attendance area when such exception is justified by circumstances and is in the best interest of the student.
   7. The principal shall assign students in his/her school to appropriate grades, classes, or groups.  This action shall be based on consideration of the needs of the student as well as the administration of the school.
   8. Whenever possible and advisable in the best interests of the students, siblings shall be assigned to the same school.
2. Controlled Open Enrollment
    
   1. A student may be permitted to attend a school other than the school serving the parents'/legal guardians’ residential area by following the procedures established in Policy 5121 - Controlled Open Enrollment.
3. Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps
    
   1. A student may also be permitted to attend another public high school in the District if the student wishes to participate in the Junior Reserve Officers; Training Corps (JROTC) and their public high school does not operate a unit of JROTC.  In making their determination, the Superintendent must consider:
       
      1. whether the high school the student attends offers a JROTC program;
      2. whether the student meets the JROTC minimum enrollment qualifications; or
      3. whether the student's course schedule allows the student to attend the JROTC program at another public high school.

Revised 4/22/08
Revised 4/28/09
Revised 4/27/10
Revised 6/24/10
Revised 6/14/11
Revised 2/23/16
Revised 7/9/19
Revised 3/12/24

© Neola 2010