Student Transfer and Choice Options
The Highlands County School District is dedicated to ensuring that all students will choose a learning path that leads to a well-rounded graduate who demonstrates good character and leadership. Students originally are assigned to the school in the attendance zone of their permanent residence; but the District also provides a number of opportunities for parents to select other options for their children in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Student Assignment, Enrollment and Choice Plan (“Plan”), in accordance with F.S. 1002.31.
Controlled choice options are permitted in accordance with Florida Statute 1002.31 and pursuant to School Board Policy po5120 and will provide additional opportunities for students to attend any school in the state other than their zoned school that has available capacity. COE will provide parents greater choice options.
A list of schools accepting COE students is released each year. Applications for COE will only be accepted during the application window. Two lotteries will be done, first for in-county applicants and a second for out-of-county if there are remaining open seats.
~ Hardship Transfer Request Applications ~
~ 13.95 District Employee Student Transfer Application ~
~ Programs of Emphasis Transfer Applications ~
~ Hope Scholarship Transfer Application ~
~ Family Empowerment Scholarship Information (FES) ~
District Contact: Melissa Blackman
Click to email Melissa Blackman
863-471-5567
FES UA Public School Option
Transfer Requests for the 2023-2024 school year must be submitted by the deadline.
First Quarter - Deadline July 31, 2023 with a student start date of August 10, 2023
Second Quarter - Deadline September 29, 2023 with a student start date of October 11, 2023
Third Quarter - Deadline December 8, 2023 with a student start date of January 9, 2024
Fourth Quarter - Deadline March 1, 2024 with a student start date of March 25, 2024
Transportation is available to the selected public transfer option if the contemplated transportation route does not exceed the time limits set forth in F.A.C. 6A-3.0171.
District Contact: Tiffany Love
863-471-5584
FES Private School Option
Family Empowerment and Florida Tax Credit Scholarship funds may be used for transportation to a public school in which a student is enrolled and that is different from the student’s assigned school. For more information please contact the Office of School Choice at 1-800-447-1636.