By Brianna Patt
Dallas ISD [DISD] is offering programs to expand students’ horizons and offer a school of choice outside of their neighborhood. Here’s what you need to know.
What is Choose Dallas?
DISD launched Choose Dallas, a program that helps families to locate, apply to and enroll in DISD schools in 2021. Currently, there are two main aspects to the program: the school finder and the choose Dallas ISD enrollment system. The school finder is a tool used to locate schools or programs that interest the family. Their programs include Talented and Gifted education [T.A.G.], transformation schools, STEM, project-based learning and more. The enrollment system will be what parents use to submit an application for their school of choice, allowing you to monitor their application status and register for the upcoming year. According to DISD’s frequently asked questions, this program is designed for all students.
“Every family who intends to enroll their student in a Dallas ISD school will use this system. Families who have a student who would like to attend a school other than their zoned school or current school may use the system to apply to one or more schools. Beginning in April 2022, all families will use the system to register their child(ren) for the upcoming school year.”
If you’re looking to apply for a spot in an early college program, you must submit an application along with a few short answer responses within the application. After that, your family will be contacted for a mandatory interview.
Pre-K and Dual Language Programs
For families that would like their students to attend a school outside of their neighborhood, you must complete your application by the Jan. 31 deadline. If your child is entering Pre-K 3 and Pre-K4, you are advised to access Choose Dallas starting in early April in order to register for neighborhood students. All Pre-K students will be selected on a first come first served basis.
Students entering Pre-K to the 12th grade can select up to five schools including magnet schools, with Pre-K students asked to select two to three schools. If you want your child to be enrolled in their dual language programs, you must submit a Choose Dallas application by Jan. 23. Families can accept no more than one offer. If there is no space in the school you apply to, you will be waitlisted.
*If you change your mind after the Jan. 31 deadline, you can submit a round 2 application for March 23, 2023.
Waitlisting for Students
Certain schools/programs may have waitlists depending on their availability, for one or more grade levels. If a space does become available, staff may send acceptance offers for waitlisted students. District staff strictly follow the order in which students appear on the waitlists. Waitlists will not cross over from one year to another.
How You Can Learn More
Dallas ISD will hold a Virtual Dallas Informational Workshops from 9:00 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. for Pre-K to 12th grade students on Dec. 3 and a Virtual Discover Dallas ISD event on Jan. 21, 2023.
To learn more about Choose Dallas ISD or register for the Dec. 3 event, click the link below:
(972) 925-5560 or email us at choosedallasisd@dallasisd.org.
