Panama City- Wednesday was the first official day to submit applications for School Choice in Bay County.

School Choice is the option for the district to offer students an alternative besides the school they’re currently zoned for.

“I would say, roughly ten percent of our student population submits a School Choice application,” said Emily Huggins, an Instructional Specialist Assistant from Bay District Schools.

Kris Palfrey, Bay High School’s Assistant Principal is already gearing up for her possible new recruits.

“I do know that we’ve got a large percentage of students that come from out-of-zone and they have come from everywhere as far as Blountstown,” said Palfrey.

Applications are not granted on a first come, first serve basis.
They are considered by school board officials and are considered until schools reach capacity.

If your student has already been accepted for their School Choice school for the 2011-2012 school year, you do not need to re-apply.

"The school choice applications are effective for the current year, but for the years thereafter as long as the parents remain in that zone. So, it's not something that needs to be renewed every year," said Huggins.

An application does not guarantee that your student will be accepted to the school of your choice, but if your child does get selected for an out-of-zone school, parents are responsible for providing transportation.

To find the application, go to the Bay District Schools’ web-site

http://www.bay.k12.fl.us/