How to apply to Palm Beach County school choice programs 2025-26 year

Although each student can submit only one application, they can apply to two programs and rank them in order of interest to increase their chances of being placed in a choice program.

In 2018, more than 36,000 students applied for choice programs. About half of those students were placed in one, although in many cases it was not in their first choice. At the most selective schools, such as Suncoast High School and Bak Middle School, the 2018 Palm Beach Post analysis of choice program enrollment found the odds of placement were substantially lowerbetween 19% and 36% based on the program.

The results of the lottery for 2025-26 placements will be released April 4. Parents will then have to accept the seat their student is assigned on the district’s online dashboard.

About the new choice programs at Palm Beach County schools

These new choice programs represent a variety of communications and digital media opportunities.

Here’s a rundown of the new options and where they are:

• Health and Science Exploration at Boca Raton Elementary: The program will help students learn basic skills in laboratory sciences and health science related careers. Topics covered include health and wellness, basic anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, prevention of disease and general healthcare. It will accept applicants from around the county.
• Engineering and Technology Exploration at South Olive Elementary: Through hands-on activities, lessons and projects, students will explore fundamental concepts in science, math and design while learning how everyday objects are designed and built. It will be an in-house program available only to students zoned to attend South Olive.
• Pre–Engineering at Christa McAuliffe Middle: Hands-on and project-based learning will introduce students to engineering concepts. It will accept applicants from around the county. The program also is available at Congress, Crestwood and Roosevelt middle schools.
• Computer Science at Dr. Joaquín García High: This program is designed to serve students who aim to have careers in computer science. Students learn programming, database programming, algorithmic design and computer-specific mathematics and science. It is an in-house program available only to students zoned to attend Dr. Garcia High. The program is also available at Glades Central, Suncoast and West Boca Raton High Schools as full-choice programs, meaning students from around the county can apply.
• Marketing and Entrepreneurship at Dr. Joaquín García High: Students will focus on business, e–commerce, entertainment, fashion, finance, hospitality, law, management, sales and sports. Hands–on projects will allow students to work with local businesses and entrepreneurs to develop real world leadership and skills. It will accept applicants from around the county, and the program is also available at Royal Palm Beach High.
• Medical Sciences at Seminole Ridge High: This program will join more than a dozen other medical sciences programs throughout the county. It includes rigorous academic curriculum with intense clinical and laboratory experiences. Student clinical rotations are conducted at area hospitals and other healthcare facilities. The program will accept applicants from around the county.
• Commercial Digital Photo at Suncoast High: The program prepares students for career opportunities in the many fields of photography, including advertising, aerial, commercial, crime scene, photojournalism, wedding and wildlife. Students will learn the details of equipment and software use including Adobe Photoshop. The program will accept applicants from around the county.
• Drafting and Design at Suncoast High: Students will use AutoCAD Computer Aided Design software in this course for architectural, mechanical and 3D projects. This program also includes the study of the processes, uses and technical skills found in visual technologies, multimedia productions, computer animation and graphics, web page design and electronic media. The program will accept applicants from around the county and is also available at Lake Worth High School.
• Game Simulation and Animation Programming at Suncoast High: Students will study computer programming, game design, 2D and 3D art and animation, which are vital skills for various career paths in the gaming industry. The program will accept applicants from around the county.
• Digital Media at West Boca High: Students will produce digital still and animated images through the use of computers, digital cameras, digital video cameras, scanners, photo editing software, drawing and painting software, graphic tablets, printers, new media and emerging technologies. The program will accept applicants from around the county and is also available at Dreyfoos School of the Arts and Boynton Beach High.