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Choice Schools

Students at EAS dressed in orange for Unity Day

Choice Schools and programs are optional schooling alternatives, created to meet specific needs and interests. They are designed to be smaller and use approaches to education that are different from traditional public schools. Choice Schools and programs are often housed within an existing school or on the same campus as another school.

Enrollment and lottery process

The 2024-25 application and lottery window have closed. Information regarding the application and deadlines for the 2025-26 school year will be updated in early October.

Choice Schools and programs are open to all students in the district. Students must apply to be considered for enrollment in the school or program: the schools are small by design, so there are enrollment limits. The lottery typically opens in November for enrollment in the following school year.

Transportation for Choice Schools and Programs

Parents/guardians of students who attend Choice Schools or programs must arrange their own transportation. In some cases, the district offers bus transportation. Contact the Choice School or program you are interested in attending for more information.

Choice School Applications

Current LWSD students will enter the lottery via ParentSquare. Private school and homeschool students will apply via an online form on the LWSD website.

If your child has previously applied to a Choice School and is on a waitlist, do not re-apply to that school. Your child's waitlist spot is carried forward each year.

(Note: Emerson K-12 and Emerson High School use their own applications. Please contact those schools for application information.)

A lottery and/or wait list system is used to place students when applications exceed vacancies. Choice School and program lotteries are run centrally at the district office. Lottery numbers are generated for each student through the use of a random sequence generator. The district will notify parents of their student's lottery number(s) following the district lottery.

For more information about the Choice School or program you are interested in, visit the school's website. Additionally, most Choice Schools or programs hold an information night that provides a greater level of detail about the school, its program, and the unique features a student and family can expect at that particular school or program. Annually, the district publishes information about the elementary school optionsmiddle school options and high school options. This can also help to inform students and families about the features of a Choice School or program.

For information on eligibility, the application process, lottery process, and more, parents may review the district administrative policy and procedure.