Frequently Asked Questions
DeKalb County School District (DCSD) reserves the right to change any statement in this publication concerning, but not limited to, rules, policies, procedures, program guidelines, dates, curricula, and courses without advance notice or obligation to support local, state, and federal practices, regulations, and policies. DCSD reserves the right to place students in any school choice program due to unforeseen circumstances. Failure to read this information does not excuse parents and students from the regulations and requirements described herein. The District reserves the right to change the timeline, as necessary. No exceptions will be made for missed deadlines. It is the policy of the DeKalb County Board of Education not to discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, or handicap in its educational programs, activities, or employment practices.
October 1, 2024, 9:00 a.m. through October 31, 2024, 4:00 p.m.
- Families can use the week dedicated to fall break if they need non-instructional time to prepare portfolios for some of the schools.
- Baseline MAP scores are used annually. Annually, the DCSD MAP testing fall window closes each year at the end of September. Private and home-schooled students can test immediately after the window closes.
These dates are like previous years. - We have developed a new more user-friendly website to support more families with the process and provide ease of understating of the new process and school choice programs.
- To better align with the district’s approval and financial processes.
- To allow student placement before the school year starts. Previously, the school choice lottery ran from January through August, often resulting in student placements continuing three weeks after the school year had begun.
Having the lottery at this time has posed challenges for our students, educators, and school leaders. - To ensure a smoother transition for everyone involved. This change will help us reduce disruptions and allow our staff to focus on providing the best educational experience from day one. It will also help us avoid the need for staff reassignments due to late enrollments and lottery placements.
Application is available online. You can begin applying October 1, 2024, at 9:00 a.m.
Yes, all parents must create an account.
Yes. The parent or legal guardian of the child must be a current resident of the DeKalb County School District at the time of open enrollment and thereafter.
No. All applications and required documents must be submitted online. All documentation will become the property of DeKalb County School District. Additional application packets for Arabia Mountain Magnet Program, International Baccalaureate Programs (grades 9-12), DAA (grades 4-8), DSA (grades 9-12), and DECA (grades 9-12) must be completed and uploaded as indicated on the application packet for each school.
The additional application packets are available here.
All programs are offered including:
- Arabia Mountain High School Career Technology Pathway & Magnet Program
- Employee Student Transfer
- Coralwood/Hawthorne Partnership
- DeKalb Early College Academy (DECA)
- Ronald McNair Discovery Learning Academy
- Senate Bill 10
- Senate Bill 47
- House Bill 251
- Dual Language Immersion
- International Baccalaureate
- High Achiever Magnet
- Special Interest Magnet
- Montessori
- Theme
Yes, you may apply for any program that your child is eligible for based on the published eligibility criteria. However, there is a selection limit for each school choice program.
Eligibility for each school choice program is available in the details of each program.
More information is available on the School Choice website.
Using a desktop or laptop computer, log on to the School Choice online application website.
- Select the “START LOGIN” tab to apply. All parents must create an account for the application system.
- To add a student to your profile, click on the blue Associate Student tab.
- To begin an application for a student, click on the green Begin Application tab.
- To apply for multiple programs, parents must click on the green Begin Application each time.
- Required documents must be uploaded for each program application. (i.e. report card, birth certificate). This applies to new students only.
- The student application status will be noted on the application once verification is complete.
- Note to parents regarding the application status, you will also be able to check your application’s status, by checking the dashboard.
- Both DeKalb Arts Academy and The DeKalb School of the Arts (elementary/middle and high school) applicants are required to also complete the audition application available on the school’s website.
- Applicants eligible for the International Baccalaureate Programs must complete an additional paper application.
- Parents/guardians must log on to the online application website.
Yes. An email address and password are required to create an online account. You must have access to your email account.
Log in the School Choice online application website. Application status will be updated once verification is complete. This usually takes place a few weeks before the lottery is run.
The online application will not accept a grade level retention. If your child is not a current DeKalb County School District student, please submit an email to school_choice@dekalbschoolsga.org providing notice from the school that the retention is approved.
If your child is currently a DeKalb County School District student, please email documentation to school_choice@dekalbschoolsga.org from the school indicating retention is approved OR request the principal to send the approval document to the school_choice@dekalbschoolsga.org.
Using a desktop or laptop computer, log on to the School Choice online application website.
On the family dashboard, click on the pencil to the left of the student’s name that you wish to edit. You may edit anything within the student’s profile.
You may log into your application to add additional program/school selections, however the last date to make changes is October 31, 2024, at 4:00 p.m.
- Application Technical Support: help@scribsoft.com
- Programs Information
- Support Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Phone: 678-676-0050 | 678.676.0035
- Email: school_choice@dekalbschoolsga.org
- School Information: Call school directly
Late applications will be accepted from 4:01 p.m., January 3, 2025, until 4:00 p.m., January 17, 2025.
Late applications will be reviewed and processed only if additional seats are available after the initial lottery is held and all selected students and wait listed students are placed.
The School Choice Office will contact parents regarding the placement of late applications. Selections will not be made after 4:00 p.m., February 7, 2025.
Students are selected by a random automated lottery, essay/interview (for IB applications and DECA), or audition (DAA and DSA) based selection processes depending on the grade level and program.
- December 2—6, 2024, Electronic Random Lottery will take place.
- If needed, additional lotteries will be held.
- Results will be emailed on December 13, 2024, after 5:00 p.m
All notifications will be sent by email ONLY, which is also visible on the Application Dashboard Message Box. Student information will not be provided by telephone.
Parents should log on to the application website on December 13, 2024, to check the lottery status or check their email for selection results.
Yes, parents must accept or decline their lottery selections. If selections are not accepted within 5 business days, the seat will be given to the next student in line. If a seat is accepted all other choice options will be removed.
After being selected from the lottery or waiting list, parents must visit the selected school’s website or call the school to find out the deadline date for school choice registration at the school.
If parents do not register by the deadline set by the school, the seat will be declined and offered to the next student on the waiting list.
Seats will be filled until 4:00 p.m., May 30, 2025.
The most current DeKalb County transportation policy will be followed for the School Choice Programs. Students selected for a Theme School, High Achiever Magnet Program, and Arabia Mountain High will be provided satellite/shuttle transport service.
Access the Transportation Schedule.
Theme elementary school students are provided neighborhood transportation. All other programs do not provide transportation. Transportation: 678-676-1333
Yes, seat offers will be offered between August 18th and August 22nd with students from the waitlist or late application pool based on seat availability.
Some programs offer sibling priority. See the lottery pool under each program to determine which programs have sibling preferences.
Note: In the programs that allow sibling preferences, multi-birth siblings must apply and qualify to the same program, same grade level, and during the same lottery window to qualify.
