[quote=ibjames]How successful is using the “choice” option for kids and schools? What is the criteria they use? Is it more common that you can or do they tell you that you have to go to the neighborhood school?[/quote]
I have two friends who’ve done it successfully in San Diego Unified and I’m familiar with what they did. The info is available on the sandi.net website.
You pick your “choice” schools… Keep in mind EVERYONE is picking the la jolla ones… so your odds are worse.
My one friend lives in Kensington. She selected a magnet to apply for, a choice to apply for, and a charter to apply for. The choice school was Benchley/Weinberger. They got in. There is nothing saying you can’t apply to a different school in more than one way… I’m pretty sure the magnet she applied to was Spreckels. I forget which charter she applied to.
The other friend (her sister) was in the Kate Sessions area – but really wanted her daughter to go to Birdrock. They figured it wasn’t the end of the world if they didn’t make it – and only put in that one choice application (no magnet/charter apps). They got in.
I know people who choiced their kids OUT OF DISTRICT into La Jolla High School. I don’t know the full process of how they succeeded – but it involved a lot of friends who lived in La Jolla writing letters to support the application.
