What is Open Enrollment?

Open Enrollment provides an opportunity for students who reside permanently within the boundaries of the Sacramento City Unified School District to apply for enrollment in schools or programs (Grades K-8) within the district, when space is available.

Who is eligible to apply?

Only students who live within the SCUSD attendance area are eligible to participate in the Open Enrollment process.

Do all schools participate in Open Enrollment?

No, not all district schools participate in Open Enrollment. Some programs reach their grade level enrollment capacity before the Open Enrollment period begins.

What are the requirements for applications to enter the lottery?

Applicants must:

• Live within the district boundaries
• Complete school-specific screenings, if required

How many programs can my student apply to?

Students may apply to up to two open enrollment programs. 

Are translation services available during the application process?

Yes, the SchoolMint application uses Google Translate, which can translate text into over 100 languages. Guardians can select their preferred language from the menu at the top of the page to view translated information.

The district’s Matriculation & Orientation Center (MOC) can also provide interpretation services to assist families with the application process. MOC staff are available to assist at the Enrollment Center. 

Are computers available for families to use to apply?

Yes, the Enrollment Center has Chromebooks available for families to use in filling out the online application.

Which programs have additional requirements for admission?

• Camellia Basic Elementary School (for incoming first graders)
• Phoebe Hearst Elementary School (for incoming kindergarten students)

Do any of the programs require a report card or attendance at mandatory meetings for eligibility?

No. 

What schools do not have an attendance area boundary assignment?

• A.M. Winn Public Waldorf TK-8 School
• Alice Birney Public Waldorf TK-8 School
• Bowling Green Charter Chacon Language & Science Academy
• Bowling Green Charter McCoy Academy
• Camellia Basic Elementary (Grades 1-6)
• Leonardo da Vinci TK-8 School
• New Joseph Bonnheim Elementary
• Phoebe Hearst Elementary
• School of Engineering and Sciences

How will we know you received my student’s application?

After submitting an application, parents/guardians will see a confirmation screen and receive a message in their SchoolMint Message Center. They will also receive a confirmation via email or text, depending on their SchoolMint preferences.

Parents/guardians can log into their SchoolMint account anytime to view messages in the Message Center.

Is transportation provided by the school district to the Open Enrollment school?

No, transportation is not provided for Open Enrollment students. Parents/guardians are responsible for transporting their students.

Should I register my incoming kindergartener in their neighborhood school before applying for Open Enrollment?

Yes, it is recommended that parents/guardians register their incoming kindergarteners at their neighborhood school (school of residence) before applying for Open Enrollment. This ensures a spot in case the applicant is not selected through the lottery. Learn how to register for Kindergarten.

I want my student to be enrolled in kindergarten, even though they would qualify for 1st grade. Can I still apply for kindergarten?

If your student’s date of birth is before 09/02/2019, you must take the following additional step to be admitted into the Open Enrollment lottery for kindergarten:

• Parents/guardians must request a meeting with the principal of the desired school(s) to discuss the reasons for the request by Friday, February 21, 2025.
• The principal will email the Instructional Assistant Superintendent and the Enrollment Center Director with the approval or denial status of the request.
• Once approved, your student will be eligible for the Open Enrollment lottery.

Can I use my work address for my student to apply to an Open Enrollment program?

No.

Can I use my work address for my student to apply to an Open Enrollment program through (using) the Allen Bill?

The Sacramento City Unified School District interprets the Allen Bill in the following ways:

• A parent/guardian who resides outside the SCUSD boundaries, is required to provide on letterhead a statement from the employer verifying employment and the work address within the SCUSD boundaries.
• Since our district utilizes addresses for school placement, in order to establish residency the student must enroll and attend the neighborhood school associated with the work address for a full academic year. So for example if the work address is associated with California Middle School the student must apply and be approved via Inter-district permit and attend California Middle School.
• Once this is complete and the student is attending for a full academic year, the student can then apply for any programs through the High School Specialty Program (HSSP) or Open Enrollment (OE).
• Families cannot use their work address to apply for the HSSP or OE if they are not attending our school(s) through the Allen Bill currently.
• Residency is established by attending a full academic year.
• Students who live outside the district boundaries may apply from April 7, 2025 at 8:00am, through April 25, 2025 at 5:00pm, via an inter-district transfer permit, to any school or program that still has openings.

Can I turn in a late application for my student?

All applications must be turned in by 5:00 pm on Friday, February 21, 2025. No late applications will be accepted.

When will I find out if my student is offered a spot?

Notifications will be sent to families via SchoolMint on March 10, 2025, based on the communication preferences selected during registration (email, text message, or both).

Applicants must accept the offer through SchoolMint by the deadline specified in their offer notification.

Additional Requirements for Acceptance for New Students to the District

New students to the district must also complete a full registration form. A link to this form will be included in the notifications sent to families. Additionally, the following documents will need to be provided: photo identification, address verification, proof of birth, and immunization records. Applicants will be automatically removed from the open enrollment program acceptance list if they do not complete registration by the offer deadline.

Does my student have the right to return to their original neighborhood school after registering in Open Enrollment?

Once you accept a placement, the Open Enrollment school becomes your student’s neighborhood school for grades K-12. When your student moves to the next school level (e.g., elementary to middle school or middle school to high school), they will be enrolled at their neighborhood school based on your residence.

If you want to return to your original neighborhood school, you must apply for an intra-district permit through the Enrollment Center between April 7, 2025 - April 25, 2025. Please note that intra-district permits are requests, not guaranteed placements.

My family is moving outside of the SCUSD boundary. What will happen to my student’s acceptance?

If you move outside the SCUSD boundaries, your Open Enrollment placement will be voided. You will need to register your student with the new school district.

I live within the SCUSD boundary, but my student attends a private school. Can my student apply through Open Enrollment?

Yes. 

If my student is attending a SCUSD School on an inter-district permit (i.e., you live outside the district boundaries) can I apply through Open Enrollment?

No. Students who live outside the district boundaries are not eligible. Students who live outside our district boundaries can apply for a permit April 7, 2025 - April 25, 2025. 

I live outside of the SCUSD boundary. Can my student apply through Open Enrollment?

No. Students who live outside the district boundaries are not eligible. Students who live outside our district boundaries can apply for a permit April 7, 2025 - April 25, 2025. 

I live outside of the SCUSD boundary and one of my students already attends a SCUSD school. Do my other students have sibling preference? 

No.

I am a SCUSD employee and live outside of the SCUSD boundary. Does my student have preference to attend the school I work at?

No. However, students who live within our district boundaries whose parent/guardian’s primary place of employment is at the selected school are given lottery priority. 

How does the lottery work?

Open Enrollment is not a first-come, first-serve basis. You may apply anytime during the application window to be considered.

SCUSD uses a computerized, third-party lottery system to place students at their specialty program of choice. A lottery must be implemented if applications exceed the grade capacity at the requested program.

One of the following lottery scenarios will occur:

• Your student is selected for their first school of choice and receives a notification communication to register. 
• If your student applied to only one school of choice and was not selected, they will be placed on a waiting list.
• If your student applied for two schools of choice and was not selected for their first choice, the computer will look for their second choice. Note: Second choice selections are placed behind all first choice selections.
  • Your student is selected for their second school of choice and receives a notification communication to register.
  • Your student is not selected for their first or second specialty program choice. They will be placed on a waiting list for their first choice only.

What happens if my student doesn’t get accepted to the first or second school of choice?

Your student will only be placed on the waiting list for their first choice. Placement from the waiting list occurs only if space becomes available.

SchoolMint will send out an automatic notification if space becomes available.

Students who apply to a school and have not met the admissions requirements will not be included in the lottery. If the student hasn’t applied to another school of choice, the student must attend their neighborhood or current school.

If my student is accepted to their 2nd choice, will they be put on the 1st choice waiting list?

No. 

Who has priority in the lottery selection process?

Lottery Selection Priorities

• First priority
  • Siblings of students already in attendance at the selected school and will continue to be enrolled in the upcoming school year.
• Second priority
  • Students whose parent/guardian’s primary place of employment is the selected school.
• Third Priority – Current SCUSD TK Students Only
  • Students who apply for kindergarten at the school they attended for TK will receive priority. 

Schools without Attendance Boundaries

• First priority
  • Siblings of students already in attendance at the school and will continue to be enrolled in the upcoming school year.
• Second priority
  • Students whose parent/guardian’s primary place of employment is the selected school.