School Choice
Applications for the 2025-2026 Specialty Pathways Program Will Open on December 1st!
2025-2026 School Choice Options
Specialty Pathways Program - Application Period Opens December 1, 2024
Our Specialty Pathways program offers a unique educational experience that supports students' ambitions and prepares them for future success. Students have the opportunity to apply for an early seat in one of twelve featured schools offering Specialty Pathways, which include academic programs such as Advanced Placement (AP), Cambridge International (AICE), and International Baccalaureate (IB); specialized schoolwide focuses like environmental studies, communication, and leadership; Career and Technical Education (CTE) academies; and JROTC.
Eligible to any Martin County resident and children of Employees.
Currently available at 12 featured schools.
Families must apply via the FOCUS Parent Portal. Complete instructions are included below.
Controlled Open Enrollment (COE) - Application Period Opens March 1, 2025
Eligible to any Martin County resident as well as residents of any Florida county.
No annual renewal is needed. If a student's application is approved, he/she may continue attending the chosen school through the highest grade level offered on the campus.
The application window closes on March 31, 2025.
Families must apply via the FOCUS Parent Portal. Complete instructions are included below.
ONLINE APPLICATION PROCESS
The School Choice online application must be completed through your FOCUS Parent Portal (Forms Summary).
Click here for the comprehensive instructions on how to access the FOCUS Parent Portal or create a new account.
Controlled Open Enrollment
Per FS 1002.31 and School Board Policy 5121, parents of students from any school district in the state that are not subject to a current expulsion or suspension can apply for Controlled Open Enrollment to any public, or charter school, that has not reached capacity in the district. Martin County School District school capacities are determined using the Florida Inventory of School Houses and those identified with less than 75% capacity are eligible for COE. Martin County residents are given priority access to available seats.
COE Schools for the 2025-2026 School Year
Eligible to any In-County or Out-of-county resident
Controlled Open Enrollment Schools have not been determined for the 2025-2026 school year. We will update this site when they have been announced.
Parents must submit an online application during March for consideration. They may list up to three school options in order of preference (1st, 2nd and 3rd choice) if applicable. Placements are based on seats available. If more applications are received than seats available, the selection will be made through a random number lottery process. Any request denied due to capacity will be monitored on a waitlist and processed as seats become available.
Email notifications to parents will go out beginning the second week in April.
If the COE application is approved, the student may remain at the COE school until they complete the highest grade level, pending they do not present with poor attendance, disciplinary problems, or it is revealed that information was falsified in the application.
Transportation
Transportation will not be provided for students assigned through COE or School Choice and is the parent's responsibility.
Revocation
A previously approved COE or School Choice request can be rescinded due to poor attendance, disciplinary problems, or if any information in the application is falsified.
Additionally, School Choice requests may be rescinded if a school becomes overcrowded.
If a student is at a high school on School Choice through a Specialty Pathway, they must remain in the program or enroll at their home zoned school at the beginning of the next semester.
Office of Innovation & Choice
1939 SE Federal Highway
Stuart, FL 34994
Phone: (772) 219-1200 ext. 30411
Email: choice@martinschools.org