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School Choice- What You Need to Know

Christina Hafler

May 19, 2025

It’s almost time for round 1 of SchoolChoice! You have likely seen communication from DPS about SchoolChoice and what it means. There’s a lot of information, so we’ve included everything you need to know here:

Dates 

  • Jan. 15, 2025: Round 1 of SchoolChoice opens at 10 a.m.

  • Feb. 18, 2025: SchoolChoice Round 1 closes. All applications are due by 4 p.m.

  • Late March, 2025: Families are notified of school assignments

  • April 8, 2025: Round 2 of SchoolChoice opens

  • Aug. 29, 2025: Round 2 of SchoolChoice closes. All applications are due by 4 p.m.

Overview

SchoolChoice is for any student who wants or needs to attend a new school for the following school year. This particularly impacts transitioning students who are typically incoming kindergarten, sixth- and ninth-grade students who are moving into a new school due to their grade level. All incoming ECE students, as well as incoming students who reside in an enrollment zone, must complete an application. 

Here’s how it works:

  • FIND information about DPS school options for your student. Use the mobile-friendly School Finder, read the 2025-26 Enrollment Guide and contact schools directly for more information about their programs and culture.

  • APPLY anytime between 10 a.m. Jan. 15 and Feb. 18, 2025 by ranking your preferred schools using the online SchoolChoice application. Simply create an account or use your Parent Portal username and password. Then, access the application beginning at 10 a.m. Jan. 15. 

  • REGISTER with your school after you get your school placement results in late March 2025.

Check out our FAQ for a larger overview of the SchoolChoice process. If you need additional help or have questions, start by contacting the SchoolChoice hotline at 720-423-3493, emailing schoolchoice@dpsk12.org or contacting us at McMeen.

Note: Incoming ECE students must participate in SchoolChoice on a yearly basis; due to space limitations, enrollment in a preschool program is not guaranteed. Learn more about the ECE application process here. 

In most cases, if your student is currently in kindergarten through 11th grade and will be staying at their current school for 2025-26, you do not have to fill out a SchoolChoice application. 

Check out this video in English or Spanish for a quick, easy-to-understand summary of SchoolChoice!