District of Choice

Background

The District of Choice Program allows a student to transfer to a school district that participates in this program. In 2017, California Education Code (EC) sections 48300 through 48316 were adopted, adding new requirements for districts participating in this program:

• A District of Choice must determine the number of transfer students it is willing to accept and must ensure that students admitted are selected through a random, unbiased process. The admissions process prohibits an evaluation of whether or not the student should be enrolled based on his or her academic or athletic performance, physical condition, or proficiency in English.
  
  
• The new law requires a District of Choice to meet several new state and local requirements including registration, student registration, and data reporting. The California Department of Education (CDE) and the respective county office of education (COE) also have a role in adhering to these requirements as specified in the following sections.

2021–2022 and 2022–2023 Districts of Choice

Districts electing to participate in the District of Choice Program are required to register with the CDE no later than October 15. A list of districts who have registered with the CDE as participating in the District of Choice Program for the current school year are:

• List of Districts of Choice for 2021–2022 (XLSX)
  
  
• List of Districts of Choice for 2022–2023 (XLSX)
  
  
• District of Choice – File Record Layout

Lists of districts participating in the District of Choice Program for previous years are available upon request by email at DistrictofChoice@cde.ca.gov.

District of Choice Data Files

District of Choice Data Files
Downloadable data files for Districts of Choice and Districts of Residence.

For questions about student transfers, contact your school district. For more information about district transfers District Transfers web page.

Registration and Withdrawal Process

Districts electing to participate in or withdraw from the District of Choice program beginning in the 2024–25 school year were required to register with the CDE by October 15, 2023. Registration for the 2023–24 school year is now closed.

For questions about student transfers, contact your school district.

Resources

District Participation & Data Reporting Information
Information for districts regarding participating in the District of Choice program and data reporting requirements for districts of choice

District of Choice Frequently Asked Questions.
Answers to frequently asked questions about the District of Choice program.