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.

2023–2024 and 2024–2025 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 District of Choice for 2024–2025(XLSX)
  
  
• List of Districts of Choice for 2023–2024(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 choosing to participate in the District of Choice Program have between September 24 through October 18, 2024, to register as a District of Choice for the 2025–26 school year.

Under EC Section 48301(g), a school district of choice shall register as a school district of choice with both the Superintendent in a manner specified by the Superintendent and the county board of education where the school district of choice is located.

Under EC Section 48308(d), a transfer to a District of Choice is applicable for one school year and is renewed automatically "unless the school district of choice through the adoption of a resolution elects to no longer accept any transfer pupils pursuant to this article." Until such time as a district adopts a resolution which can take place during the annual registration/withdrawal window, it remains a District of Choice and subject to all requirements.

District of Choice Application/Withdrawal

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.