School Choice

School choice gives families the opportunity to be involved in selecting the school their child will attend and to explore options outside of their attendance area zone. Flagler Schools uses school choice as a strategy to ensure that students receive the education that best meets their needs.

Families should consider the possible consequences of changing schools. In some cases, academic credit and athletic eligibility may be impacted, particularly for middle and high school students. Academic concerns should be discussed with the school counselor, and athletic concerns should be discussed with the athletic director.

School Choice Applications for the 2026-2027 School Year

The Controlled Open Enrollment window for the Fall Semester of the 2026-2027 school year will be open from February 1st through February 28th. To initiate the application process, please use the Controlled Open Enrollment link provided below.

Employee Choice Applications for eligible employees will open for the 2026-2027 school year on March 1st.

Hardship Choice Applications will open for all schools for the 2026-2027 school year on March 1st.

Please continue to monitor our website for announcements regarding future enrollment opportunities that may become available throughout the spring and summer.

2026-2027 Applications

Controlled Open Enrollment 2026-2027 (Fall Semester)

Open February 1-28, 2026

Parent Notification March 1-13, 2026

Flagler County Schools’ Controlled Open Enrollment plan allows parents to enroll their student in a school, other than their zoned school, that has available capacity.

Students currently attending a school through a previous Controlled Open Enrollment (COE) application are not required to reapply.

If a student’s ability to succeed at their zoned school may be adversely affected by an existing condition or situation, please submit a Hardship Application.

IEP requirements cannot be guaranteed for students accepting a transfer through Controlled Open Enrollment.
If a student attends a school that is not their home zoned school, they are responsible for their own transportation.

Students accepted into Controlled Open Enrolment on school choice may remain enrolled as long as they maintain good standing by adhering to the school's attendance, academic, and behavioral guidelines.

The schools listed below have limited capacity.

If there are more requests than student seats available at a school, a lottery system will be used to determine which students will be granted assignments.

Lottery Notification: March 1-5, 2026
School Start Date: August 10, 2026

Florida law requires districts to give priority to the following students:

Dependent children of active duty military personnel whose move resulted from military orders;
Children who have been relocated due to a foster care placement in a different school zone;
Children who move due to a court-ordered change in custody due to a separation or divorce, or due to the serious illness or death of a custodial parent;
Children who live in Flagler County.

School Choice FAQs

Diploma Plus Programs

Diploma Plus programs offered at each of our high schools are school choice options that allow students to enroll in a specific set of courses with a designated focus. Students accepted into these programs have the opportunity to explore options outside of their attendance area zone. Transfers are granted through completion of the Controlled Open Enrollment application process. Acceptance into the program will be done through the course selection process at the high school.

The Diploma Plus programs listed below do not require a separate application. Program placement is based on student course selections following admission through the Controlled Open Enrollment process. Approval of a COE application does not guarantee placement in a Diploma Plus program.

FPCHS Diploma Plus Programs		MHS Diploma Plus Programs
AFJROTC		AJROTC
Agritechnology		Allied Health
Allied Health		Building Construction Technology
Building Construction Technology		Culinary
Culinary		Cybersecurity
Digital Media		Digital Media
Digital Video Technology		Future Educators
Entrepreneurship		Hospitality & Tourism
Fire Academy		Law & Justice
Vet Assisting		Marketing & Finance

Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance into a Diploma Plus program.

Opens February 1, 2026 at 8 a.m.

Controlled Open Enrolment Application 2026-2027

International Baccalaureate and Advanced International Certificate of Education Applications

Students interested in the International Baccalaureate program (IB) at Flagler Palm Coast or Advanced International Certificate of Education program (AICE) at Matanzas High School MUST apply using the applications linked below.

Flagler Palm Coast High School IB Program

Flagler Palm Coast High School IB Diploma Plus Application

Matanzas High School AICE Program

Matanzas High School AICE Diploma Plus Application

Employee Choice 2025-2026

Flagler Schools is pleased to announce the Employee Choice enrollment opportunity for the 2025-2026 school year. This program allows eligible employees to enroll their children in a school within the district, regardless of their assigned attendance zone.

Eligibility:

This opportunity is available to all full-time and part-time employees of Flagler Schools.
Please note that substitute teachers and adjunct coaches are not eligible for the program.

We recognize the dedication and commitment of our employees, and this program is designed to provide you with greater flexibility in your children's education.

Employee Choice Request Application 2025-2026

Employee Choice 2026-2027 (Opens March 1st)

Hardship Choice 2025-2026 - All Schools

Families may apply for a hardship transfer when a condition or situation exists that could adversely impact the student's ability to succeed at their zoned school.

Students accepted through the Hardship Choice program may remain enrolled at their chosen school, provided they maintain good standing by adhering to the program's attendance, academic, and behavioral guidelines.

If applicable, relevant documentation must be submitted upon completion of the Hardship Choice Request Application. Failure to submit requested documentation in a timely manner will result in a delay of review.

Please allow up to four to six weeks for approval/denial notifications. Please submit a separate application for each student.

Below is a list of acceptable hardships (choices that have an asterisk after them require supporting documents):

Active Military*
Court Ordered Custody*
Court Ordered Injunction*
District Sibling Transfer (Sibling has been moved to another school)
Foster Care Placement*
Home Purchase/Under Contract*
Hope Scholarship (if Capacity Allows)
Moved out of Zone/Already Attending
School Substantiated Bullying/Harassment*
Shared Custody Agreement*
Other

Hardship Choice Application 2025-2026

Hardship Choice 2026-2027 (Opens March 1st)

Scholarships

Florida provides a variety of school choice options, which include K–12 scholarship programs. These scholarship programs allow families choice among public and private schools, empowering them to discover educational options that work best for their student. Please visit the School Choice Scholarships page for eligibility and application information.

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