Frequently Asked Wait List and Late Application Period Questions

Wait List Questions

Q. How do I get my wait list number?

A. Contact the Program Coordinator at the school to receive your wait list number.  Please note: The Student Assignment Office does not give wait list numbers and will inform you to call the school.

Q.  How will I know if I am being offered a seat on the wait list?

A. As seats become available, the Program Coordinator will make calls and/or emails from the wait list in numerical order.  

Q. How long can my child stay on a wait list if no invitation is received?

A.  It depends.  

If your child is not currently in a DAP program, applicants stay on the wait list for all of the programs to which they apply until they accept an invitation to one of the programs. Accepting an invitation to a program automatically removes a student’s name from all other waiting lists (except for the Centers for Gifted Studies). For grades K-7, waiting lists expire on March 1 of the applied for school year.  For grades 8-12, waiting lists expire on the 11th day of the second semester.  

If your child is currently in a District Application Program (DAP), you will need to make a decision at the end of the school year on whether to return to the program next year (and give up the wait list spot) or to remain on the wait list (and give up the current program for the zoned school).  

Q. What happens at the end of the school year if my student is currently in a DAP program and on the wait list for a different DAP program?

 A. At the end of the school year, you will need to decide whether you want to stay at the current program and be taken off the wait list of the other program(s) or transfer to your zoned school to remain on the other program’s wait list.

Q. What happens if I have multiple children who applied and only one child is invited to a program?

A. Sibling priorities are only given during the initial application period.  If one child receives and accepts a seat during the late application, the other sibling's wait list number remains the same.

Q. If I apply to one of these schools and accept an invitation, can I change my mind and try to get into a zoned school instead?

A. You may, but there is no guarantee that a seat would be available in the zoned school. Students entering kindergarten, sixth, or ninth grade are assigned to their zoned school in most cases. Students in other grades will be assigned based on seat availability.

Q. Are seats offered for every grade?

A. Seats can be offered at all grade levels if there is available space.  As seats open, the school will call and make an offer to parents on the wait list in numerical order. 

 Late Application Period Questions

Q. How do I apply?

A.    In-County Residents can apply online at https://reservation.pcsb.org using your User ID and password.  Select the District Application Programs tab and follow the directions. You can select up to five programs.

Out-of-county residents can apply by completing and submitting a Special Attendance Permit (SAP) form.

Q. Can I apply to any of the programs?

A. No, some programs have application areas, which are geographic locations where students must live in order to apply for certain programs. These areas are usually based on students’ zoned schools. Some programs have unique application areas. Many programs do not have application areas and are available to students countywide.  Visit www.pcsb.org/dap to download the District Application Programs guide to learn more about application areas.  Page 19 provides a key for programs with application areas.

Q. May I apply to more than one program?

A. Yes, you may apply to up to five programs in order of preference (first ranked choice is the top choice). Priority preferences will only apply to the first ranked program. There are some programs that have eligibility criteria that applicants must meet. The District Application Programs procedures manual contains the entrance criteria for each program. You can find it at www.pcsb.org/choice. 

NOTE:

• You may only apply to one of the two (based on the student’s address):
  • Center for Wellness and Medical Professions Programs at Boca Ciega High or Palm Harbor University High or the
  • Center for Innovation and Digital Learning at Gulf Beaches Elementary or the Center for STEAM and Digital Learning at Kings Highway Elementary
  • Center for the Arts and International Studies at Perkins Elementary or Conservatory for the Arts at Sandy Lane Elementary

• For application area programs, parents may only apply to the program located within the application area in which they live.
  • Please note:  During the late application period, a few programs will open for countywide applications.  Transportation is only given to the designated application area from the initial application period, not countywide. 

Q. Is there any advantage to applying early in the late application period?

 A.  Yes, late applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. All applications received during the application period will be placed after any remaining initial applications.

Q. If I apply to a magnet or fundamental program, will my child lose the seat at the current school?

 A. No, students do not lose their current seat by applying to one of these programs. The seat is surrendered for the following year only if the parent receives and accepts an invitation to a program.  You will need to make a decision at the end of the year whether you want to stay at the current program and be taken off the wait list of the other program(s) or transfer to your zoned school to remain on the other program’s wait list.

Q. Will I receive any official written notification if my child is accepted into one of these programs?

A.  No. Schools will make offers as seats become available.  You will receive a phone call and/or email to offer you the seat. The school will attempt to contact you for 3 days before moving on to the next wait list number.  Once you receive an offer, school board policy allows 3 business days to respond to the offer.

 Q. What can I do if I have a question or problem with the application process?

 A.  If there is a technical question about the online system, parents may contact the Tech Help center at (727) 588-6060 or email help@pcsb.org. For all other questions, call Student Assignment, (727) 588-6210.