Special Assignment Requests allow families to apply to attend a school other than their neighborhood or zoned school. A Special Assignment Request cannot be made to a District Application Program or an Educational Alternative Services Program because a separate application process is required.
Please note that we need to know the number of available seats to be able to grant or offer Special Assignment Requests. Special Assignment Requests are granted on a space-available basis using a functional capacity determination.
Please note: Kindergarten requests are typically processed last, as many parents enroll their children during the summer. This timing helps us assess our functional capacity before making final decisions.
All such assignments are valid through the highest grade level. Bus transportation is not provided for granted Special Assignment Requests. Parents must arrange to get their child to and from school safely and on time. Find out more about the district Student Assignment policy.
Families who were granted SARs were and are contacted by the email listed in the application. All other families are on a wait list.
Parents will be contacted when and if a seat becomes available. If you have not received an offer, you are on a wait list.
APPLICATION PERIODS
For Grades 1-12
- Initial SAR Application Period: February 4 - 14, 2025
- Late SAR Application Period: April 2 -18, 2025
For Kindergarten
- Initial SAR Application Period: March 3 - 14, 2025
- Late SAR Application Period: April 2 -18, 2025
Please note: your child must be enrolled for the 2025-26 school year in order to apply for a SAR. Making a reservation is only a first step. You must also bring the required documentation to the school to complete the enrollment process. You can start to enroll for the 2025-26 school year starting February 3, 2025.
To apply:
Go to the Focus Parent Portal https://focus.pcsb.org and look for the Student Reservation System tab in the left-side menu.
Click the link and when the page opens, click Special Assignment Request (SAR) to apply.
Special Assignment Requests (SAR) will be granted when there is available space. If there are more requests than available seats, a wait list will be created and maintained.
Students granted a Special Assignment Request (SAR) may remain at the assigned school through the highest grade level as long as there is capacity and all zoned students are able to attend their zoned school.
