Navigating School Choice for the 2023-2024 School Year
Have some anxiety and questions about DPS School Choice for the 2023-2024 school year? You’re not alone! The School Choice process can be overwhelming and Round 1 is quickly approaching after the holidays. To jump start your research and ease your minds, we sat down with the ultimate expert, Keely Buchannan, of Colorado Educational Consulting. Keely helps Colorado families make informed educational choices for their up-and-coming Preschoolers, Kindergartners, Elementary, Middle, and High School children.
As a mom of 2 getting ready to navigate School Choice, Keely’s knowledge and guidance have been instrumental in understanding how Choice works and what to expect from the process. Round 1 of Choice for the 2023-2024 school year opens on January 13th at 10am and goes through February 14th at 4pm.
In the below videos we discuss the process of School Choice and common questions. I included some bullet points for key highlights as well as additional resources.
Have more specific questions? Keely has an in-person class coming up on Sunday, December 11th, from 9am-1pm that is specifically for the Central Park enrollment zone. Click here to register.
This video goes a bit more in depth for ECE programs. Keely has some excellent advice for parents that are diving into Choice and hoping to land an ECE seat. These spots are very challenging to get into, so take heart if you do not get a seat (you’re not alone!) and always have a backup plan!
Video Highlights:
- DPS Choice Round 1 is open from Jan 13th at 10am until Feb 14th at 4pm.
- There is no benefit in completing the process before Feb 14th .
- DPS has a centralized, online process with one deadline for everyone.
- You can submit and make changes as many times as you’d like before the deadline on Feb. 14th.
- There is an algorithm that assigns you a random number, which is used in conjunction with each schools Admissions Priority Groups (Keely does a really nice job explaining this in the video).
- Tour schools to find a good fit for your student and their learning style.
- Check school bell times to see how they work for your family.
- For ECE 3&4, use all 12 choice slots (including all 6 schools in the Central Park Enrollment Zone).
- Keely offers educational consulting in a variety of formats to help you navigate this process.
KINDERGARTEN- GRADE 12 SPECIFIC VIDEO
If you live in the Central Park enrollment zone, you are guaranteed a seat at one of the schools within your zone. Keely recommends you tour multiple schools to find which best fits with your child and then rank them in your portal. Remember, if you don’t get your first choice during round 1, it doesn’t mean you won’t potentially move up prior to the school year. Check your waitlist status for movement.
Here are a few takeaways from the video:
- DPS Choice Round 1 is open from Jan 13th at 10am until Feb 14th at 4pm.
- There is no benefit in completing the process before Feb 14th .
- DPS has a centralized, online process with one deadline for everyone.
- You can submit and make changes as many times as you’d like before the deadline on Feb. 14th.
- There is an algorithm that assigns you a random number, which is used in conjunction with each schools Admissions Priority Groups (Keely does a really nice job explaining this in the video).
- Tour schools to find a good fit for your student and their learning style.
- Check school bell times to see how they work for your family.
- For Kinder, use 6-9 slots (including all 6 schools in the Central Park Enrollment Zone).
- Keely offers educational consulting in a variety of formats to help you navigate this process.
Resources
Keely Buchanan phone: (303) 638-2894
Email: keely@coeducationalconsulting.com
Colorado Educational Consulting website
How do Schools Work in Central Park?
Pro Tips for Touring Schools in the Central Park Neighborhood
Round I Choice and Enrollment website: https://schoolchoice.dpsk12.org/schoolchoice/round-1/
Denver Public Schools – School Finder: https://dps.schoolmint.net/school-finder/home
Universal Preschool – UPK Colorado: https://earlyeducation.dpsk12.org/universal-preschool-upk-colorado/
