School District open enrollment period underway
Parents have the opportunity, now through Feb. 28, to choose their school of choice during Open Enrollment for new students to the district, those entering sixth grade and ninth grade.
“This allows the younger sibling to be preplaced with the older sibling together in the same school. Also, while we have moved to a proximity plan at elementary and middle levels, it allows parents the opportunity to (have) more selection of schools available during Open Enrollment. Students enrolled after the Open Enrollment period may not receive their preferred choice school as the school may have no available seats,” Student Enrollment Director Soretta Ralph said.
The process can be done through FOCUS.
“Parents with children new to the district may visit the Student Enrollment website… and select the blue button if they have never been enrolled in Lee County, or the orange button if they are re-enrolling or enrolling from a charter school. The site will guide the parent in creating the FOCUS portal and linking their child to the portal,” she said.
Once this step is taken, the parent can then complete the enrollment process.
“We are pleased to continue to offer parents the convenience of submitting all their information online through FOCUS. Parents with questions are welcome to email studentenrollment@leeschools.net. Lastly our office remains open on Colonial Boulevard with staff available to assist,” Ralph said.
Proximity is in place for both elementary and middle schools, which allows parents to have their child enrolled in a school closer to their residence.
“Depending on the residential address, there are at least two middle schools in each zone, some have more,” Ralph said.
As far as high school, she said students have the opportunity to select a school in their large zone.
“Cape Coral residents select from the schools in the West Zone. Students residing in the south select from the schools in the South Zone; this year this includes Dunbar High. The East Zone families select schools in the east zone, including Island Coast,” Ralph said.
Parents will receive communication from FOCUS indicating their school of enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year the first week of April.