As Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) families begin to prepare for the holiday season, it is also time to start making plans for the next academic year. PUSD’s annual Open Enrollment for the 2016-2017 academic year begins Jan. 12, 2016 with the general online application process. However, the priority registration period is now underway for siblings of currently-enrolled permit students, preKindergarten students entering the dual language immersion programs, and current fifth graders who will continue in the district’s dual language immersion or International Baccalaureate programs. Priority registration concludes Nov. 20, 2015.

“The schools of the Pasadena Unified School District are the first choice in education for families who value academic excellence, innovation and diversity,” said Superintendent Brian McDonald, Ed.D. “Every child is guaranteed a place at their neighborhood school and Open Enrollment offers additional opportunities for families to select academic programs that fit their children’s interests.”
To assist families in making decisions and navigating the Open Enrollment process, PUSD and its partners have scheduled informational sessions this winter.

The Open Enrollment process offers families an opportunity to apply to a school other than their assigned neighborhood school in the next academic year. While every child living within PUSD boundaries is guaranteed placement in their neighborhood school, a different campus might offer a specialized program or focus that better suits the interests and needs of the individual student. Through Open Enrollment, families can apply for dual language immersion programs in Spanish and Mandarin, International Baccalureate, STEM, visual and performing arts, high school college and career academies, and much more.

The online application period for the first lottery of the 2016-2017 Open Enrollment is Jan. 12 through Feb. 2, 2016. Notifications will be made by March, with registration occurring shortly thereafter. A second lottery and registration for any remaining spots will take place in April.

Immersion Prekindergarten and fifth grade students. Registration takes place at schools, not the district office, and must be completed by 12 p.m. Nov. 20, 2015. For information on registration sites and required documentation, visit openenrollment.info For information about schools, explore PUSD’s new Find My School locator.

To assist families in navigating the process and in completing online applications, PUSD and its partners offer the following informational and computer lab sessions:

Informational Sessions & Presentations:

• Monday, Nov. 16, 2015, 6:30 p.m. District English Learner Advisory Committee Meeting presentation, 119 Palm Ave., Altadena
• Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015, 7 p.m. Informational Session with Pasadena Education Network, Pasadena Central Library, 285 E. Walnut St., Pasadena
• Friday, Dec. 11, 2015 Informational session. Check openenrollment.info for time and location
• Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016, Check openenrollment.info for time and location
• Tuesday, Jan. 12, 6 p.m. McKinley School, 325 S. Oak Knoll Ave., Pasadena

Computer Lab Sessions
Computers will be available to complete online applications:

• January 13 & 29, 2016 and April 6, 2016, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., PUSD Education Center, 351 S. Hudson Ave., Room 240
• January 21 & 28 and April 7, 2016 during school hours at all PUSD schools

Stay connected to the Pasadena Unified School District! Visit us online at www.pusd.us; follow us on Twitter @PasadenaUnified, www.twitter.com/PasadenaUnified; like PUSD on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PasadenaUnifiedSchoolDistrict; text PUSD to 888777; and subscribe to PUSD’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/klrnpasadena. Or call the Communications Office, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday at (626) 396-3606.

Our Children. Learning Today. Leading Tomorrow.