Lake County Schools is now accepting applications for the 2025-26 Educational Choice Transfer (ECT) program, giving families the opportunity to apply for their child to attend a public school outside of their assigned attendance zone.

The first Open Enrollment Window is now open for Lake County residents and will remain available through April 30. A second Open Enrollment Window, beginning in June, will extend the opportunity to all Florida residents.

What is Educational Choice?

Educational Choice provides families with the flexibility to send their children to any traditional public school in Florida, regardless of their home address, as long as:
✔️ The school has available capacity.
✔️ The family can provide transportation.

This opportunity is open to students from Kindergarten through 12th grade. However, Pre-K programs, Charter Schools, Magnet Schools, and other specialized programs are not included in this process.

If a school receives more applications than available seats, a random computerized lottery will determine placements. Parents will be notified of results in mid-May for the first application window and mid-July for the second window.

Key Details of the Application Process:

✅ Each student may apply for a First (1st) Choice and Second (2nd) Choice school, provided those schools have open capacity.
✅ Applications do not guarantee a transfer – they are subject to available space and the lottery process.
✅ Students not selected will be placed on a waiting list, though there is no guarantee the list will be activated.
✅ Families must provide their own transportation. A transportation scholarship may be available for eligible families through the Florida Department of Education. 
✅ If your child is currently enrolled in their preferred school through an ECT from a prior year, you do not need to reapply unless they have withdrawn or are requesting a different school.
✅ Students with an active alternative placement, expulsion, or suspension are not eligible for ECT until their disciplinary period has ended.

How to Apply

To apply for an Educational Choice Transfer, parents and guardians must submit an ECT Online Application, ensuring that the selected school has available space.

• Window 1 (Lake County Residents Only): February 3 – April 30, 2025 (Results in mid-May)
• Window 2 (All Florida Residents): June 2 – June 30, 2025 (Results in mid-July)
• Supplemental Applications: July 21, 2025 – May 2026 (Processed on a first-come, first-served basis)

Parents will receive application results via email from scribonline@scribsoft.com.

For more information on school capacity lists, application requirements, and next steps, visit Lake County Schools Website or contact the district office.

Photo shared from Eustis Elementary School