How to Apply for Palm Beach County School Choice Programs 2025-26

Although each student can only submit one application, they can apply for two courses and rank them in order of interest to increase their chances of placement in an elective program.

In 2018, more than 36,000 students registered for elective programs. About half of those students were placed in a program, although in many cases this was not their first choice. At the most selective schools, such as Suncoast High School and Bak Middle School, the 2018 Palm Beach Post analysis of enrollment in choice programs found the chance of placement was considerably lowerbetween 19% and 36% based on the program.

The results of the lottery for placements in the period 2025-2026 will be announced on April 4. Parents must then accept the seat assigned to their student on the district’s online dashboard.

About the new choice programs in Palm Beach County schools

Ten new elective programs represent a variety of communications and digital media options.

Here’s an overview of the new options and where they are located:

• Health and science research on Boca Raton Elementary: The program will help students learn basic skills in laboratory sciences and health sciences. Topics covered include health and wellness, basic anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, disease prevention, and general health care. It accepts applicants from across the province.
• Engineering and Technology Exploration at South Olive Elementary: Through hands-on activities, lessons and projects, students explore fundamental concepts in science, math and design as they learn how everyday objects are designed and built. It will be an in-house program available only to students attending South Olive.
• Pre-engineering at Christa McAuliffe Middle: Hands-on and project-based learning introduces students to engineering concepts. It accepts applicants from across the province. The program is also available at Congress, Crestwood and Roosevelt high schools.
• Computer Science at Dr. Joaquín García High: This program is intended for students pursuing a career in computer science. Students learn programming, database programming, algorithmic design, and computer-specific math and science. It is an internal program available only to students intended for Dr. Garcia High. The program is also available at Glades Central, Suncoast and West Boca Raton High Schools as full elective programs, meaning students from across the county can apply.
• Marketing and entrepreneurship at Dr. Joaquín García High: Students will focus on business, e-commerce, entertainment, fashion, finance, hospitality, law, management, sales and sports. Hands-on projects allow students to work with local businesses and entrepreneurs to develop leadership and skills in the real world. It accepts applicants from across the province and the program is also available at Royal Palm Beach High.
• Medical Sciences at Seminole Ridge High: This program will join more than a dozen other medical sciences programs across the province. It includes a rigorous academic curriculum with intense clinical and laboratory experiences. Student clinical rotations are conducted at local hospitals and other healthcare facilities. The program accepts applicants from across the province.
• Commercial digital photo at Suncoast High: The program prepares students for career opportunities in the many areas of photography, including advertising, aerial photography, commercial, crime scene, photojournalism, weddings and wildlife. Students learn the details of equipment and software use, including Adobe Photoshop. The program accepts applicants from across the province.
• Drafting and designing at Suncoast High: Students in this course will use AutoCAD Computer Aided Design software for architectural, mechanical, and 3D projects. This program also includes the study of the processes, uses and technical skills found in visual technologies, multimedia productions, computer animation and graphics, web page design and electronic media. The program accepts applicants from across the county and is also available at Lake Worth High School.
• Game Simulation and Animation Programming at Suncoast High: Students study computer programming, game design, 2D and 3D art and animation, which are essential skills for various career paths in the gaming industry. The program accepts applicants from across the province.
• Digital Media at West Boca High: Students will produce digital still and animated images through the use of computers, digital cameras, digital video cameras, scanners, photo editing software, drawing and painting software, graphics tablets, printers, new media, and emerging technologies. The program accepts applicants from across the province and is also available at Dreyfoos School of the Arts and Boynton Beach High.