By Eric Young

eric.young@gazette.com

Colorado families are able to attend any public school in the state for free, regardless of where they live through open enrollment.

The application process for school choice is now underway for the 2025-2026 school year in El Paso County and here are four things families should know when applying.

1. How does school choice work?

School choice has been an option opened to parents and students since the passage of Colorado’s Public Schools of Choice law in 1994. The law ensures that parents or guardians can enroll their child somewhere outside their zoned school through an application. These days, applications can be filled out the website of the preferred district.

Once the student is accepted, their parents don’t need to fill out another application the next year if the student stays at that school.

2. What should go into the decision process?

Beyond academics and educational offerings, parents and guardians should consider additional factors like transportation and school capacity when applying. Unlike with their neighborhood school, transportation is not a guarantee.

3. How likely is placement at a school of choice?

Acceptance depends largely on classroom capacity, which differs from school to school and district to district based on local demographics. Parents are encouraged to tour schools and ask their principals and administrators about capacity before making a choice.

Other schools may have special stipulations that might result in a rejection. This is often the case with charter schools, but different districts have their own criteria. Possible factors include expulsion history, course prerequisites or age restrictions. Smaller schools may also lack the capacity to care for certain special needs.

4. When is the deadline?

Application windows vary by district, and parents should check the website of their school of choice. Charter schools authorized by each district will appear on their websites. Those that are authorized through the state charter school institute can be found on the official state website.