Ellen Truskowski Pinellas County School Choices

Pinellas County Schools: Discover Your Choices 

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Pinellas County Schools offers a growing list of 70 Choice Programs focused on students’ interests, talents and abilities. Families can choose from a wide variety of magnet, fundamental and career programs. Some of our many options include gifted studies, the arts, journalism and international studies. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) programs are available at all grade levels. Career programs range from culinary arts to automotive technology to criminal justice. We have also added several programs over the past few years based on feedback from families. Next school year, we will debut a new technical high school, offering digital arts, nursing, veterinary sciences, electricity, game simulation and programming, and building and construction technology programs.  

Related: Hillsborough County School Options

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We are proud to provide so many choices. In fact, Pinellas County Schools has been nationally recognized for the quality options it offers families. The Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., named Pinellas the top district in Florida and among the top 10 in the country for school choice. 

Learn more: Pinellas County School Choice Guide

The application period for Choice Programs is Jan. 10-19, 2018. During November and December, families have many opportunities to discover Choice Programs:   

  • Visit Pinellas County Schools Choice webpage, www.pcsb.org/choice, for information about Choice Programs, the application process and important dates. The site also features the District Application Programs Guide, which provides descriptions of all application programs, answers to frequently asked questions and a step-by-step guide on how to apply. 
  • Choice Information Fairs. Both our Information Fairs showcase all our application programs. At these popular events, you’ll have a chance to explore programs, collect brochures and talk with Choice Program representatives.  
  • Discovery Nights. Each application program holds its own Discovery Night, an open-house style event where families can learn more about programs that interest them. A list of Discovery Nights is available on our choice webpage www.pcsb.org/choice.   
  • School Tours and Shadowing Opportunities. You can also contact schools to schedule a tour. At the high school level, many programs offer opportunities for students to shadow other students at programs that appeal to them. 

It’s a pleasure to share our many Choice Program options. If you have questions or need additional information, please call our Student Assignment Office at 727-588-6210.  

Mark Your Calendar for Choice Program Events: 

Parent Information Sessions: Learn how to apply for District Application Programs, 6:30-7:30 p.m. in school auditoriums:  

Nov. 1 at Countryside High, 3000 SR 580, Clearwater  

Nov. 2 at Boca Ciega High, 924 58th St. S., Gulfport  

Nov. 6 at Pinellas Park High, 6305 118th Ave. N., Largo 

Learn more by clicking here.

Information Fairs:  

Nov. 9 at Boca Ciega High School, 924 58th St. S., Gulfport 6 – 8 p.m.  

Nov. 11 at Pinellas Park High School, 6305 118th Ave. N., Largo 9 a.m.- noon 

  • Discovery Nights: Nov. 13 – Dec. 22 
  • Application Period: Jan. 10 – 19 
  • Acceptance Period: Feb. 14 – 21