Duval County Public Schools - Every Student. Every Day.

The special transfer option is for families who choose for their child to attend a neighborhood school that is not their assigned neighborhood school based on their home address. An application is required to attend a different neighborhood school on a special transfer option.

There are two ways to apply, depending on the time of the year. The first way to apply is the lottery process. The second way is the controlled open enrollment process, which is available to families after the lottery process and enables students to access available seats on a first-come, first served basis. If your child is a new student in Duval County Public Schools, you will need to complete the new student application and create a linked parent account first.

If you are seeking a school that is not your neighborhood school, the best chance to gain admission to that school is during the lottery window. The lottery window for the 2026 – 2027 school year opens on Dec. 1, 2025 and closes on Jan. 31, 2026. Each application is assigned a priority based on School Board Policy 5.22. The lottery results are shared with families no later than mid-March.

If a student does not receive placement, the student is added to the school’s waitlist. Families can monitor the waitlist in FOCUS through their Linked Parent Account and will be notified if a seat becomes available.

Special Transfer Option applications can only be accessed through a parent or guardian's Linked Parent Account. Need a Linked Parent Account? Visit this webpage for next steps.

To complete and submit the application:

• Log in to your Linked Parent Account through the Family Portal

• Select the FOCUS button at the top of the page or from the "My Links tab"

• On the left-hand side, select your student’s name

• The special assignment applications will be located in the drop-down menu from December 1 – January 31

• Complete and submit the application by 11:59 p.m. on January 31

If you decide to change your school selection after you have applied, repeat the steps above to complete and submit a new application. The last application submitted will be one that is processed. All changes are final after 11:59 p.m. on January 31. 

If you revisit your application, be sure you enter a sibling preference or any other pertinent information before you submit it again.

Families who did not submit an application during the lottery application window can still apply for a special transfer option to a neighborhood school other than your assigned neighborhood school. This period of time is called controlled open enrollment. Controlled open enrollment takes place several times throughout the school year. Visit our controlled open enrollment process page to learn more.

Need help? Send your question or request to District Enrollment Services.

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