School choice program demand up; signup is now

South Florida schools expect to see a record number of applications for school choice programs as deadlines to apply are quickly approaching.

The programs allow students to choose schools outside their neighborhoods, and offer educational options ranging from culinary arts to robotics to auto repair to college prep. Among the most popular are medical academies and technology programs, aid Peter Licata, assistant superintendent for Palm Beach County schools.

“The public needed these programs and demanded them,” Licata said, explaining the increased applications, even though overall school district enrollments have remained steady.

Palm Beach County’s deadline is Feb. 2, extended on Tuesday from Jan. 26. Broward’s is Feb. 7. MiamiDade’s was Jan. 15.

Almost one-third of the more than 170,000 students in Palm Beach County‘s public schools attend a choice program. Palm Beach County is expecting about 37,000 applications, up from 35,000 last year. More than 31,000 have already come in, Licata said.

In Broward, with two weeks left in the application period, the school district has already received 21,496 applications for choice programs; last year, 25,777 came in, spokeswoman Iviani Figueroa said.

Florida students can also apply for reassignment to any school, in any county, that has room. Last year, Broward schools received 11,602 applications from students interested