Controlled Open Enrollment (COE)

General Application Information

Controlled Open Enrollment (COE) applications are only available during an open enrollment period. The 2025-2026 enrollment periods are listed at the bottom of this page. When available, applications can be accessed by visiting, https://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/coe/controlled-open-enrollment-applications-25-26/ . Additionally, paper copies of the application are also available at the SJCSD Yates Building, located at 47 Orange Street St. Augustine, FL 32084.

Only one application is required for each student applying regardless of the number of schools selected. (There is no maximum)

For purposes of educational continuity, all students enrolled through controlled open enrollment are permitted to remain at their awarded school until the highest grade level has been completed. After completion, students must return to their home zoned school or apply for a new controlled open enrollment seat, thus beginning the process again.

Students who are subject to a current expulsion, suspension, excessive behavior infractions or poor attendance, will not be considered for a controlled open enrollment seat.

 Lottery Process and Selection

Applications for controlled open enrollment will only be accepted during an open application period. Once the period has closed, all applications are randomly selected using a number system. Available seats will be assigned to applicants, starting at number one for each school requested, and ending at the total number of available seats.

A separate lottery is run simultaneously for both in-county residents as well as out-of-county residents. Applications are numbered separately, and in-county residents have priority. As a result, out-of-county applications are only considered if seats remain after the in-county resident lottery is completed.

Awarded seats are communicated through e-mail using the address provided on the application. Once you are notified of a lottery seat, the parent/guardian must accept the seat by responding to the Guidance and Choice e-mail within 10 working days. If no response is received after 10 working days, the seat will be considered declined.

It is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to enroll the awarded student in the specified school prior to the designated start date as listed below.

If a student receives a lottery selection for more than one school, the parent/guardian must select one school and decline the other. If seats re-open due to a declined selection, the student with the next number in the lottery will be notified and offered the seat. A waitlist will be maintained between application windows; however, a new application must be completed at the start of each new window, as they do not carry over.

There is no appeal process for controlled open enrollment.

Preferential Treatment

Per Florida State Statute 1002.31(c), the following situations qualify for preferential treatment:

1. Students residing within St. Johns County. 
2. Dependent children of active-duty military personnel whose move resulted from military orders.
3. Children who have been relocated due to a foster care placement in a different school zone.
4. Children who have been moved due to a court-ordered change in custody, which was the result of a separation or divorce, or the serious illness or death of a custodial parent.
5. Siblings: A parent may declare their school preference for an applicant in an effort to place siblings at the same school. There are two forms of sibling preference for an applicant:
   • • •  The sibling of the applicant is currently enrolled and attending the requested school, through controlled open enrollment (COE).
       •  The applicant has a sibling with a separate controlled open enrollment application for the same cycle.

 An additional SJCSD preferential consideration includes siblings. Siblings are defined as a brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, stepbrother or stepsister, living in the same household. Verification of residency will be required.

Please note that preferential sibling requests are still prioritized based on in-county and out-of-county residents.

If household siblings apply and one sibling is selected, the other will have priority to attend the same school. However, if a grade level seat is not available for the second (or any thereafter) sibling, both (all) siblings will be placed on the sibling wait list. (This only applies during window 1 and 2)

If siblings cannot be placed at the same school, a hardship request may be submitted through the School Services Department, for in-county residents only.

Availability of Transportation

School district transportation is not available for any controlled open enrollment student. Transportation must be arranged and provided by the parent/guardian. Families may be eligible for a transportation scholarship to help offset the financial commitment of transporting a child/children to another school. Transportation stipend information can be accessed at:  https://www.stepupforstudents.org/scholarships/transportation/

Student Athlete Transfers   (Applies to middle school student athletes)

Student athletes who transfer to another school must comply with the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) rules of athletic eligibility. In order to be eligible to participate in interscholastic athletics and interscholastic extracurricular activities, the following applies.

A student participating in controlled open enrollment (COE) or a program of interest, is immediately eligible upon enrollment to participate in interscholastic athletics and interscholastic extracurricular activities, provided they meet the minimum academic criteria AND that they were not immediately participating at a previous school unless one of the following applies:

1. Dependent children of active-duty military personnel whose move resulted from military orders.
2.  Children who have been relocated due to a foster care placement in a different school zone.
3. Children who have moved due to a court ordered change in custody, due to separation or divorce, or serious illness or death of a custodial parent.
4. Good cause for participation exists under district or charter school policy.

A student who has not started a sport may seek to immediately join an existing team if the roster for the specific interscholastic team or interscholastic extracurricular activity has not yet reached the identified maximum size. In addition, the head coach or school athletic director may determine that the student has the requisite skills and ability to participate.

Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Transfers

Students who have been identified as a student with a disability and who have an active IEP, may not be eligible for a Controlled Open Enrollment (COE) transfer, if the student’s IEP cannot be implemented as written at the requested school. Please call the Guidance and Choice Office with specific questions

Voluntary Return to Assigned School or District

Upon request, a student shall be permitted to return to their home zoned school at anytime; however, it is recommended that the student return at the end of a marking period or semester, unless extenuating circumstances arise.

Rescinding of Placement

Controlled Open Enrollment placement may be rescinded if:

• Incorrect or false information was provided on the application.
• Attendance, tardiness or discipline/behavior problems develop at the awarded school.

Class Size Compliance

Availability of seats at a school designated as having capacity under the controlled open enrollment process, is subject to the maximum class size pursuant to Florida Statute 1003.03 and Section 1, Article IX of the State Constitution.

Extension of Application Window for Military 

Applications for dependent children of active-duty military personnel whose move resulted from military orders may continue to be filed after the application deadline if seats remain unfilled for the school year.