CCS Admissions: The Basics of Enrollment

If—like me—you grew up in a school district where you just went to the elementary school that was closest to your house, which fed into the middle school that was closest to your house, which fed into the single high school in town, the idea of having to “apply” to public schools feels daunting, to say the least. “School choice” may be a buzzword in education—but the many options can also lead to overwhelm. Even limiting the choices to just Columbus City Schools, it’s easy to get decision fatigue. Today we’re going to break down the terms you might hear and the dates you need to know, and share resources for you to do additional research.

We’ll add the caveat that there are many nuances not covered here; this list is meant as a starting point, and the best information will come from school visits and talking to CCS enrollment staff. We’re also opening up the comments section on this story's webpage for you to ask questions and add your own advice for other families (EdInk newsletter subscription required to comment). And a final pro-tip: what’s right for other families may not be right for yours, so trust your gut. Often what feels like the simplest option really is the best one. 

We’re new to the district. Where do we start? 

Start on the CCS enrollment page and review the requirements. You’ll need documentation verifying your child’s age, address, and immunization records (the complete list of requirements is here). When you’re ready, you'll fill out an online registration form called "Speedy Pass" (linked in step 3 on the enrollment page). A CCS enrollment specialist will follow up with you to confirm your school placement and provide access to the Parent Portal, where you can apply for other district schools.  

What are the options?

Attend school of address. Your neighborhood school, assigned based on your address, is likely where your child will be enrolled (though if a building is overcrowded, students may be assigned elsewhere, so there’s an advantage to registering early). Attending neighborhood schools throughout your child’s K–12 education is what CCS calls following a student’s “academic pathway” or “feeder pattern.” More on those pathways for each neighborhood is here. 

Apply for other schools across the district. If you prefer not to have your child attend your assigned neighborhood school, you can:

• Enroll in another school through the lottery process. These can be other neighborhood schools, or lottery-only schools—which means every child who attends must do so through the lottery.   
• If your child is invited, they can apply to a selective admissions school, which often have unique themes or focuses. (Note that some schools like Columbus Gifted Academy will invite eligible students to apply later in the spring and not through the selective admissions process.)

You can learn more about every school you’re considering by watching a video profile. Families applying to elementary school can also ask questions at the virtual school choice fair on February 13 at 6 p.m. 

When do we need to apply?

That varies by your child’s age and the type of school they plan to attend. The selective admissions deadline is coming up first on January 31. Online registration for all CCS schools—including Pre-K programs, opened January 3. And while there’s no deadline listed (people move into the district throughout the spring and summer, after all), if you plan to enter the lottery, you’ll need to be enrolled in time to complete the application by the deadline. Middle and high school lottery applications need to be in by February 29 and elementary lottery applications are accepted February 1 – March 29. Late lottery applications are accepted for all grades, but after those deadlines, applicants will be added to the bottom of the waiting list at each school. For the complete list of the programs offered and their deadlines, check here. 

What if my kid has special needs? 

Different schools within CCS offer different accommodations. Look at the “locations” section of this page to see services offered at each school. 

What if my child is gifted? 

For an overview of testing timelines and schools with gifted services, visit the CCS Gifted and Talented page. The window to request subject-area gifted assessments is open through March 1, and you can request testing by filling out this form.

What about latchkey?

If latchkey is a factor in the school you select, this page lists all of the elementary schools with programs. New families can begin enrolling on May 15 at 7 a.m., and you will want to sign up right away. Some schools also have partnerships with nearby childcare facilities that offer after care and transportation; check with the school or current parents to learn more.

How do we get more information?

Reach out to the district! The email for Central Enrollment is centralenrollment@columbus.k12.oh.us and the phone number is 614-365-4011. You can also try the enrollment FACTLine at FACTLine@columbus.k12.oh.us or 614-221-3228. The CCS Division of School Choice can be reached at schoolchoice@columbus.k12.oh.us or 614-365-7459. (One parent told us that emails are answered faster than phone calls, so you might try that first.) There’s also a very in-depth FAQ page here.  

Good luck, families! I wish all of you a school placement where your child is learning and thriving. If you found this information helpful, please share it with a friend. And when you have a minute, tell us how it went!

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