- Downes Elementary School
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Enrollment & School Choice
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Enrollment & School Choice
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Discover Downes Elementary School, home of the Sharks!
We foster a nurturing community focused on developing the whole child—academically, emotionally, and socially. Join our Shark family today and help your child thrive! Explore enrollment information now!
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We’re thrilled that you’ve chosen Downes Elementary School for your child! We want to make the enrollment process as simple and straightforward as possible for you. To make sure you’re registering for the right school, just click on “Find Your Assigned School.” If you already know that Downes is the place for your student, you can get started with the enrollment process right away by clicking “Enroll/Register Online” below. You’re also welcome to register in person at the school. We’re here to help every step of the way!
How to Register
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1. Identify Your School
- Use the online School Locator Search to locate your assigned school district and local elementary, middle or high school.
- Even if you decide to participate in the School Choice program, you will need to register with your assigned school first.
- Use the online School Locator Search to locate your assigned school district and local elementary, middle or high school.
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2. Gather Required Documents
Important Notice: Registration Document Requirements
To help expedite the completion of your Online Registration, please ensure all required registration documents are ready to upload during the online registration process. These documents include:
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- Birth Certificate
- Proof of Residency
- Legal Photo ID
- Current Immunization Records
- TB Screening
- Lead Screening (for Kindergarten only)
- Physical Exam
- IEP/504 Plan (if applicable)
- Most recent report card (if applicable)
It is essential to upload these documents at the time of registration, as you will not have the opportunity to log in at a later time to add them. Failure to provide the necessary documents during registration will require you to make alternative arrangements with the school to submit them.
Additional forms and information may be required for registration.
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3. Register Online or In-Person
Once you have all your documents from Step 2, complete your registration online or visit the school you identified in Step 1 to register.
In-person registration is by appointment only.
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Find Your Assigned School
A student's street address determines the schools that he or she will attend unless the student has exercised Choice. Every residential address has an attendance zone, which assigns students to an Elementary School (Grades K-5), Middle School (Grades 6-8) and High School (Grades 9-12).
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Enroll / Register Online
2024-2025 School Year
2025-2026 School Year
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Applying for School Choice is Easy!
Delaware’s school choice program allows families living in Delaware to apply to enroll their children in any Delaware public school district, charter school or vocational-technical school, regardless of their home address. Applying for School Choice is easy, and we're here to help guide you through the process. Here you'll find requirements, deadlines, and information about our schools and programs.With 30+ schools and programs, there’s a place for everyone at Christina!
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About School Choice / Enrollment Period
About School Choice
School Choice is designed to increase access to educational opportunities for all children in the state, regardless of where they live.
A parent/legal guardian residing within Delaware may apply to enroll their child in a public school in any school district, charter school, magnet school, or vocational-technical school, regardless of the student’s area of residence.
Any student not currently registered in a public school in the State of Delaware must be registered in their school of residence before submitting a Delaware Standard Application for Educational Options (Choice application).
Enrollment Period
A parent/legal guardian may apply to enroll their child in a school or program by submitting an application on the standard form provided by the Department of Education, on or after the first Monday in November and on or before the second Wednesday in January for enrollment in the following school year, except the parent/legal guardian may apply until the first day of the new school year for enrollment into a kindergarten program.
If a parent/legal guardian is filing an application after the State deadline, and good cause exists for the failure to meet the deadline, the parent/legal guardian can submit an application for review with supporting documentation, as stated in Title 14, c4, §402.
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How to participate in School Choice
How to Participate in School Choice
- Step 1 – Register student in the school of residence – A school of residence is the school a student attends based on home address.
- Step 2 – Visit school websites, meetings – Parents interested in applying to schools through school choice should plan to visit to learn more about available programs, upcoming informational meetings and application requirements.
- Step 3 – Complete the standard application form – Any family seeking to choice a student into another school must complete a standard application form during the school choice application window.
- Step 4 – Choice selection – After the choice window closes, schools process applications based on state and local policy. Some schools may use lotteries. Districts and charter schools are required to follow the state’s policy for accepting school choice students. Families will be notified of their application status (approvals/disapprovals) no later than the last day of February.
How to End School Choice Participation
- A student accepted for school choice will remain enrolled in the choice school until graduation from the school building, the span of a program, or at the parent's request. To end enrollment at a choice school and return to a student’s school of residence, families must complete a school choice termination form (English, Spanish).
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Transporation
Transportation
Any parent/legal guardian choosing to send their child to a school other than their school of residence shall be responsible for transporting their child, without reimbursement, to/from the Choice school or the nearest regular bus stop serving the Choice school, if space is available.
Please contact Transportation Services at 302-454-2281 to find the nearest choice bus stop location.
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Athletics
Athletics
The rules of the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA) shall be followed with regard to the eligibility of transferring students. For a copy of the DIAA handbook, please visit the DIAA website or call 302-857-3365.
