Frequently Asked Questions
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Who can apply for Gold Seal?
Any student in Pre-K-9th grade that lives inside or outside of the boundaries of FWISD may APPLY for a Gold Seal Program or a School of Choice.
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What do I need to do to begin the online application?
You will need a working email address, the student's date of birth, and FWISD ID#. The Choices Application can be accessed at fwisd.org/choices.
The email address should be a family email address that is checked regularly. It cannot be a student’s FWISD email address (stu.org) email address assigned to them by the district. -
May we apply if we live in another school district?
You may apply; however, all Fort Worth ISD applicants will be given the opportunity to fill the spots first. Students currently not enrolled in a FWISD school will have the option to complete an on-line application. Out of district applicants will need a working email address and then will follow the instructions that appear under the ID#/Birthdate page of the online application.
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Where will my child go if not selected during the lottery?
They will report to their home school.
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When will the application process begin and end?
The applications will be available online from November 4 – January 6, 2023 at 11:59 pm.
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Will transportation be provided?
Yes, transportation will be provided for in-district students if the program is not offered at the home school. Families must complete and submit a Transportation Request Form provided at the POC/SOC registration. A centralized stop location will be considered for all students outside the two-mile radius of the current stop.
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What if I need help with the application?
Email the campus contact provided in the Choices Catalog. For high schools contact the Postsecondary Success Specialist and for Elementary and Middle Schools contact the staff member identified in the catalog.
Call the school of interest
Email or call your current campus counselor
Use the Let’s Talk link
Application Questions
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Where can I get a Choice application?
The online application can be accessed on the District website. All you need to start the process is a working email address, the student's date of birth, and FWISD ID#.
The email address should be a family email address that is checked regularly. It cannot be a student’s FWISD email address (stu.org) email address assigned to them by the district.
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What is my child’s local ID#?
This is a number used to track student information. It is located on your child’s report card. You can also ask your child, this is also known as their “lunch number”. Kindergartners will not have this available unless they have been enrolled in a Fort Worth ISD Pre-Kindergarten but will be assigned the number upon enrollment. *Students currently not enrolled in a FWISD school will have the option to complete an on-line application. Follow the instructions that appear under the ID#/Birthdate page of the online application.
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Why is the online application not allowing me to proceed if the physical address is blank?
The Choice online application uses the physical address to establish residency in the District. In the case where there is no home address information or the physical address is incorrect in the student system, the parent must submit verification of address to the student’s current campus data clerk. The online Application already displays the following message when the home address is blank: “If the home or mailing address is not correct or blank, please go to your child's school and ensure the campus staff updates your information.” This symbol indicates fields that are required.
Do not go to the next page of the application until the correct address appears for Physical Address. Once the application is completed, the address cannot be changed.
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Where do I need to update my address information?
In the case where there is no home address information in the Choice online application, the data clerk at the school will need to make sure the home address is selected as the physical address in Focus, the student information system. Please be prepared to show proof of residence. The Choice Programming office cannot make address changes.
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I made the address change at the school. How long do I need to wait to apply online?
Follow up with the campus to verify the address change has been made. It may take 2-3 days.
Do not go to the next page of the application until the correct address appears for Physical Address. Once the application is completed, the address cannot be changed.
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Once I submit the online application, what should I do with the confirmation number?
Please either print the confirmation page or write the confirmation number down and keep for your records.
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Can I make changes to the online application after it's submitted?
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Will a certain Internet browser be required to submit an online application?
It may be helpful to have the latest versions of Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, or Safari. Also, you may need to download the latest version of Acrobat Reader.
Elementary & Middle School Questions
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Is there a Program of Choice for Pre-Kindergarten students?
No, please call the Early Childhood office at 817-814-2450 to receive information about schools that offer Pre-Kindergarten.
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How old does my child need to be to enter kindergarten?
Your child must turn 5 on or before September 1, 2021
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If my child has never been in Fort Worth ISD before, may I still apply online?
Yes, there are instructions on the information page of the Choices application for applicants who do not have a Fort Worth ISD student ID#
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My child didn’t attend Pre-Kindergarten, so they don’t have a report card. May we still apply?
Yes, you may. A report card is not required for entry into kindergarten.
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If a sibling is already attending my first choice school selection, is my child automatically in?
They will not automatically be accepted, but the sibling will be given preference if the other child is enrolled at the school they are applying for, and will be attending the school concurrently and if there is an open spot. If there are other applicants who fall into this category, a lottery will be run for all sibling situations.
A separate application must be filled out for the sibling and the parent must complete the Sibling section of the Choices application and submit by the deadline.
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If I am an employee of the district, will my child automatically be accepted to their first choice?
They will not automatically be accepted. Employees living within FWISD boundary receive preference in the lottery after neighborhood applicants (if 1st choice is a comprehensive campus) and in-district siblings. If space is available in the program, all children of FWISD boundary employees are placed by the lottery system. The application must be submitted by the deadline.
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If my child attends an elementary Applied Learning Center, will they automatically be assigned?
They will receive preference in placement as long as they submit the application for ALA on time and it is their first choice.
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How many programs can I apply for?
A student may apply for no more than three programs. Selections need to be marked in numerical order of preference.
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What must be completed to be eligible for a School of Choice?
Only an online application must be submitted by the deadline with the exception of Young Women's Leadership Academy and I. M. Terrell Academy for VPA.
High School Questions
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What must be completed to be eligible for a Choice program or school?
Only online application must be submitted by the deadline with the exception of the following schools, which require additional steps:
-Arlington Heights High School- Dance : Audition
-Young Women’s Leadership Academy : Contact the campus
-I.M. Terrell Academy: VPA: Audition/ Art Portfolio, VPA Information SheetAll Auditions will be scheduled by the parent through the profile page after the December 12, 2021 deadline.
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How many programs can I apply for?
A student may apply for no more than three programs. Selections need to be marked in numerical order of preference.
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Does every ninth grader need to apply for Gold Seal Programs of Choice?
If you are interested in in participating in one of the Gold Seal Programs of Choice and are an incoming 9th grader, you must apply. Even if you live in the attendance zone for the school where the program is located, you must apply or your space will be filled by other applicants. All Gold Seal Programs and Schools of Choice students are assigned through the Choices application and lottery system.
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Can my 10th grader apply for a program or a school of choice?
No. Unfortunately, students that are currently in 10th grade cannot apply for a Gold Seal Program or a School of Choice. Students that will be 11th graders when they are ready to enter the program will not have the ability to complete the trajectories that have been created for the programs. They cannot complete the possible associate degree or the certifications.