Admissions
Rochester School Choice Admissions Process
Students currently in grades 6 or 8 are eligible to select the schools they most want to attend next year by ranking them according to preference. This ranking is done using the application. If you have other questions, or to get a copy of the application, call the Student Affairs & Placement Office at (585) 262-8277.
When you submit your completed application, it is entered into a computerized placement system that ensures all students fair and equal access to available seats.
Here's how it works:
- The computer maintains a database of available seats in all schools.
- The computer assigns each application a number at random. (No preference is given to applications submitted early—numbers are not assigned until after the application deadline.)
- Beginning with the highest numbered application and working downward, students are placed in their first-choice schools until available seats in those schools are filled.
- Applicants with siblings attending their first-choice schools are given preference for those schools.
- Students not placed in their first-choice schools are placed in their second-choice schools until available seats in those schools are filled. (For example, if 200 students list School A as their first choice, and School A has only 150 available seats, the 50 students who are not placed at School A will be placed in their second-choice schools until available seats in those schools are filled.)
- This process continues until all students have been placed. Through this process, every student is placed in the school as close as possible to the top of his or her list of choices.
- If you are not placed in one of your top five choices, the District will work directly with you to find the school that best meets your needs and interests ,which has seats available. In addition, you will be placed on a waiting list for your first-choice school and will be notified if a space becomes available. The waiting list is active until mid-August.
