LOUISVILLE, Ky. — There are only a few more days for families whose kids attend Jefferson County Public Schools to apply for next year’s school choice option. School choice allows families in the district to choose which campus their students attend, something that has not been possible in 40 years.
The last day to submit an application for school choice is Friday, Dec. 16.
This change in district policy was introduced by JCPS Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio in March. The school board unanimously voted to implement it in June.
It’s a change that predominately affects the city’s West End, where students commonly are bussed to schools far away from where they live.
Pollio said in a news release after the change was passed, “This is a historic vote and a historic day for the children of Jefferson County. Students and families and, in particular, those who live in West Louisville have waited far too long for these changes that will have a dramatic impact on students’ sense of belonging, participation in school and extracurricular activities and, in turn, their academic achievement.”
For Lissette Vazquez, a mother of six school-aged kids, knowing her kids will be close by is one less thing she has to worry about.
“I wouldn’t know what to do if I had to drive 15 minutes away to take my kids to school,” Vasquez said.
The Vazquez family lives in the West End. Two of her kids, Sarah and Sebastian, are able to walk to nearby Academy @ Shawnee. It’s something possible thanks to a waiver Vazquez has received for the last few years. Now, families in a similar situation don’t have to jump through those extra hoops.
“I know for me, not having a job, I need to have my kids close to home. Sometimes they forget their lunch, or they have basketball practice or swimming, so I need it to be feasible for them close by so they can all do activities,” Vasquez said.
Vasquez adds not having to worry about a bus or car ride across town makes it easier for her kids to participate in extracurricular activities.
“Being that there is six kids, sometimes their busses might come five or 10 minutes away from each other so, you know, I can just drive them here real quick or there, they can walk to school from here so the scheduling is very convent,” Vasquez said.
The Academy @ Shawnee Principal Kim Rice says she hopes many families take advantage of the school choice option.
“We want to make sure that the students are proud of the school that they attend. We want to bring some excitement back to our sports, make sure that we have those rivals that existed so long ago, we want to bring all of that back and make it a sense of pride to be at Shawnee,” Rice said.
District staff encourages parents who still have questions or need help filling out an application to reach out to JCPS for assistance.