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Special Assignment Requests (SARs)

Learn about Special Assignment Requests

Parents can apply for options besides their child's zoned school or magnet programs. Special Assignment Requests (SARs) enable families to apply to schools outside their child's neighborhood (zoned) when space is available at another school. 

Watch our recorded event on YouTube, ‘A Guide to PCS Special Assignment Requests.' 

Learn what SAR means, how to apply, and how to decide if an SAR is the right choice for your family

How to Apply
  1. Sign into your Focus Parent Portal Account.
  2. Find your child's name in the left-side menu. 
  3. Click "<" next to your child's name to expand the menu.
  4. Select Late Special Assignment Request 2026-27.
  5. Choose your desired school and submit your request. 
Updated Wait List Numbers
  1. Sign into your Focus Parent Portal Account.
  2. Find your child's name in the left-side menu. 
  3. Click "<" next to your child's name to expand the menu.
  4. Select "Child Info"
Please note:
  • New to PCS? Complete the Online Application first.  Find it under "Forms" on the left-side menu.  Once finished you can follow the instructions above to apply.
  • Don't see your child's name in the menu? Your child must be linked to your account. You can link them at your school or by contacting Student Assignment at 727-588-6210 or StudentAssignment@pcsb.org. 
  • Returning students or FES scholarship students: Click "<" by your child's name.  Then select Forms Summary.  In the center panel, look for the Inactive Student Re-Enrollment Form under "Available Forms." Complete this form to update address, contact information and grade level. Once updated, you will be able to apply.

Special Assignment Waitlist Procedures

Special Assignment waitlists are maintained throughout the school year. Once the school year begins, waitlists are reviewed quarterly. School, grade‑level, and program capacity are evaluated prior to the start of each marking period.

Parents/guardians will be notified by email, in waitlist order, if space becomes available. Families will have four (4) business days to accept or decline the offer. If an offer is declined, the student will be removed from the waitlist and the next family will be contacted.

To minimize academic disruption, students who accept a seat will transition at the start of the new marking period.

Waitlist information is available in the Focus Parent Portal under Child Info and #OSC (School Choice Waitlist number).

Please note: Sibling priority is not guaranteed when seats are offered through the waitlist process.

Important dates for the 2026-27 School Year are listed below.

Summer 2026

Invitation Date Response Deadline Reservation Expires Start Date
May 18, 2026 May 22, 2026 June 11, 2026  Aug. 11, 2026
June 15, 2026 June 22, 2026 July 9, 2026  Aug. 11, 2026

 

 2026-27 School Year

Invitation Date Response Deadline Reservation Expires Start Date
Q1: July 13, 2026   July 20, 2026 Aug. 10. 2026 Aug. 11, 2026

Q2: Sept. 30, 2026 

  Oct. 6, 2026 Oct. 20, 2026 Oct. 13, 2026
Q3: Dec. 9, 2026  Dec. 15, 2026 Jan. 12, 2027 Jan. 5, 2027
Q4: Mar. 3, 2027  Mar. 9, 2027 Mar. 29, 2027 Mar. 22, 2027

 

Important Information:

  • SARs cannot be submitted for District Application Programs or Educational Alternative Services as these have separate application processes.

  • All SARs are granted based on available space using functional capacity.  Functional Capacity

  • Kindergarten SARs are processed last.  This helps us better assess available space.

Transportation

Bus transportation is not provided for students on a Special Assignment. Families must arrange safe, on-time transportation.

Duration

If granted, a SAR is valid through the school’s highest grade level, as long as:

  • The school has capacity.

  • All zoned students can still attend.

 Communication

  • Families granted a SAR will be notified by email (based on the email listed in the application).

  • Families not granted a SAR are automatically placed on a wait list.

  • You will be contacted only if a seat becomes available. 

If requests exceed available seats, a wait list will be created in the order applications are received. For more information, see our Student Assignment Policy.

 

For assistance, contact Student Assignment at 727-588-6210 or StudentAssignment@pcsb.org