School Choice Program Will Let Students From Any Town Apply to Ocean City High School

Ocean City High School will be one of 56 new districts participating in a program that would let students from any town apply to attend school there at no cost to themselves.

Ocean City learned April 14 that it has been accepted into the Interdistrict School Choice Program signed into law by Gov. Chris Christie in September 2010. Fifteen other districts had already been designated.

"The program is designed to increase educational opportunities for students and their families by providing students with the option of attending a public school outside their district of residence without cost to their parents," according to a written release from the state Department of Education.

For Ocean City, the program provides an opportunity to attract new students and new revenue at a time of declining enrollment. The district will receive a commensurate increase in state aid for each out-of-district student it accepts.

For families interested in participating, deadlines to start the application process are just 10 days away.

• Parents or guardians must notify their home district of their intent to participate by May 2. (Click on the PDF icon above for a notification form or use the form on the school district website.)
• To see a brochure on Ocean City High School's choice program: Page 1, Page 2
• For a complete time line and parents' guide to the process, click on the PDF icons above.
• For more information on the program, visit the Department of Education website.

Ocean City schools are on spring break this week, and school officials are unavailable for comment.

The following chart of information provided by Business Administrator Tom Grossi shows the enrollment trend for the district over the past 10 years.