The 2017-2018 Main Round application window is now open! All students applying to attend a New Orleans Public School or publicly-funded early childhood program for the first time next year, or to transfer schools for the upcoming year, should apply during the Main Round.

What do I need to know before I apply?

  • If you do not have a placement for the upcoming school year, will be transitioning to a new school (for example, to high school), or know for sure you would like to transfer, you should submit a OneApp.
  • You should not submit an application if you would like your child to remain at his / her current school or early childhood program. If you submit an application and your child receives a placement, your child will lose their current school placement.
  • All Main Round applications will be processed at the same time, including applications to schools with academic entrance requirements. There is no advantage given to students who applied to schools without academic entrance requirements during the Early Window.
  • The deadline for almost all OneApp schools is February 24, 2017. If you would like to apply to a school with academic entrance requirements, you must submit your application by the Early Window Deadline, which is December 16, 2016.
  • Families applying to early childhood programs must also verify their eligibility after submitting their application. Verification can be completed at a Family Resource Center or designated Head Start Center.

How does the process work?

Placements are made based on each parent’s ranked list of school choices, the number of seats offered at each school in each grade level, each school’s priorities, and each student’s random lottery number and priority to their selected schools.

  1. Applicants are first given a random lottery number. Applicants are then grouped by the priorities of the schools they listed on the application.
  2. School priority groups can include things like siblings of students continuing at the school, and/or residence within the school’s geographic zone. Applicants in priority groups will be considered first if there are more applicants than available seats.
  3. Applicants in priority groups are placed first, in order of their lottery number. Then, all other applicants are placed by their lottery number, until all seats are full. There are no waitlists.

There is no situation where an applicant is guaranteed placement at a specific school, even if they are in a priority group.

If you already attend a OneApp school, submit an application, and are assigned to one of the schools you list on your application, you will lose your current school placement. It is therefore very important that families only list choices that they prefer more than their current school. In submitting an application, you consent to give up your current school spot if you are placed at one of your choices.

When will I be notified of my child’s placement?

Results will be available the week of April 10, 2017 at Family Resource Centers and in the online parent application portal. Applicants who apply online will be notified by email once results are available; applicants who submit a paper application will receive a notification letter at the address listed on the application. If your contact information changes between now and April, please contact a Family Resource Center to provide up-to-date information. Please note: to apply online, you will need a working email address. If you need assistance setting up an email account, please visit a Family Resource Center, or see our guidance on EnrollNOLA.org.

What happens after I receive my placement?

Once you receive your Main Round placement results, you must claim your child’s seat by May 12, 2017. If you are not satisfied with your child’s Main Round placement, you may submit a Round 2 OneApp, available in the Spring of 2017. You are strongly encouraged to claim your Main Round placement, even if you intend to submit a Round 2 application. Claiming your Main Round placement will not impact your ability to participate in Round 2.

Ready to apply? Click on the logo below to submit your OneApp!

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