School Choice Basics For Wellington Moves

Are schools at the top of your list as you plan a move to Wellington? Choosing the right home often starts with understanding how Palm Beach County assigns schools and what choice options you have. This guide breaks down zoning, Choice programs, Controlled Open Enrollment, charters, private options, key deadlines, and the documents you will need. You will walk away with a simple plan to align your school options with your home search. Let’s dive in.

How school assignment works in Wellington

Every Wellington address is assigned to a zoned school based on your home’s location. You can review official letter grades for Wellington-area schools on the district’s School Grades page to understand performance at a glance. Many Wellington schools are listed as A-rated on the district site. See official grades and the full school list on the district’s School Grades page.

In Palm Beach County, you usually follow one of two tracks: attend your zoned school or apply for a Choice pathway. Choice pathways include magnet and themed programs, Controlled Open Enrollment, and charter or private options. The district’s overview explains how each pathway works and when to apply. Explore the district’s School Choice overview for details.

Your school choice pathways

District Choice programs

District Choice and in-house programs offer themes like IB, Dual Language, Arts, STEM, Cambridge/AICE, Montessori, and career academies. Most programs use a lottery, and some arts or specialty programs may require auditions. You apply online during published windows, and results are issued after the lottery. Review program steps and timelines in the district’s application and audition process.

Controlled Open Enrollment

Controlled Open Enrollment lets you apply for schools outside your attendance zone when seats are available. Not every school accepts COE applications, and transportation is not provided for COE placements. COE runs on specific timelines with a lottery. Learn how it works and which schools participate on the district’s Controlled Open Enrollment page.

Charter schools

Charter schools operate with their own applications and lotteries and are open to county residents. Several charter options serve Wellington families, and enrollment depends on capacity at each campus. Check each school directly for current application windows and waitlists.

Private schools and scholarships

Families who prefer private schools have local options in and near Wellington. Florida’s Family Empowerment Scholarship can help eligible families afford private schools. See the district’s summary and links to approved Scholarship Funding Organizations on the Family Empowerment Scholarship program page.

Unique Abilities options

Students with IEPs or qualifying diagnoses may access the Family Empowerment Scholarship - Unique Abilities. This can include a public school placement outside your zone or an Education Savings Account for private options. Public-option requests follow set deadlines, commonly around June 1 and October 31. See eligibility and timing on the district’s FES-UA information page.

Plan your move with schools in mind

Before you buy or sign a lease

Confirm the attendance zone for any property early in your search, since zoning determines your default school and commute. If a specific Choice program is important, check capacity and application windows before you go under contract. The district hosts a Showcase of Schools and publishes a Choice Booklet each year with dates and program details. Watch for current dates on the district’s School Choice overview.

Registration checklist

New students in Palm Beach County typically need these items to enroll:

• Proof of age, such as a birth certificate.
• Florida Certification of Immunization, Form DH 680.
• School-entry physical, Form DH 3040, when required.
• Proof of residence, such as a lease, deed, or utility bill.
• Any guardianship or custody documents, if applicable.

Get the current checklist and contact info on the district’s Welcome Center page, and see health requirements for forms and local resources on the School Entry Health Requirements page.

Records and IEPs

If you are transferring from another district or state, request official transcripts and records from your previous school. IEP and ESOL records may need coordinator-to-coordinator communication, so start early. For official transcripts and inactive records, follow the district’s Records Management instructions.

Transportation

Zoned schools generally include bus service if you meet route and eligibility rules. COE placements do not include district transportation, and Choice program transportation varies by program and location. Plan the commute if you select a non-zoned option. COE transportation details are listed on the COE page.

Key timelines

The Choice cycle typically runs in this order: Showcase and open houses, application window, lottery results, then registration. COE and FES-UA public-option windows have their own deadlines. Always verify the current year’s dates on the district’s School Choice overview.

Wellington school snapshot

Here are public schools that commonly serve Wellington addresses:

• Elementary: Wellington, Equestrian Trails, Binks Forest, New Horizons, Panther Run, Elbridge Gale.
• Middle: Wellington Landings, Emerald Cove, Polo Park.
• High: Wellington Community High and Palm Beach Central High.

You can confirm official letter grades and see the countywide list on the district’s School Grades page. Charter and private options also serve local families; application steps and capacity vary by campus.

Tips to align school choice with your home search

• Map your daily commute to each school you are considering before making an offer.
• If a specific Choice or charter program is a must-have, apply early and keep a backup plan.
• Confirm whether transportation is included for any non-zoned option you pursue.
• Track deadlines for Choice, COE, and scholarships alongside your home-closing timeline.
• Keep digital copies of enrollment documents so you can register quickly after you move.

We are here to help

Finding the right home and the right school should feel clear, not complicated. Our local team helps you weigh zoning, Choice timelines, and commute tradeoffs while we negotiate your home purchase or sale. We are bilingual in English and Spanish, and we also support new-construction buyers with incentives that can include up to $10,000 back on qualified builds. When you are ready, reach out to the Elite Home Team for friendly, expert guidance.

FAQs

How does school zoning work in Wellington?

• Every address is assigned to a zoned school by the district. You can review official letter grades and the full list of schools on the district’s School Grades page.

What is the difference between Choice programs and COE?

• Choice programs are themed and lottery-based, sometimes with auditions, while COE lets you apply to attend a non-zoned school with open seats. See the district’s School Choice overview and COE page.

Do Choice or COE seats include bus transportation?

• COE placements do not include district transportation, and Choice program transportation depends on the program and location. Check details on the COE page.

What documents do I need to register my child?

• Bring proof of age, DH 680 immunizations, proof of residence, and DH 3040 physical when required, plus any custody documents. See the district’s Welcome Center checklist and School Entry Health Requirements.

How do I transfer transcripts and IEPs to Palm Beach County?

• Request official records from your prior school and follow district steps for inactive or recent records. For IEPs, coordinate early with program staff. Start with the district’s Records Management page.

Where can I learn about private school scholarships in Florida?

• Florida’s Family Empowerment Scholarship programs support eligible families, including the Unique Abilities option. Review eligibility and steps on the district’s Family Empowerment Scholarship program page.