The Public School Choice Act of 2015
Ark. Code Ann. § 6-18-1903
A public school choice program is established to enable a student in kindergarten through grade twelve (12) to attend a school in a nonresident district, subject to the limitations under Ark. Code Ann. § 6-18-1906 and the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) Rules Governing The Public School Choice Act of 2015.

Resident/Non-Resident
§ 6-18-1902

• “Resident District” means the school district in which the student resides as determined by § 6-18-202.

  • “Resides” means to be physically present and to maintain a permanent place of abode for an average of no less than four (4) calendar days and nights per week for a primary purpose other than school attendance.

• “Nonresident district” means a school district other than a student’s resident district.

Parents/guardians can complete a school choice application at home or the PCSSD Central Office (located at 925 E. Dixon Road). When filling out the application, please indicate what grade your child will be in for the upcoming school year (2024-2025). Please list your full address and phone number on the application. Please click here to fill out the application and email your completed application to Chanda Swinson at cswinson@pcssd.org.

Application for Transfer
Applications must be submitted no later than May 1st to begin in the fall semester.

Accepting or Rejecting Applications
By July 1 the nonresident district shall notify the parent and the resident district in writing that the applicant was accepted or rejected

For information regarding School Choice within PCSSD, please contact:
Chanda Swinson
Office of Equity and Pupil Services
Phone: (501) 234-2021
Email: cswinson@pcssd.org

For information regarding the Public School Choice Act of 2015, please contact:
Andres Rhodes
Arkansas Department of Education
Office of Legal Services
Phone:  501-682-4234
Email:  Andres.Rhodes@ade.arkansas.gov

National School Choice Week is a not-for-profit, charitable effort to raise awareness of effective K–12 education options for children. This organization focus equally on traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, private schools, online schools, and homeschools.

What is school choice?
School choice is the process of allowing every family to choose the K-12 educational options that best fit their children. Every child is unique, and all children learn differently.