CCSD open enrollment deadlines approaching

Clark County students and families have until Tuesday, Jan. 13, to apply for open seats in schools outside their zone, including magnet programs and the Central Technical Training Academy for the 2026-27 school year. 

The Clark County School District (CCSD) offers students school choice options outside their zoned school to find their best fit—whether it’s simply attending a different school (open enrollment), finding a specialized program, or getting a head start on their future careers. 

“We know that, unfortunately, schools in low-income areas often find it more difficult to meet the needs of certain students,” said Selena Torres, a Nevada assemblywoman who is a teacher by profession and proposed the law that allows open enrollment.

“For me, it’s important that families are able to choose the school, because there are many schools in our communities—and sometimes schools nearby—that are a better fit for a family’s and a student’s needs. Sometimes they are farther away, but there are families who want that school to ensure their student has access to the best education,” Torres said.

Applications can be filed online through itsyourchoice.ccsd.net. Available seats are determined based on each school’s capacity; schools not shown do not have seats available. 

Schools select students through a lottery system. Families may apply to more than one school, but students may choose only one if accepted into multiple schools.

Families seeking open enrollment options must have their own transportation. For magnet schools, bus transportation is provided to students who live within the school’s zone.

One issue that open enrollment aims to address is families using a false address to enroll their student in a school outside their assigned zone, Torres said.

“That actually makes things difficult for the school, because when they need to communicate with the family, sometimes the student and family do not live at that address, and they are unable to make contact,” Torres explained.

Before the Nevada Legislature passed Assembly Bill 533 last year, students could only attend their zoned school unless they were accepted into a magnet or charter school.

“So open enrollment ensures that families use the address where they actually live,” Torres said. “It’s really better to have another option for families, for the system to work for them. That way, families don’t need to bend the rules to make sure their student can receive an education.”

Although CCSD’s application closes on Jan. 13, the district will reopen applications for any remaining seats on the Monday after spring break, which begins March 23.

For students in Washoe County, the open enrollment application period is from March 9 to March 20.