Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for an SAS site?
You may complete the application online at GoTo.LAUSD.net or the Choices brochure contains the application for SAS sites and is available October 2, 2023. The application and verification forms, if applicable, are due November 17, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. Please note that if your school of residence has the SAS designation, you do not apply for SAS participation through the Choices process. Students residing within the boundaries of a designated SAS school who meet the eligibility criteria must be placed in the site’s SAS gifted/talented program (unless a parent has opted out). No formal application is required for a qualified student who resides within the school’s boundaries. Your child’s eligibility will be verified at the SAS site through District records and articulation with the sending school. If you have questions, contact the school directly. If the SAS site is an Affiliated Charter, in a Zone of Choice (ZOC) or is an Admission Criteria School, see the corresponding FAQ for application information.How is my child verified as eligible to apply to SAS?
For an applicant to be eligible for SAS, the student must be verified as meeting one of the criteria outlined in the Choices brochure (pages 7-8) prior to November 15, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.LAUSD Applicants (Currently Enrolled in an LAUSD School):
Although L.A. Unified applicants must meet the required program-specific criteria outlined in the Choices brochure, a Verification of Eligibility (Grades 1-12) form is NOT required for applicants (grades K-12) currently enrolled in an L.A. Unified school. Upon receipt of an application, the District will automatically verify eligibility through a District verification process in January.
Private School, Independent Charter and Non-LAUSD Applicants:
The parents/guardians of private school, independent charter, and non-LAUSD students who are applying to Schools for Advanced Studies must follow the procedures outlined on the eChoices website and in the Choices brochure and verify that the student’s current school of attendance has submitted the required verification form by November 15, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.:
For an applicant, previously identified as gifted/highly gifted by an LAUSD designated GATE psychologist, who is currently attending a private school, independent charter, or non-LAUSD school, the parent must submit a Verification of Eligibility form to ensure that the applicant is included in the District database.
Verification of Eligibility forms are available to download on the eChoices website (select SAS and Who is Eligible?) or by emailing a request to [email protected]. The Verification of Eligibility form must be submitted in addition to a Choices application. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to ensure that the completed Verification of Eligibility form is submitted by the school of attendance prior to the deadline.
Verification of Eligibility forms are available to download on the eChoices website (select SAS and Who is Eligible?) or by emailing a request to [email protected]. The Verification of Eligibility form must be submitted in addition to a Choices application. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to ensure that the completed Verification of Eligibility form is submitted by the school of attendance prior to the deadline.
Can I apply to more than one SAS site?
Students may apply for up to three SAS sites. If the applicant is selected to their first choice, choice two and three are not considered. If the applicant is selected into any program of their choice, the student will not be placed on any waiting list. If there is no space available in any of their choices, the student will be placed on the waiting list for their first choice only.
May I fax my application?
No. All applications are to be sent via U. S. mail or submitted online. Online submission is encouraged, if applicable, since online applicants will receive confirmation and notification letters via email. LAUSD cannot be held responsible for lost applications or verification forms.What happens if I miss the on-time application deadline?
Parents/guardians may submit late applications beginning February 1, 2025. Late applicants will be placed on the school’s waiting list after on-time applicants. If space becomes available, the school will contact you directly. The late application does not guarantee placement at the school site. The late Verification of Eligibility form, if applicable, should be submitted directly to the SAS site if/when the parent/guardian is contacted about an available seat. (Do not submit Verification of Eligibility forms for late applicants to Unified Enrollment.)How are students accepted into SAS?
Once eligibility is verified, applicants are randomly selected through a fair and unbiased process to attend SAS sites. The number of students selected is based on the number of available spaces at a particular school (students who reside within the school’s boundaries MUST be accommodated first). The number of available seats varies by school and grade level. Some SAS designated sites are able to accommodate all applicants, while others have limited space available for students who reside outside the school’s residential boundaries.If spaces are available – after accommodating all students who meet eligibility criteria and who reside within the school’s boundaries – a selection process for qualifying SAS applicants will be conducted in this order:
1) Siblings residing within LAUSD boundaries (must meet SAS eligibility criteria)
2) Students residing within LAUSD boundaries (must meet SAS eligibility criteria)
There is no priority point accrual process for Schools for Advanced Studies.
To ensure equity and access, each of the three SAS eligibility criteria carries equal weight in the selection process. Therefore, priority placement is not given to students identified as gifted/highly gifted or those who meet test score criteria.
Are students selected on a first-come first-served basis?
No. The selection process is random and occurs after the on-time application deadline. All eligible applicants are included in the selection process.Is there guaranteed selection if I apply?
No. Applicants are not guaranteed selection.How do I know if my child was selected or not?
In December, you will receive a letter confirming receipt of your child’s application indicating any corrections, if applicable. In February, you will receive a letter that provides information about your child’s eligibility for the selected program(s). If eligible, in March, you will be notified by online parent account or U.S. mail as to whether your child was selected or placed on the waiting list.What is my child's status on the waiting list?
Your child’s status will depend on the number of openings at the school of choice as well as the number of applicants. You may call the school to inquire about estimated capacity.When will my child get called from the waiting list?
Applicants on the waiting list may be contacted beginning as early as April until the fourth week of the fall semester. Applicants may also be contacted during the first two weeks of the spring semester.Do I have to reapply every year?
Students who are currently enrolled in an SAS site do not have to reapply unless they want to change schools (this includes promotion to the next school level, such as elementary school to middle school or middle school to high school). If a student remains on a waiting list, then the student should reapply.What if my resident school has the SAS designation?
Students residing within the boundaries of a designated SAS school who meet the eligibility criteria must be placed in the site’s SAS gifted/talented program (unless a parent has opted out). All qualified students who reside within the school’s boundaries must be accommodated before any SAS applicants are enrolled. No formal application is required for a qualified student who resides within the school’s boundaries since SAS is the school site’s GATE instructional program for its students. Student eligibility will be verified at the SAS site through District records and articulation with the sending school. If you have questions, contact the school directly.Is there transportation for SAS?
No, transportation is not provided for SAS.
Exceptions:
- Students with disabilities enrolling in a Schools for Advanced Studies site will have access to transportation if the student’s IEP requires transportation.
- Under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), foster youth in out-of-home care, as defined, and youth experiencing homelessness have the right to receive transportation to and from their school of origin. Please contact Student Support Programs at (213) 241-3840 for more information and/or assistance.