Tuesday, October 20, 2026

PUSD Sibling and Program Priority Deadline Approaches

District’s fall enrollment window opens Tuesday for siblings and students continuing specialized academic programs

Pasadena families seeking priority enrollment for a sibling or continuing specialized academic program can begin applying at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, for the Pasadena Unified School District’s 2027–28 school year.

The application window closes Tuesday, Nov. 10.

It is open to two specific groups of students ahead of the district’s general school-choice lotteries in January, according to PUSD’s enrollment schedule and an Oct. 19 district update.

Sibling Priority applies to children whose brother or sister already attends the requested PUSD school. To qualify, the children must live at the same address and attend the school during overlapping periods, the district says.

Continuing Program Priority is for students currently enrolled in PUSD who will enter sixth or ninth grade and want to continue their existing academic program at the next school. Eligible pathways include International Baccalaureate, magnet programs, dual language immersion and Math Academy.

The priority process is part of PUSD’s broader open-enrollment system, which allows families in Pasadena, Altadena and Sierra Madre to request schools and specialty programs. Each child needs a separate application, according to the district’s enrollment guidance.

Families must apply through the district’s online SchoolMint portal. They can rank preferred schools, but a priority application does not guarantee a seat at a particular campus. PUSD uses a random lottery when requests exceed the available places, and submitting earlier within an application window does not provide an additional advantage.

Priority results are scheduled to be available online by 11:59 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3. Families offered places must accept them by Friday, Dec. 11, and then complete the registration requirements described in their offer notifications.

Families who miss the fall priority window can apply during the first general lottery, scheduled for Jan. 14–28, 2027. That process also serves other eligible applicants, including students requesting a school outside their neighborhood assignment. PUSD has scheduled a second lottery from Jan. 29 through Feb. 19.

PUSD has also posted campus-tour information for the current school year. Families seeking help with the enrollment process can contact the district’s Office of Enrollment at (626) 396-3639.

NEED TO KNOW — Event: PUSD Sibling and Continuing Program Priority applications for the 2027–28 school year. When: Tuesday, Oct. 20, through Tuesday, Nov. 10. Time: Applications open at 9 a.m. Oct. 20. Where: Online at https://pusd.schoolmint.com. For more, call (626) 396-3639 or visit https://www.pusd.us/departments/enrollment/dates.