Monday, October 19, 2026

Families Can Apply Tuesday for Priority School Enrollment for 2027–28

Pasadena Unified’s early application window covers siblings and students continuing specialized academic programs

Eligible families in Pasadena, Altadena and Sierra Madre can begin applying at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, for priority school placement in the Pasadena Unified School District for the 2027–28 academic year.

The application window closes at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, according to the district’s published enrollment schedule and Pasadena Education Network.

The early application period covers two groups: siblings of students already attending PUSD schools and current district students advancing to another school while continuing an eligible academic program.

To qualify for sibling priority, children must live at the same address and be scheduled to attend the same school at the same time, according to the district.

Continuing-program priority applies to current PUSD students entering sixth or ninth grade who want to remain in the same academic pathway at their next school.

Eligible programs include International Baccalaureate, magnet programs, dual language immersion and Math Academy.

Families must submit applications online at https://pusd.schoolmint.com. The district requires a separate application for each student.

Priority status does not guarantee placement at a requested school. PUSD’s enrollment guidance states that a random lottery is used when applications exceed available seats.

Results Expected in December

Families can view priority lottery results online by 11:59 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, according to the district’s enrollment calendar.

Those receiving school offers must accept them by Friday, Dec. 11. The district also requires families to complete the registration process described in their enrollment notifications.

Pasadena Education Network cautions that students who receive placement through the priority process are not eligible to participate in the general open enrollment lottery in January.

Families who do not qualify for the October priority window will have another opportunity to apply during the first general lottery, scheduled for Jan. 14–28, 2027.

That lottery includes students requesting a school other than their assigned neighborhood campus, applicants seeking dual language immersion programs and incoming transitional kindergarten students.

PUSD requires an application for all transitional kindergarten students, including those planning to attend their neighborhood school.

The district’s published eligibility rules also include former PUSD residents displaced by the Eaton Fire among those eligible for the first general lottery. That provision applies to displaced families who otherwise meet the district’s enrollment requirements.

A second general lottery, scheduled for Jan. 29 through Feb. 19, 2027, will accept applications from district residents who have not yet applied and students living outside PUSD boundaries, subject to interdistrict permit requirements.

Students already attending their chosen school generally may remain there through the school’s final grade without reapplying, according to the district’s enrollment guidance.

Families uncertain about eligibility or needing application assistance can contact PUSD’s Office of Enrollment at (626) 396-3639.

Applications open Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 9 a.m. and close Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 4 p.m. The application website is https://pusd.schoolmint.com.