The Sacramento City Unified School District (SCUSD) has announced that the application period for open enrollment for students entering Kindergarten through 8th grade will close on Friday, February 27, 2026, at 5:00 pm. The open enrollment process allows families to apply for their children to attend a school other than their designated neighborhood school for the 2026–2027 academic year, depending on space availability.
Families interested in exploring different educational options are encouraged to visit the district’s Open Enrollment website. There, they can access a list of participating schools by grade level and find answers to frequently asked questions about the process. Some schools also host visitation events so that families can tour campuses and meet staff members. The SchoolFinder tool is available to help families identify schools based on specific interests, care programs, and schedules.
Support is available at the SCUSD Enrollment Center next to the Serna Center District Office. The center operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., offering assistance with applications without requiring an appointment. Computer kiosks and scanners are provided for convenience, and translators are present to help non-English-speaking families navigate the enrollment process.
The application window runs from February 2, 2026 at 8:00 am until February 27, 2026 at 5:00 pm. Applications submitted at any point during this period will be considered equally; there is no advantage for early submission.
Before applying for open enrollment, parents of incoming kindergarteners are advised to register their child at their neighborhood school as a precaution in case they are not selected through the lottery system.
“Take your time to review and select the best fit for your child before the deadline,” stated SCUSD officials.
