Every Spring, families contact us, so excited to move to San Diego, and wanting to know what they need to do in order to attend Design39Campus. And every Spring, we wish so badly these families had contacted us sooner! Why? For one, we love helping families who are passionate about the concept behind Design39Campus become a part of the D39C community. The entry process for Design39Campus is very different than other PUSD schools, and starts well before them. Timing is critical for those intending to move to San Diego in the Spring and Summer. You can still apply if this is the case, but you have to be prepared!
If you are thinking of moving to San Diego or applying to Design39Campus for your TK-8th grader for the 2021-2022 school year, here is some important information to know:
1.) JANUARY IS AN IMPORTANT MONTH: You must first attend a Virtual Discussion with the Design Facilitators and LED’s (Learning Experience Designers) at 6pm on January 14th, 21st, or 28th, or at 10am on January 21st. After that, you will be instructed on how to fill out an interest form (application for the lottery) in order to turn it in by January 31st at 11:59pm.
What do you do if you know you are moving to San Diego in the Spring or early summer? You can still apply for the lottery as long as you intend to be in escrow by the end of February. Though not 100% ideal to close on a home a few months before you move, the best chance that a family has to get into D39C is when their child is entering kindergarten. Many of the other grades are completely full. To miss out on this opportunity because you want to wait for a few months to secure a residence can make all the difference in where your child goes to school the next 9 years. You can indicate the CFD (community facility district) you intend to be in on the interest form; the school will then verify that you are in escrow with your purchase contract at the end of February.
Some families prefer to rent a home in order to make sure they love the area before buying. You can have a rental contract and get into D39C; but you must be in the home when applying and must provide a copy of the lease.
2.) MARCH IS WHEN THE ACTION HAPPENS: The district runs the lottery in March. Those who get in start getting notified in March and April; you have 48 hours to accept your position upon acceptance. As entrants decline and/or as space opens up, new notifications are sent out. A wait list is maintained through the end of October. There is often a lot of movement over the summer, when families move, switch schools, and make life changes that impact where they go to school. In our experience, there is then some movement the first 2 weeks of school as well.
3.) YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN PUSD BOUNDARIES TO APPLY: Design39Campus started out only accepting children living in 4S Ranch, Del Sur, the Lakes, and Santaluz communities. Now, up to 30% of children outside of those boundaries, but within the Poway Unified School District boundaries, get in. It is critical that you verify your address is one that can attend D39C before purchasing a home. You can search for a home on the only CFD searcher available here.
Have more questions? Contact us today.
Team Kolker is not associated with Design39Campus in any capacity beyond loving the school to its core. Design39Campus updates their website with the most up to date enrollment information the first week early January 2021. Though we aim to be as accurate as possible, please verify any information with Design39Campus itself.
