Chasing school slots

By THOMAS C. TOBIN
Published February 21, 2007

Nearly 7,000 Pinellas students recently submitted more than 11,000 applications for magnet and fundamental programs and high school career academies. Starting Thursday, applicants to these "countywide" programs must call the district's automated phone line to find out whether they have been invited for the 2007-08 school year.

Those who are invited must accept the invitation on the phone line. The number to call is (727) 501-0871. The deadline for accepting an invitation is Feb. 28. Below is a list showing the number of seats available in each program for next school year and the number of applicants for each one.

Number of students invited applications

Elementary magnet schools

Bay Point 71 398

Melrose 45 162

Perkins 86 594

Ridgecrest 67 137

Elementary fundamental schools

Bay Vista 99 547

Curtis 73 345

Lakeview 79 506

Pasadena 94 690

Tarpon 67 277

Middle school magnet programs

Bay Point 240 451

J. Hopkins/Fine & Performing Arts 252 389

J. Hopkins/Global Studies 80 149

J. Hopkins/Literary Arts 60 222

Middle school fundamental programs

Coachman 205 461

Southside 220 498

High school magnet programs

Boca Ciega/Wellness 173 365

Gibbs/BETA 210 210

Gibbs/PCCA 200 430

Lakewood/CAT 250 416

Largo/21st Century Learning 205 234

Palm Harbor University/IB 155 393

Palm Harbor University/Wellness 136 555

Pinellas Park/Criminal Justice 200 390

St. Petersburg/IB 170 516

Fundamental high school

Osceola 450 668

High school career academies

Clearwater/Culture and Commerce 90 121

Dixie Hollins/Graphic Design 66 134

Dunedin/Architectural Design

& Building Technologies 72 74

Dunedin/Electrical Engineering 40 19

Dunedin/Architectural Drafting 40 51

East Lake/Engineering 110 229

Lakewood/Environmental

Technology and Marine Science 90 92

Northeast/Finance 120 106

Northeast/Information 80 123

Northeast/Automotive 72 120

Tarpon Springs/Culinary 100 120

Tarpon Springs/Veterinary Science 131 131