PAUSD choice programs and immersion

Most PAUSD students attend the school assigned to their address. Choice programs are the main exception. They let families apply for a different approach to teaching, a second language or a themed middle school program, regardless of where they live in the district. Seats are limited, so most are filled by lottery each winter.

This page describes each program in the words of the district's choice programs page and the schools' own sites, as of October 2026. We do not compare programs or report outcomes. Our public schools guide gives the district overview.

The programs at a glance

Hoover Elementary

PAUSD describes the Hoover approach as a balance of explicit direct instruction with structured, student-centered activities meant to deepen learning and the complexity of students' thinking. The district says success comes from clearly stated academic expectations, differentiated support and routine practice of communication skills and study habits. Ohlone's lottery guide refers to the same program as "Direct Instruction/Hoover", which is how many local parents describe it.

Hoover is in south Palo Alto on East Charleston Road. As reported, the school moved into its rebuilt campus on January 22, 2026 after a period at the Greendell site. Starting in fall 2026 it also hosts the district's Young Fives class, a separate program for children who are old enough for kindergarten but not yet ready for it.

Ohlone Elementary

According to PAUSD, Ohlone's open school philosophy focuses on developmental education. Classrooms emphasize open-ended activities, personalized instruction and peer tutoring, with teachers acting as facilitators of academic, social and emotional learning.

Ohlone's own applying page explains that the school contains two programs, English-only Ohlone and Mandarin Immersion Ohlone. Both follow the same alternative model. Each has its own lottery. The school sits on Amarillo Avenue near Greer Park.

The Ohlone Farm

The farm is the feature people most often mention when they talk about Ohlone. It is not a separate program with its own application. It is part of the school. Ohlone calls it one of the cornerstones of its developmental approach.

The school's farm page gives the details:

• History: teachers Bill Overton and Jana Littlefield founded the farm in the 1984 to 1985 school year.
• What is there: a vegetable garden, an orchard, a pumpkin patch, a native habitat with a pond, a greenhouse, a gathering area with a stage, an animal area with sheep, goats and chickens, a composting system, a gardening teaching area and an outdoor science classroom.
• Lessons: classes come out weekly and are taught by farm staff. A Farm Vision Team oversees the curriculum and parent volunteers help during outdoor lessons.
• Funding: the farm relies entirely on private donations and project grants.
• Animal care: families volunteer to care for the animals on evenings, weekends and holidays. The community also holds farm workdays.

A Farmer's Market sells produce, baked goods and other farm products after school on Thursdays twice a month. The school notes it is a private event for the Ohlone community only and takes more than 80 volunteers to run. The farm is not open to the public. Families looking for farm visits elsewhere can try the Stanford Educational Farm or our list of nature programs for kids.

Mandarin and Spanish dual immersion

PAUSD runs two dual immersion programs that start in kindergarten and continue through fifth grade, with an option to continue in middle school. In both, English-speaking students and native speakers of the second language learn together, taught in both languages. The district lists the same three aims for each:

1. Bilingual proficiency and literacy in both languages.
2. Academic achievement at or above grade level in both languages.
3. Positive cross-cultural attitudes.

Mandarin immersion is at Ohlone. Spanish immersion is at Escondido, which is also a neighborhood school for its own attendance area. Ohlone's site adds that any Mandarin immersion offer after kindergarten depends on a successful grade-level assessment of reading, writing and speaking.

Middle school choice programs

• Language Bridge at Greene. Open to students who completed elementary Mandarin or Spanish immersion. Others may qualify by showing grade-level bilingual fluency in an assessment, held in August or September and again in December for spring entry.
• Connections at JLS. PAUSD describes an inquiry-based learning community focused on student choice, cross-curricular units, collaboration and presentation. Students set goals, choose project topics and present their work in community settings.
• Sustainability for All at Fletcher. Every Fletcher student takes part through core classes. Students from outside the Fletcher area can apply in grades 6 to 8. The district holds a lottery only if applicants exceed seats and notifies families by email.

Our middle schools guide covers each campus and what the choice program means for high school.

How the lottery works

When a program has more applications than seats, PAUSD holds a lottery for incoming kindergartners and rising sixth graders. The rules the district publishes:

• One application to one program per student.
• New students must complete PAUSD registration before applying. Current students in the right grade are eligible.
• Siblings of students already in a choice program and children of PAUSD employees must still apply.
• Accepting a seat forfeits the seat at the neighborhood school.
• For students receiving special education services, placement is decided in a transition or IEP meeting.
• The district strongly recommends attending program information nights before applying.

Dates for 2027 to 2028

Information night dates for 2027 had not been posted in late October 2026. Last cycle, Ohlone held one online session in late January and an in-person session with a tour in early February. Check each school's site from December onward. To register a new student first, see our enrollment guide.

Waitlists

The lotteries create waitlists. Students who missed the lottery or who join PAUSD in another grade can ask to be added. PAUSD says the waitlist moves with the cohort and offers are made from it when seats open during the year. Ohlone adds that its offers go first to siblings of current students, then to the waitlist in order. Waitlist spots roll forward as long as the child stays registered in PAUSD and does not apply to another choice program. Families are asked each spring to confirm interest. The school says it cannot give odds, because the number of siblings and applicants changes every year.

Before you apply

A few practical questions matter as much as teaching philosophy:

• Getting there. PAUSD does not run general school buses. A choice school across town means a daily commute.
• After-school care. Providers differ by campus. Ohlone lists PACCC's Ohlone Kids' Club and Right at School. See our after-school guide.
• Siblings. Younger siblings still apply, so plan for the possibility of two schools.
• Language at home. Ask at the information night how the program supports families who do not speak the language.

Frequently asked questions