The V.I. Department of Education has announced that it will discontinue parent district waivers in the St. Croix District and implement a comprehensive district-wide redistricting process beginning with the 2026–2027 school year, a change that will require students to attend schools strictly based on their verified home address.
According to the department, the policy change will take effect at the conclusion of the 2025–2026 school year. Effective May 2026, parent district waiver requests—which have historically allowed families to seek enrollment in schools outside of a student’s assigned residential attendance zone—will no longer be accepted. Beginning with the 2026–2027 academic year, attendance at schools outside of a student’s designated zone will no longer be an option.
As part of the transition, VIDE will carry out districtwide redistricting for all schools across St. Croix. Under the new system, student assignments will be determined strictly by verified home address information recorded in the student information system. Families will receive written notification identifying their child’s assigned school for the upcoming school year.
The department provided an example of how the change will affect current enrollment. Students who attend Pearl B. Larsen PreK–8 School but live outside of the school’s designated attendance zone—including students residing in the Frederiksted area—will be reassigned to schools aligned with their verified home address and established zoning boundaries.
VIDE outlined specific conditions that will apply, actions it says that are aimed at ensuring consistency, fairness, and integrity throughout the redistricting process. Home address changes will not be permitted in the student information portal during the redistricting window if the purpose is to circumvent school assignments, according to the department. In addition, all student addresses will undergo verification, and families may be required to submit documentation to confirm residency.
VIDE said the policy shift is intended to promote equitable enrollment practices throughout the district, strengthen accountability related to student residency, and improve planning for staffing, transportation, classroom capacity, and instructional resources. According to the department, the adjustments are designed to support a more balanced and effective learning environment for students across St. Croix.
Additional details regarding timelines, address verification procedures, and assignment notifications will be provided to families before the redistricting process begins, according to the release. Parents, guardians, and school administrators are encouraged to review all official communications carefully once they are issued.
Advertisements
