Press Release:
Seattle Public Schools Open Enrollment for the 2011-12 school year takes place March 15-April 15. During Open Enrollment, families may register their child to enter SPS in fall 2011 and may also apply for a school other than their assigned school.

Initial Assignment Letter:
Middle of March
Current students and those new to the District for fall 2011 who pre-registered before Jan. 31 will receive their assignment in mid-March at the beginning of Open Enrollment. Students who were "grandfathered" under the District’s new student assignment plan may remain through the highest grade of the school they attend, providing that services they need are available at that school. Students in the highest grade at their current school (rising from elementary to middle school or middle school to high school) will receive an assignment to their attendance area school, or another school based on availability of services.

If the family wants the assignment noted in the March letter, no other action is needed. If the family wants to apply for a different attendance area school or an Option school, they may do so during the Open Enrollment period. Families who apply during Open Enrollment will receive their assignment at the end of May.

School Visits
Parents who want to learn more about their attendance area or Option schools are invited to observe during scheduled visiting days, with information available at HYPERLINK "http://district.seattleschools.org/enrollment" http://district.seattleschools.org/enrollment.

Transportation Eligibility
In February, the School Board approved changes to the District’s transportation service standards, which will affect transportation eligibility for some elementary and K-8 students. In late March, all students will be notified of their transportation eligibility for the 2011-12 school year. Students whose transportation eligibility is reduced or eliminated by the new transportation plan may wish to apply for a different school during Open Enrollment. To learn more about the new transportation plan, visit HYPERLINK "http://district.seattleschools.org" http://district.seattleschools.org and follow the “Transportation” link.

New Student Assignment Plan
The New Student Assignment Plan and new attendance-area boundaries were approved by the School Board in 2009, and transition plan rules for the 2011-12 school year were approved in February. This is the second year of implementing the plan, which is being phased in so that most students entering kindergarten and Grades 6 and 9 are assigned to their attendance area schools. For additional information on the new student assignment plan and transition plan, visit HYPERLINK "http://district.seattleschools.org" http://district.seattleschools.org. From the “District” menu, click on “Departments,” and then follow the link to “Enrollment Planning.”

Enrollment Information
Families enrolling students for the 2011-12 school year may visit the Enrollment website at HYPERLINK "http://district.seattleschools.org/enrollment" http://district.seattleschools.org/enrollment for forms and detailed information. Families may also contact an Enrollment Facilitator at the Service Center at the John Stanford Center, 2445 3rd Ave. S. (3rd and Lander). Telephone: (206) 252-0010 or fax: (206) 252-0761. There is also a Recorded Information Line: (206) 252-0410. Registration and application materials may be mailed, faxed or submitted in person. Mailing address is:
Seattle Public Schools
SPS Service Center
MS 11-174
P.O. Box 34165
Seattle, WA 98124-1165

Interpreters are available at the Service Center for families needing assistance in a language other than English. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

To be eligible for kindergarten for the 2011-12 school year, children must be 5 years of age by August 31, 2011. Documents required for new students include: proof of the child’s birth date (through Grade 1), photo I.D. of the parent/guardian, two additional documents for proof of address, and immunization records. An Admission Form and Certificate of Immunization Status (CIS) form are also required.

Current students wishing to change schools must submit a School Choice Form, which will be available online March 15. If the student's address has changed, an Admission Form and two address verification documents are also required.

All school choice forms received during Open Enrollment are processed together after Open Enrollment ends on April 15. There is no advantage to submitting forms earlier or later during the Open Enrollment period. The first few days and the last few days of Open Enrollment are the busiest. To avoid long lines, families are encouraged to consider this when planning their visit to the enrollment center.

24-Hour Forms Drop-Off Box
Current students may drop off School Choice Forms in our 24-hour drop box in the JSCEE parking lot at 3rd and Lander. Forms must be filled out completely and signed to be accepted. The drop-off box is only for school choice forms for current students who already have a school assignment but would like to apply for a different school. New students must submit enrollment materials either in person, by fax or email.

Community Locations
As part of our continuous commitment to provide quality customer service to our families, Seattle Public Schools enrollment staff will visit libraries and community centers around the city throughout March so parents may enroll new students and/or submit School Choice Forms for the 2011-12 school year. Please be sure to bring all necessary documents to register your child.

All of these enrollment visits are scheduled for 5:30-7 p.m.

Ballard Library March 17
Green Lake Library March 21
Northgate Library March 22
Denise Louie Education Center March 23
Delridge Library March 28
Queen Anne Library March 29
Lake City Library March 30
Broadview Library March 31