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Friday, January 20, 2012

Registration with Seattle Public Schools

You are probably confused by the SPS website.  We all are.

How to register your kindergartener for the 2012-2013 year.

FUN FACT:  SPS will always have a spot for your child at your 'Attendance Area' school, no matter when you register them, even if it isn't until August 31.  Sure, earlier is better, since they'd like to know whether classes will be oversubscribed earlier than that so that they can work down the waiting list, and it would be a nice thing to do so that waitlisted families can reduce their stress levels.

FUN FACT:  When you are registering your student, you're really just getting them into the SPS system.  They'll be assigned to your neighborhood school by default, pending your acceptance into your 'preferred choice' school or program.
  • The Bagley attendance area default is CONTEMPORARY K.
  • Montessori applications must be made during the Open Enrollment Period below

FUN FACT:  The 2012 application period for option schools/programs is short! Open Enrollment is from February 27 - March 9 2012 ONLY! 
All the forms are on the SPS website.  I'd recommend submitting the application in person at the SPS HQ in SODO, or at one of the in-person open registration sessions they usually offer at local libraries (although, I haven't heard anything about those yet this year). 

FUN FACT:  If they are offered, the special community open enrollment sessions are quick and convenient.  Last year at the Ballard Library registration, it took me only 3 minutes to register my kindergartener with SPS, apply for Montessori for her, and apply for Montessori for my 1st grader.

FUN FACT:  This year, we have THREE Montessori classrooms (well, K/1 split) and only TWO Contemporary (again, K/1 split).  So, the odds were BETTER for Montessori K, with families as far down at #17 on the waitlist receiving admission offers in September 2011.  It all depends on the number of kids in the 'hood.

FUN FACT:  The waitlist is active through September 30, and there are a LOT of offers made in the first two weeks of school, while everyone is making decisions (lots of people holding onto spots while they hedge their bets, or not updating SPS until the last minute).

To summarize by program/school:

To get into the Bagley Contemporary Kindergarten program
  1. If you are in the Bagley attendance area and have registered your student, you will automatically be assigned to the Contemporary Kindergarten program.
  2. If you are in the Bagley attendance area and have not yet registered your student, you can do this any time, although it is nice to get it organized now, so the teachers can assess #s for next year, and waitlisted families get more information.  You will automatically be assigned the Contemporary K program.  Registration: e-mail, mail, or in person.  Forms on the SPS website.
  3. If you are NOT in the Bagley attendance area, you must apply for 'Bagley Contemporary K' on the School Choice Form during Open Enrollment February 27 - March 9.   If you haven't registered your student with SPS, you will do that then as part of the School Choice registration process.  I'd recommend applying in person.
Tie-breakers for non-attendance area contemporary K are 1) Sibling and 2) Lottery.
 
To get into the Bagley Montessori Kindergarten program
  1. If you are in the Bagley attendance area and have registered your student, you must apply for 'Bagley Montessori K' on the school choice form during Open Enrollment February 27 - March 9.   I'd recommend applying in person.
  2. If you are in the Bagley attendance area and have not yet registered your student, you will have to do that either before or during the Open Enrollment period.  There is no real advantage for doing it early at this point, as long as you have all the required documentation ready.  You must apply for 'Bagley Montessori K' on the school choice form during the Open Enrollment period February 27 - March 9.   I'd recommend applying in person.
  3. If you are NOT in the Bagley attendance area,  you must apply for 'Bagley Montessori K' on the School Choice Form during Open Enrollment February 27 - March 9. If you haven't registered your student with SPS, you will do that then as part of the School Choice registration process. I'd recommend applying in person.
Tie-breakers for Montessori K are 1) Attendance Area and 2) Lottery.   Non-attendance area siblings of current Montessori students might have better odds with the Contemporary K program (depends on the number of contemporary classrooms next year).

To get into the Bagley Special Education/IEP program

If I find out I will post it here - there is registration and contact information on the SPS website. Same open enrollment period as noted elsewhere.

To get into a different school
  1. If you are in the Bagley attendance area and have registered your student, you must apply for other programs on the school choice form during Open Enrollment February 27 - March 9. I'd recommend applying in person.
  2. If you are in the Bagley attendance area and have not yet registered your student, you will have to do that either before or during the Open Enrollment period. There is no real advantage for doing it early at this point, as long as you have all the required documentation ready. You must apply for other programs on the school choice form during the Open Enrollment period February 27 - March 9. I'd recommend applying in person.
  3. If you are applying to an advanced level program, there are additional testing and documentation requirements.  Check the SPS website NOW to avoid missing deadlines.
Tie-breakers for non-attendance area contemporary K anywhere are 1) Sibling and 2) Lottery.

Tie-breakers for Spectrum programs are 1) Service Area and 2) Lottery. 

If you just miss the cut-off age (5 by August 31) but want to start in September

Application for early admission (Sept/Oct birthdays only) are due in April (date TBD), and are available here.



So, register... then wait.  You will get a confirmation for your attendance area school pretty quickly, and a status update for your position on the waitlist (if applicable). 

You will be able to track your choice school/program waitlist status online starting in ~May - more to come on that!

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