It is the policy of the Seattle School Board that students shall have the opportunity to attend an elementary, middle or high school in a designated attendance area based upon home address, unless the school designated by a student’s home address does not have the appropriate services for the student’s needs, as determined by the school district. In such instances, the student shall be assigned to a school that has the appropriate services. It is expected that most students will have the opportunity to attend their attendance area school.

Families may apply for assignment to a school in a different attendance area or a school that does not have a designated attendance area, but admission to such a school is not guaranteed. Assignment to these schools shall be based on an open application process and, in the case of more applicants than space available for students, an established set of tiebreakers shall apply.

When registering a student without a legal residence, the school district will comply with Policy No. 3115, Students Experiencing Homelessness: Enrollment Rights and Services.

When the district receives information from the parent/guardian, student, or an agency that a student has a history of disciplinary actions, criminal or violent behavior, or other behavior that indicates the student could be a threat to the safety of staff or students, the district will comply with all applicable legal statutes including RCW 13.40.215 (enrollment of student found to have committed a violent, sex offense, and/or stalking crime).

The Superintendent or their designee is authorized to develop procedures to implement this policy.

Superintendent Procedure

• 3130SP – Superintendent Procedures for Student Assignment

Policy Cross References

• 2100 – Educational Opportunities for Military Children
• 2255 – Alternative Learning Experience Schools or Programs
• 3111 – Children of Seattle School District Employees
• 3115 – Students Experiencing Homelessness: Enrollment Rights and Services
• 3116 – Dependent Students (Foster Care)
• 3119 – Residency
• 3121 – Attendance
• 3127 – Enrollment Reporting
• 3131 – District Attendance Area Transfers
• 3140 – Release of Resident Students
• 3141 – Nonresident Students
• 3142 – International Student Exchange
• 3143 – Notification and Dissemination of Information About Student Offenses and Notification of Threats of Violence or Harm

Previous Policies

• D03.00 – Student Assignment

Legal References

• RCW 13.40.215 Juveniles found to have committed violent or sex offense or stalking—Notification of discharge, parole, leave, release, transfer, or escape—To whom given—School attendance—Definitions.
• RCW 28A.225.215 Enrollment of children without legal residences.
• RCW 28A.225.216 Children of military families—Residency.
• RCW 28A.225.330 Enrolling students from other districts — Requests for information and permanent records — Withheld transcripts — Immunity from liability — Notification to teachers and security personnel — Rules.
• RCW 28A.600.460 Classroom discipline—Policies—Classroom placement of student offenders—Data on disciplinary actions.
• WAC 392-121-106 Definition—Enrolled student.
• WAC 392-121-108 Definitions — Enrollment exclusions.
• WAC 392-121-122 Definitions —Full-time equivalent student.
• WAC 392-121-182 Alternative learning experience requirements.
• WAC 392-169-022 Running start student — Definition.

Revisions

• May 11, 2022 (Administrative update per Policy No. 1310)
• November 3, 2021
• June 24, 2020 (Administrative update per Policy No. 1310)
• April 2, 2014

Adopted

• December 7, 2011