School Assignment
School Assignment Information
New elementary, middle, and high school students are initially assigned to a designated attendance area school based on where the student lives. As a general rule, if your student is currently enrolled, they will be assigned to the same school they are attending now, next year. Students who are moving up to middle or high school will be automatically assigned to their neighborhood school.
Student Assignment Plan
Student Assignment Transition Plan for 2022-23
Superintendent’s Procedures for Student Assignment
Assignment Lookup Tool
Students may apply to attend a school other than their attendance area school through School Choice. To view assignment information using The Student Assignment Lookup Tool, you will need the student’s identification number and birth date. You can find your student’s ID number by signing in to The Source.
If you have problems accessing your student’s assignment, please contact the admissions team, at 206-252-0760.
Waitlist Information
Waitlists are formed when there is no space available at a school and grade, in a specific program. The waitlist positions are based on applicable tiebreakers. Adjustments to waitlist rank order may be necessary due to program changes, agent, or system error. This report is updated on a weekly basis, typically on Tuesdays.
The District cannot guarantee a choice assignment, that space may become available, or that the waitlist will move. Waitlists for the school year will dissolve on August 31.
School Choice Inquiry
Parents/guardians may submit a School Choice Inquiry Form if they believe that the district made an error in processing the choice application and would like to request a further investigation to be made. Note that this form should not be used to appeal a school assignment due to not receiving a preferred choice seat offer. Please allow 7 to 10 days for a response.
Students Not Attending Next Year
Current resident students who will not be returning full time to Seattle Public Schools in September will need fill out the Not Attending Next Year Form.
Transfer Appeals for 2024-25
Note: Transfer Appeal Form for 2025-2026 school year assignments will be available on June 1st. The review process will begin in July.
Transfer Appeals are considered only in extreme or unique circumstances for a mid-year transfer during 2024-25 school year. If there is a school related matter, please attempt to resolve the issue within the school first and submit a Principal Review Form to transferappeal@seattleschools.org.
Appeals are subject to the SPS assignment guidelines and are not granted on the basis of:
- Curriculum issues
- Transportation issues
- Personal preference
- Perceived quality of a school
- Desired cultural population
- Child care
- After school activities
- Non-school appointments
- Family members’ health
Please note that this is not a school choice process, and the appeals board will not consider schools that are over-capacity or that have a waitlist, even if a transfer is granted.
Please visit our Forms Page to access our 2024-25 Transfer Appeal Request Form