Some schools open to LWSD students residing outside their attendance area

Redmond, Wash. – Lake Washington School District (LWSD) holds an open enrollment period each year for parents who want their children to attend a school other than their neighborhood school. Parents may apply between February 1-28 for a change to their school assignment for the 2023-24 school year for their students in grades K-12. This option is also known as an In-District Variance. 

This open enrollment option only applies to neighborhood schools that have space available (and are designated as “open” or “limited”). The list of schools that are open or limited to students outside their neighborhood is available on the district website: https://www.lwsd.org/students-families/transfer-options/open-schools-list. 

In-District Variance forms can be accessed on the district website at: https://www.lwsd.org/students-families/registration/transfer-options/in-district-variance-options. The completed request must be submitted to the student’s designated neighborhood school. No priority is given based on the date the application/requests are received, provided the application is received during the open enrollment period.

Acceptance is based on whether a school is designated as “open” or “limited” AND if there is space available in the school, grade and program as well as a District priority process. To learn more about the process, visit https://www.lwsd.org/students-families/registration/transfer-options/in-district-variance-options. 

Students from outside the district who wish to attend Lake Washington’s schools can apply for enrollment by initiating a Choice Transfer (out-of-district) request with their resident school district. Consideration will only be given to requests for schools open to Choice (out-of-district) Transfers. Please refer to our district website for schools that are listed as open or closed for choice (out-of-district) transfers. Schools designated as “limited” are closed to Choice Transfers. If a school is open, students within the district have priority for available spaces. Students from outside the district will be placed after the in-district students are accommodated if space is available. 

Parents who live in the district will be notified of the result of their In-District Variance request by the end of March 2023. Choice Transfer (out-of-district) requesters will be notified in a timely manner but no later than 45 days after the request is received.

Questions? Contact us at 425-936-1200. 

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About Lake Washington: Lake Washington School District is a high-performing public school district serving Kirkland, Redmond, and Sammamish, Washington. It is the second largest district in the state of Washington, with over 30,500 students in 57 schools.