The John Muir Elementary PTSA held their annual Welcome Back Social just a few days after school started. Families, staff and community members greeted one another and met Blitz, the Seattle Seahawks mascot.
Choice Schools
The application for Choice Schools and Programs for the 2019-20 school year will open on December 10, 2018.
Choice schools and programs are optional schooling alternatives, created to meet specific needs and interests. They are designed to be smaller and use innovative approaches to education that are different from traditional public schools. Choice schools and programs are often housed within an existing school or on the same campus as another school.
Enrollment and Lottery Process
Choice schools and programs are open to all students in the district. Students must apply to be considered for enrollment in the school or program: the schools are small by design, so there are enrollment limits.
Choice School Application Timeline for 2019-20
- December 10, 2018 – Online application opens (due by 4:00 p.m. on January 18, 2019)
- January 18, 2019 – Online applications due by 4:00 p.m.
- February 1, 2019 – Lottery held at district
- February 8, 2019 – Notification to families
- February 22, 2019 – Acceptance deadline
More information is available on each school's website and in the videos below.
Choice Schools/Programs
Cambridge Program
Grades 9-12
Information night:
January 9, 2019
7:00 p.m. in the JHS Commons
Discovery Community School
Grades K-5
Information night:
January 10, 2019
6:30 p.m. in the Sandburg Elementary Commons
Environmental & Adventure School
Grades 6-8
Information night:
December 11, 2018
6:00 p.m. in the FHMS Cafeteria
Explorer Community School
Grades 1-5
Information night:
January 14, 2019
6:00 p.m. in the Dickinson Elementary Commons
International Community School
Grades 6-12
Information night:
December 13, 2018
6:00 p.m. in the ICS Lyceum
Mead STEM Program
Grades 1-5
Information night:
November 15, 2018
6:30 p.m. in the Mead Elementary Library
Northstar Middle School
Grades 6-8
Information night:
December 18, 2018
6:30 p.m. in the Emerson High School Gym
Renaissance School of Art & Reasoning
Grades 6-8
Information night:
January 8, 2019
7:00 p.m. in the EHS Theater
Tesla STEM High School
Grades 9-12
Information night:
December 12, 2018
7:00 p.m. in the Tesla STEM High School Presentation Hall
Transportation for Choice Schools and Programs
Parents/guardians of students who attend choice schools or programs must arrange their own transportation. In some cases, the district offers bus transportation. Contact the choice school or program you are interested in attending for more information.
Choice School Applications
Applicants should apply online to each Choice School they are considering.
If your child has previously applied to a choice school and is on a waitlist, do not re-apply to that school. Your child's waitlist spot is carried forward each year.
(Note: Emerson K-12, Emerson High School, and Futures School use their own applications. Please contact those schools for application information.)
After completing the online application, the applicant will receive a confirmation email from the system indicating that the application has been received. Incomplete applications will not be processed as part of the lottery. If you are unable to access the online application, there are three options available:
- The LWSD Resource Center has computers available for public use during regular business hours.
- The public library has computers available for public use.
- If the above options are not available or accessible, the parent may contact Janette Cimburek at the resource center at 425-936-1316 or jcimburek@lwsd.org.
A lottery and/or wait list system is used to place students when applications exceed vacancies. Choice school and program lotteries are run centrally at the district office. Lottery numbers are generated for each school through the use of a random sequence generator. The district will notify parents of their student's lottery number(s) following the district lottery.
For more information about the choice school or program you are interested in, visit the school's website. Additionally, most choice schools or programs hold an information night that provides a greater level of detail about the school, its program, and the unique features a student and family can expect at that particular school or program. Annually, the district publishes information about the middle school options and high school options. This can also help to inform students and families about the features of a choice school or program.
For information on eligibility, the application process, lottery process, and more, parents may review the district administrative policy and procedure.