City: Seattle, WA

Category: Relocation

Telephone: (206) 252-0000

Address: 2445 3rd Ave. South

Description: Seattle Public Schools is the largest K–12 school system in Washington state, serving more than 45,000 students in 88 schools. Seattle is a city rich with neighborhoods, and concurrent with the development of those neighborhoods was the birth and development of neighborhood schools—some as far back as 1862, seven years before the city was incorporated. Three new elementary schools opened in fall 2010, as well as a new Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) program at Cleveland High School. Seattle Public Schools is governed by its board of directors, an elected body representing seven geographical regions, known as districts, within the city of Seattle. The mission of the school board is to enable all students to achieve their potential through quality instructional programs and a shared commitment to continuous improvement. The length of each member’s term is four years. Board meetings are generally held at 6 p.m. on the first and third Wed of each month, with some exceptions. Board meetings are accessible to all members of the public. The school system offers many resources for students and their parents, including bus transportation, assistance for homeless students, Head Start, family support workers, student health services, reduced-price meals, and even a GLBTQ (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning) Advisory Committee. The State of Washington only funds half-day kindergarten. This means that in Seattle schools, half-day kindergarten is free to all students at all schools, and about half of the elementary and K–8 schools offer free full-day kindergarten. However, at other schools there is a fee of about $200 per month for full-day kindergarten. For any students eligible for the free or reduced-price meal program, enrollment is free for full-day kindergarten at any Seattle public school. To enroll your child in the Seattle Public School District, you must call or visit a Student Assignment Service Center for registration materials. The regular enrollment period is Feb for elementary school and Mar for middle and high school. Of course, new students to Seattle can enroll in school at any time. A recorded information line about enrollment can be reached at (206) 252-0760.