Choice Enrollment

Choice Rules & Regulations

One Application

One Choice Enrollment Application will be accepted for each scholar.  When multiple Choice Enrollment Applications are submitted for the same scholar, the Choice Enrollment Application bearing the most current date and time will be the application entered into record.

No Transportation

Parents/guardians with students enrolled in the Choice program are responsible for transportation to a school outside of the resident service area. 

Enrollment While Waiting for Acceptance

Scholars are expected to be enrolled and attending their current or resident area school while waiting for space to become available for choice enrollment at their requested school.  If or when space becomes available at the requested school, the scholar's enrollment and records will be transferred to the "choice" school upon the parent signing the acceptance letter and contacting the new school.  The office of the "choice" school will notify the parent of their scholar's start date at their school.

Duration of Acceptance

Resident scholars accepted on Choice enrollment will be accepted for the K-12 Continuum. Non-residents are accepted for the grade span of the “choice” school (except Nautilus 6-8 and Woodmont 6-8, and TAF@Saghalie 9-12), contingent upon receipt of Choice Transfer Request from resident district prior to the beginning of each school year.

Educational Programs (e.g. Cambridge and International Baccalaureate):

Acceptance into educational programs does not guarantee placement at the schools where these programs are offered.

Revocation of Choice Placement by District

Choice placement may be revoked by the district for excessive tardiness or absences greater than 10 days, increased enrollment at Choice school causing overcrowding in school, grade, or program. Disciplinary record indicates a history of violent or disruptive behavior (non-resident scholars only). 

Revocation of Choice Placement by Parent/Guardian

Should a student desire to return to the school in their assigned attendance area after accepting a Choice placement, the parent/guardian must submit the request in writing to the Business Office.

Athletic Eligibility (High School Only)

How does Choice Enrollment Work?

Federal Way Public Schools (FWPS) scholars are assigned to a designated school based on their home address. Scholars are guaranteed placement (or a spot) to their designated school. Scholars have the option to apply for placement to a different school through Choice. Assignment to the school of their choice is not guaranteed and is based on space availability.

Resident scholars, or those living within our district boundaries, and permanent district employees shall have priority over non-resident scholars, or those living outside of district boundaries.

To determine which school boundary you reside in, click here:

http://www5.kingcounty.gov/FWSD/schoollookup.htm.

What Does "Space Available" Mean?

The number of “choice enrollment” openings available for the upcoming year is determined by the Chief Financial Officer/Designee, using a variety of resources. It is possible that some schools will have NO immediate openings designated for Choice Enrollment.

All Choice placement is contingent upon space availability.

How are Choice Applications Processed?

Pre-Lottery

For Limited-Space Schools (Federal Way Public Academy, Nautilus grades 6-8, Olympic View grades 6-8, and Woodmont grades 6-8, TAF @ Saghalie grades 9-12):

1. All applications received by the application deadline are entered into a central database.
2. Applications are drawn in order of priority based on our policies and procedures (See “Placement Priorities” section above).
3. The database will randomly generate the acceptance of applications for any available spaces.
4. The database will then randomly generate waitlist positions for the remaining applications.
5. If an accepted spot at in a limited-space school is vacated before the start of school, the district will reach out to offer the placement to the next person on the waitlist generated by the lottery.

For all other grades and schools:

1. In the week leading up to the lottery, the district will review applications and enrollment projection data to identify whether a given grade and school has availability to approve the submitted requests.
2. Families of approved requests will receive notification prior to the lottery (“Pre-Lottery Approval”).
3. All other remaining requests will be entered into the lottery, and drawn by priority for waitlist positions in order to review enrollment in August to see if space availability has opened up for that grade and school. .
4. In August, Business Services will review enrollment, waitlisted requests from the lottery, and additional requests submitted in the post-lottery to make additional approvals. Families will receive notification of approval by email.

The lottery to determine placement status of each applicant is open to the public and held at the Educational Service Center (33330 8th Ave S, Federal Way, WA 98003) on April 16, 2024 at 5:30pm. Attendance at the lottery is not required. Notification of Choice Placement status (approval or waitlist) will be provided to all participants by April 18, 2024. Acceptance of placement is due from families by May 1, 2024.

Post-Lottery

All applications received during the post-lottery open enrollment will be placed on the requested school’s waitlist in the order received based on the District’s established priorities. Final placement determination will be emailed to all applicants by the 15th school day.

Scholars not placed in their requested school must remain at their present resident school.