Open Enrollment/Choice Transfer

A student's school and resident school district are based on where the student resides. In some circumstances, a family may seek to transfer their student to a school outside of their resident district. This process if frequently referred to as open enrollment or choice transfer. Other terms used to describe this process include nonresident student transfer, out-of-district transfer, interdistrict transfer, variance, waiver, or school choice. For more information, visit the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) website.

All applications for nonresident attendance will be considered on an equal basis consistent with Board Policy 3141, RCW 28A.225.225 and WAC 392-137-205(1). Refer to the tab labeled, "File a Choice Transfer Request" for application instructions.

The School Board will determine annually if the District, or a portion thereof, is open to new, nonresident enrollment no later than April 15. In recent years, this determination has been made in January/February. Anticipated dates of Board discussion/action and the timeline for applications will be posted on this website.

On January 29, the Board approved the superintendent’s recommendation to open enrollment in the 2026-2027 school year to new, nonresident students seeking full-time enrollment in grades 6 through 12, where capacity permits. The District's Inclusive Preschool program for children aged 3-5, Highly Capable program for students in grades 6-8, and the Pathways program for students aged 18-22 are closed to new, nonresident students. Refer to Board Policy 3141.

Visit the tab labeled, "Status of Open Enrollment 2026-2027" for more information.

The School Board is anticipated to hold discussion on open enrollment/choice transfer for the 2027-2028 school year in November/December 2026 and make its annual determination in January 2027. Timing is subject to change. Refer to the tab labeled, "Status of Open Enrollment 2027-2028" for more information.

Applications are always welcome. The District will make a decision on an application in accordance with the provisions of Board Policy 3141. Please note that the policy specifies that the District is not open to nonresident enrollment in the elementary grades (K-5) for the 2026-2027 school year. The District does not consider personal, familial, or social circumstances that are not expressly identified in statute, rule, or District Policy.  

With the exception of the children/dependents of nonresident full-time certificated and classified Mercer Island School District employees, all nonresident students must enroll in a full-time course load and attend classes in person in a District school.

With exception of the children/dependents of nonresident full-time certificated and classified Mercer Island School District employees, nonresident students may not enroll either full time or part time in Running Start. Students remain eligible to participate in Running Start through their resident district.

With exception of the children/dependents of nonresident full-time certificated and classified Mercer Island School District employees, nonresident students may not enroll in online courses offered by the District. Participation in online courses or programs may be available through the student's resident district or through an approved online school program.

Students may continue to be enrolled through graduation provided they remain in good standing and submit a Choice Transfer Request and Nonresident Application each year.

However, continued enrollment is not guaranteed. Certain conditions may result in an application not being renewed. Such conditions include over-enrollment of resident students in a grade level or program; poor attendance; poor academic performance indicated by a cumulative GPA of less than 2.0; a history of unsatisfactory or disruptive behavior; enrollment in Running Start, online coursework or any other manner inconsistent with full-time enrollment; a change in employment status with the District or City of Mercer Island; or other provisions as outlined in Board Policy 3141.

The District understands that transitions for students can be challenging and prioritizes continuity in education. While continued attendance is not assured, the District makes every effort to maintain a stable learning environment for all students.

The children/dependents of the following classes of District employees are eligible for nonresident admission:

• Full-time District staff members.

The children/dependents of the following classes of District employees are eligible for full-time nonresident admission:

• Part-time District staff members.
• Athletic coaches who received a supplemental paid by the District for a minimum of one season and who the District expects to engage to coach a subsequent season in the forthcoming academic year.
• Club advisors who received a supplemental paid by the District, as delineated on the District’s certificated or classified supplemental salary schedule, for at least one academic term and who the District expects to lead or sponsor a club in the subsequent academic year.
• District employees employed as substitute educators who completed 225 hours of work in the previous academic year and have pledged to fulfill at least 225 hours subbing in the upcoming academic year.

The children/dependents of full or part-time employees of Chartwells who work in a District school are eligible for full-time nonresident admission.

The children/dependents of full and part-time employees of the City of Mercer Island who work on a regular basis and whose employment status entitles them to City-paid benefits are eligible for full-time nonresident admission. This definition includes employees of Mercer Island Youth & Family Services, Mercer Island Police Department and limited-term employees with an employment term of at least one year.

Working for a business or organization other than the City of Mercer Island is not a defined class under Board Policy 3141. Students seeking admission to grades 6-12 may be eligible for nonresident admission under the "open enrollment" provision of policy.

The children/dependents of families who reside on Mercer Island at the start of the academic year but move off the Island during the year are eligible to complete the school year with an approved choice transfer request.

A student in grade 11 who begins the academic year as a resident student and moves off Mercer Island may be eligible to complete their senior year at Mercer Island High School upon submitting the appropriate choice transfer request prior to the start of their 12th grade year.

Employees of the District, Chartwells or the City of Mercer Island who experience a change in employment during an academic year must submit a choice transfer request no later than five (5) school business days following the effective date of change in order for their child/dependent to complete the academic year. 

Students who are in grade 11 when the change occurs may be eligible to complete their senior year at Mercer Island High School upon submitting the appropriate choice transfer request prior to the start of the student’s 12th grade year. Students in other grades will only be eligible to attend District schools in subsequent years if they qualify for full-time, nonresident enrollment under one of the other provisions of Board Policy 3141.

If the change in employment occurs during the summer between academic years and prior to their child’s first day of the new academic year, the District reserves the right to rescind the acceptance if that child does not otherwise qualify for full-time, nonresident admission.

Parents/guardians or adult students assume full responsibility for adequate transportation to and from the school their child attends as well responsibility for the supervision of their child before and after school. The District shall incur no cost or responsibility for transporting the student unless otherwise agreed to by the District on an individual student basis.

Applications for the current 2026-2027 school year may be submitted at any time.

Applications for the 2027-2028 school year should be submitted according to the timeline outlined in the tab labeled, "File a Choice Transfer Request" above. See also the "Status of Open Enrollment 2027-2028" tab.

Only complete applications will be considered.

For grades open for nonresident enrollment, the District has limited capacity for the admission of new students. Interested families are encouraged to submit all applications materials as early as possible in accordance with the timeline outlined in the respective "status tab."

Early submissions will not be considered.

Refer to the tab labeled, "File a Choice Transfer Request" for instructions on submitting a complete application for nonresident admission.

No, only one application will be considered. Please indicate the preferred elementary school in your application. If the student qualifies for admission and capacity in the requested grade level is not available at your preferred school, the District will determine if the student can be accommodated at an alternative elementary school and will contact the parent/guardian.

Please do not submit more than one choice transfer request.

Applications are considered in the order in which the District has a complete application on file. The District considers the date the choice transfer request was submitted to the resident district as well as the date or dates supplementary materials were received by the District in calculating the completion date. Priority consideration is given to resident students, certain categories of nonresident students (e.g., children of District staff members), returning nonresident students and siblings of nonresident students expected to return the following academic year who are applying to a grade open to nonresident students.

The District must act on a choice transfer request within 45 days of receipt from the resident district. The parent/guardian will be notified of the District's decision to accept, waitlist or deny the student's application within this timeframe. If the District fails to respond within 45 days, the request will be considered denied. 

If admitted, the parent/guardian will receive a subsequent notification from the District outlining next steps.

The District affords preference to applications from the siblings of currently enrolled nonresident students who are expected to be enrolled during the subsequent academic year provided they are applying for admission to a grade level determined to be open for nonresident enrollment.

If your child is waitlisted, their name will be placed on a grade-specific waiting list for the requested academic year based on the application completion date. Capacity will be reviewed periodically by District staff. Should space become available, the parent/guardian will be contacted.

The District may elect to close the waitlist for a specific grade level if maximum capacity is reached.

Waiting lists are not maintained beyond the academic year for which nonresident admission has been requested. Families interested in nonresident admission for a subsequent academic year must submit a new application in accordance with the appropriate timeline.

If your choice transfer request was denied, you have the right to request an informal conference with the District superintendent or designee to reconsider the denial. Please contact michelle.mueller@mercerislandschools.org to initiate this process. Applicants also have the right to appeal to the superintendent of public instruction or designee pursuant to RCW 28A.225.225(5), who shall hear the appeal and examine the evidence to ensure the District complied with all applicable standards and procedures.

Applications are required annually for nonresident admission. The requirement for renewal applications is outlined above under, "Do I have to apply every year?"

Nonresident student participation in athletics may be determined on a case-by-case basis for 10th-12th graders (WIAA-sanctioned sports) and for 9th-12th graders (non WIAA-sanctioned sports). If admitted to the Mercer Island School District, a nonresident student may discuss their independent circumstances with the MIHS Athletic Director or the IMS Athletic Director as appropriate.

WIAA-Sanctioned Athletics

Pursuant to RCW 28A.225.280, participation in extracurricular activities for nonresident students in grades 7 through 12 is governed by rules adopted by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA). Current WIAA eligibility guidelines for students admitted to the District pursuant to an approved Choice Transfer request stipulate the following. 

• Once enrolled, a new 7th or 8th grade nonresident student is eligible to participate in sports and activities at Islander Middle School assuming all other conditions of eligibility have been met.
• A new 9th grade nonresident student is eligible to participate in sports and activities at Mercer Island High School provided they maintain continuous enrollment and assuming all other conditions of eligibility have been met.
• A new 10th, 11th or 12th grade nonresident student may not be eligible to participate immediately in varsity-level sports at Mercer Island High School (MIHS). However, such students may be able to participate in sub-varsity competitions (e.g., junior varsity, C-team). Please refer to the WIAA guidelines for more information on varsity eligibility.

Non WIAA-Santioned Athletics
(Lacrosse, Ultimate Frisbee, Water Polo)

Lacrosse (Boys and Girls) and Water Polo are not WIAA-sanctioned sports; therefore, the ineligibility period under WIAA guidelines does not apply. However, each sport has its own governing body, and nonresident student participation in grades 9 through 12 is subject to the eligibility requirements of the governing body which oversees the respective sport. Nonresident students must also meet Mercer Island High School eligibility requirements.

Ultimate Frisbee is a club/activity and is not a sport sanctioned by WIAA and, therefore, not subject to WIAA eligibility requirements. However, nonresident student participation is subject to the eligibility requirements for each league under the sport's independent governing body. Mercer Island High School offers three Ultimate Frisbee teams - Boys (fall activity), CoEd (winter activity) and Girls (spring activity). Islander Middle School offers a mixed-gender team open to 6th, 7th and 8th graders. Nonresident students must also meet each school's eligibility requirements. 

Applications for early entrance kindergarten will be considered in accordance with Board Policy 3141. If the District is not open to new, nonresident students in this grade level, the application shall be denied unless another provision of policy provides for admission. If the student is eligible for admission, they must meet the criteria for early entrance kindergarten before a decision on their choice transfer application may be determined. This criteria includes age restrictions and assessment requirements as outlined on the District's Early Entrance Kindergarten webpage here. All assessment costs shall be borne by the family.

A nonresident student approved for early entrance under Procedure 3120 and admitted pursuant to Board Policy 3141 will receive a temporary placement for up to thirty (30) calendar days. If the District determines during the placement period that early entrance in the requested grade is not in the child’s best interest, the District may rescind the choice transfer request.

Pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and WAC 392-172A-02040, school districts are required to conduct activities designed to locate, evaluate and provide services for children with disabilities and who are in need of special education and related services. The process of locating and evaluating children with disabilities is referred to as Child Find. Child Find activities shall be conducted by a child’s resident school district. Should a Child Find screening determine that your child is eligible for services, your child shall generally be served through their resident school district. However, pursuant to Board Policy 3141, a child of an eligible District or contracted employee or an eligible City employee may qualify to receive early intervention services at a school in the district that provides such services or preschool services through the District’s Inclusive Preschool Program provided a choice transfer request is submitted annually. 

Families who are interested in having their child participate in the District's Inclusive Preschool Program as a Peer Mentor must reside on Mercer Island. Part of the application process includes the provision of documentation verifying Mercer Island residency. We encourage nonresident families to consider preschool options which may be available through their resident school district. Alternatively, families may wish to peruse the website of the Mercer Island Preschool Association if a private preschool option on the Island is of interest. The website includes a preschool directory. Link here to access.

The District considers all choice transfer applications on an equal basis and may not accept all applications. Approval of a Choice Transfer application is based on the criteria outlined in Board Policy 3141, including the following.

• Adequate classroom space, facilities and staff are available in the proper grade, instructional level or educational program being sought.
• It is anticipated that the student’s attendance, citizenship and academic progress will be satisfactory based on a review of records from the student’s previous school or schools of attendance.
• The adult student or student’s parent/guardian assumes full responsibility for adequate transportation and supervision to/from school.
• Acceptance of the student will not result in the District experiencing an undue financial hardship in light of available resources.
• The student’s disciplinary records do not indicate a history of offenses for violent or disruptive behavior or gang membership; the student does not have any criminal convictions for such offenses; and the student’s attendance at a District school would not otherwise create a health or safety hazard for other students or staff.
• The student has not been expelled or suspended from a public school for more than ten consecutive days, provided the District’s policies on the readmission of resident students who apply for readmission following suspensions or expulsions also apply to nonresident students.

• If the District has approved your choice transfer application pursuant to Board Policy 3141 and becomes aware of a change in employment status making your child ineligible for nonresident admission prior to the start of the academic year for which the request has been approved, the District may rescind the acceptance.
• If a substitute educator does not work 225 hours during the year in which their child is enrolled as a nonresident student, the District may rescind the student’s acceptance or deny an acceptance for the subsequent school year. 
• If a nonresident student does not maintain continuous, full-time enrollment (including by choosing to enroll in Running Start or online coursework) where required under Board Policy 3141, the District may rescind the student’s acceptance or deny an acceptance for the subsequent school year.
• If a nonresident student does not remain in good academic standing, fails to display regular attendance, does not have a safe transportation method to/from the District school, or fails to conform to school disciplinary standards and such issues are not resolved through conferences with administrators at the student’s school, a student may have their acceptance revoked or their application for nonresident enrollment in the subsequent academic year may be denied.
• Incomplete information or any material misrepresentation of facts by the applicant regarding application information may result in a denial of the admission request or revocation of a previously approved application.