Changing Your Mind About a School Transfer?

If your child is already attending a school through an approved transfer, but you’ve decided you’d prefer they attend your neighborhood school instead, here’s what to do:

Step 1: Contact the Approved School
Reach out to the school your child was transferred to. Let them know you’d like to cancel the transfer and return to your neighborhood school.

Step 2: Schools Will Coordinate
The approved school and your neighborhood school will work together behind the scenes to make sure your child’s enrollment is updated correctly.

Canceling a Transfer Request Before Your Child Starts School

If your child is not currently attending the school you requested through a transfer, and you’ve decided to cancel the request, here’s what to do:

Step 1: Contact Student Placement Services
Call Student Placement Services at 206-631-3065 to cancel your transfer request.

What happens next?
Once you contact us, we’ll cancel the request.  

Submitted a Transfer After the Deadline? Here’s What to Expect.
If you submitted an in-district transfer request after the official transfer window closed, here’s what you need to know:

Response Timeline
You can expect to receive a status update after the school year begins. Late requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and may take additional time.

What You Can Do

• Make sure your contact information is up to date.
• Watch for email or mail notification from Student Placement Services.

Do I Need to Reapply for a Transfer Every Year?

No.
If your child is attending a school through an approved in-district transfer, you do not need to reapply each year. The transfer remains valid through the highest grade level at the requested school. 

Example: If your child transferred to a K–5 elementary school, the transfer is valid through 5th grade. You’ll only need to submit a new request if you want to transfer again or when your child moves to middle school. 

What If I Don’t Have All the Required Documents?

Yes. If you don’t have all the required documents when submitting your transfer request, you can still apply.

What happens if you do not submit all documents based on the reason you've selected? You risk receiving a "denial" notification to your request. If this should occur, you may appeal the denial and submit all required documents for further review. Unfortunately, you cannot appeal a "no capacity" denial due to space restraints at the requested school.

What to Do
Just explain your situation in the transfer request form.
If you should need further support, please feel free to contact: Student.Placement@highlineschools.org

Students that are assigned to an Elementary Dual Language school based on their address may opt to enroll their child to attend the English-only neighborhood partner school.  In order to be eligible for a Dual Language Opt Out transfer, the family must reside in one of the following school service areas: Hazel Valley, Hilltop, Madrona, Midway, Mount View. 
Families wishing to opt out of Dual Language must review information about the Dual Language Program, its structure and benefits on this Dual Language Enrollment webpage. For more information on your neighborhood school please visit the Dual Language Elementary Enrollment webpage here.