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Seattle Public Schools faces community backlash over wait lists, staff warn major shifts would ripple through dozens of schools
Summary
Hundreds of parents and students urged changes to enrollment and wait-list policies at the April 23 Seattle School Board meeting, arguing the districtis keeping spots empty while families sit on lists; staff warned abruptly moving wait lists would require staffing and course changes across many schools.
Hundreds of parents, students and advocates told the Seattle School District No. 1 board on April 23 that wait lists and enrollment caps are leaving families without promised options and pushing some to leave the district.
Speakers from across the city described long wait lists for neighborhood and option schools, dual-language programs and highly capable (HC) cohorts, and said the districtsometimes refuses to fill open seats even when classrooms have space.
The Feb. to-May choice window and the districts assignment process were the focus of the meetings public testimony. Parents and student speakers said the districts current approach favors stability at some small schools but hurts families seeking programs such as dual-language immersion, advanced math and option-school programs. Several speakers said the result is families leaving SPS.
"We have to enroll families in interested schools that have physical space to…
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