2 school districts restrict transfers

By ERIC STEVICK

Herald Writer

At least two Snohomish County school districts will close doors at some campuses to students who want to transfer between schools within the districts next year.

Two high schools and two elementaries in the Edmonds School District won’t accept new transfers, while seven of 10 of Marysville School District’s elementaries are likely to do the same.

In the Edmonds School District, where enrollment has leveled off in recent years, the limits are aimed at providing instruction that more closely matches the ideal space capacities of each school.

Edmonds has traditionally been an open-enrollment district where students can attend schools outside their neighborhood on a space-available basis. The district recently began defining exactly what "space available" means at each school, placing an emphasis on ensuring quality instructional space.

Edmonds-Woodway and Mountlake Terrace high schools, along with Seaview and College Place elementaries, have been closed to new transfers for next year.

The decision won’t affect students who have been approved for transfers from previous years. However, attendance at a district school does not guarantee that the student will move on to attend a middle or high school in the same service area.

"We are putting some parameters around the in-district transfer," said Marla Miller, the district’s director of business, support and technology. "We will still encourage it as long as there is room in the school."

District officials also provide a warning to families considering in-district transfers: Once a transfer is approved, space will not be held at the releasing school.

The International Baccalaureate Program at Edmonds-Woodway High, Madrona Nongraded K-8, Maplewood Co-op and Cyberschool are district programs of choice that are accepting applications for the 2001-2002 school year. Applications will be available Jan. 3 at school offices and are due by Feb. 9 for high schools and March 2 for middle schools.

In Marysville, the in-district transfer limits are more a reaction to growing enrollment.

"It’s pretty safe to say that there are really only a handful of schools that are going to have some space for in-district transfers," said Mary Fears, spokeswoman for the Marysville School District.

Elementary schools expected to have some room for in-district transfer students next year are Liberty, Shoultes and Tulalip. Pinewood could take additional kindergarten students only.

Students who have previously approved transfers would not be affected.

"The flexibility is gone," Fears said. "Our whole secondary system is just as tight as it can be, and now it’s coming down into our elementary school levels."

The open enrollment period in Marysville is from Jan. 3 to Feb. 15.

Choice programs, such as the Tulalip Heritage School, 10th Street School and the Marysville Parent Co-op, will continue to accept applications.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Hundreds rally against Trump on Presidents Day in Everett

People lined Broadway with signs and flags, similar to other protests across the country

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Lynnwood councilor Joshua Binda speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Does the Lynnwood Council VP live in Lynnwood? It’s hard to say.

Josh Binda’s residency has been called into question following an eviction and FEC filings listing an Everett address. He insists he lives in Lynnwood.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.