Welcome to the Early School Choice Permit Process. As we plan for our 2027-2028 school reconfiguration across our district, we are offering Early School Choice for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year. This option is for families impacted by future school closures and boundary changes who wish to have their students transition early to their new 2026-2027 school assignment.
Key Dates & Deadlines
Early School Choice Permit Application Window: April 28, 2026 – May 15, 2026
Acceptance Deadline: June 17, 2026
Do I need to Take Action?
To STAY at your student’s current school for the next school year (2026-2027):
No action is needed.
To have your student attend a DIFFERENT school next school year (2026-2027):
You must complete the Early School Choice Permit process application process below during the application window.
View the Future: Find the 2027-2028 Boundaries to see how future changes may affect your student. This site is being updated. Please select Scenario 2. We are working with Linn County to remove Scenario 1.
Who Does NOT Need to Apply?
You can skip this process if any of the following apply to your student:
Existing Permits: If your student is already attending a school on a permit and that school is not scheduled for closure, their permit remains valid. No renewal is necessary.
Magnet Schools: Students currently attending a Magnet school via the lottery system or were just accepted to enroll in the fall of 2026 do not need to apply for a permit to remain at their current school.
No Change Desired: If you want your student to stay at their current school for the 2026-27 year and their boundaries are not changing, no action is required.
How to Apply
To apply for an Early School Choice Permit Process application, please complete the online form for EACH individual student. Ensure that your current school office has your most recent address and Proof of Residency before you apply to avoid any processing delays with your application.
Required Information:
- 1st and 2nd choice of requested schools.
- Selection of qualifying priority factors.
- Note: Special review is required for students with an IEP or Foster/Homeless status.
Priority Level Rankings
Applications received during the Early In-District Permit window are reviewed based on the following weighted criteria. Please note that all placements are contingent upon building capacity as verified by school principals.
| Priority Level | Category | Description / Example |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | School Closure | Students whose current school is closing and would like to move to their future 2027-28 school early |
| Level 2 | Boundary Change | Students affected by the boundary changes and would like to remain at their current school |
| Level 3 | District Staff | Students who have a parent/guardian employed at the requested school |
| Level 4 | Sibling Preference | Students with siblings (who live in the same household) enrolled at the requested school |
| Level 5 | General Interest | All other requests |
Essential Policies
Hard Cap Policy: To maintain equitable class sizes, building capacities are final. No additional seats will be created once a grade level hits its verified cap.
Transportation: The District does NOT provide transportation for school choice permits.
Families are solely responsible for travel to and from the school.
Eligibility Verification: Priority levels are subject to audit. Inaccurate priority claims (e.g., claiming a school closure that is not on the official list) will result in the application being moved to the bottom of the priority list.
Waitlist Expiration: Waitlists remain active until the 10th day of the 2026-2027 school year, after which they expire to ensure classroom stability.
Permit Duration: Once confirmed, a permit remains in effect through the highest grade of that building and follows the standard feeder path, provided you remain a district resident.
Notification of Status
By the end of May 2026, Families who applied for an Early School Choice Permit will receive an email stating the status of their application, including
- Application Approved: You must confirm your acceptance by June 17.
- Waitlisted: You are placed on a list in priority order because no capacity exists at the requested building/grade level for the 2026-2027 school year.