How are students assigned to a school in the San Mateo-Foster City School District?

All students in the SM-FCSD are assigned to a school based on their home address.  Visit the District website and use the school look up tool to find your school of assignment.  Priority enrollment at all schools begins in March.  To enroll in Kindergarten, students must be 5 years old by:

• November 1, 2012 for the 2012-2013 school year
• October 1, 2013 for the 2013-2014 school year
• September 1, 2014 for the 2014-2015 school year

What is an intradistrict transfer?

Parents may request an intradistrict transfer to another school in the District, which is not their assigned school.  If approved, a transfer will remain in effect until the completion of the highest grade at the school except in the case of transfers approved for one year only.  Transfers will only be granted if there is room in the school and grade level requested after all neighborhood students are placed.  Enrollment priority is established by lottery.  Parents may submit an application to no more than three schools total.  NOTE:  All intradistrict transfers may be revoked by the District based on insufficient space for neighborhood children, a student’s record of academic performance, attendance, behavior, or any additional factors that would negatively affect the instructional program at the receiving school.

How can I find out more information about the district’s Magnet Programs?

Parents are invited to attend the Kindergarten & Magnet School Information Night in November.  During this meeting parents will receive information on required registration documentation (immunizations, proofs of address), hear an overview of our twelve innovative Magnet school programs, visit interactive booths and talk to representatives from each magnet school to learn more about our exciting programs.

Must I also register at my school of assignment if I am applying for a transfer?

Yes.  All families completing this application for a new incoming student MUST ALSO REGISTER that student at their school of assignment in March unless you are accepted to one of the four District-wide Magnet Schools – College Park, Fiesta Gardens, North Shoreview and Parkside Montessori - in which case you would register at that school.  A transfer request is not school registration and is not a guarantee of enrollment.   Students will attend their school of assignment if the transfer request is not approved.

When are transfer applications due?

Applications are due the first Friday in February at 12:00 pm noon to any District school office or the District Office.   All applications received after the February deadline will be placed on a wait list in the order in which they are received.  No notification will be sent for late applications.

How many spaces are available for transfers?

School enrollment capacity is determined annually.  Transfers will only be granted if there is room in the school and grade level requested.  Some impacted schools may not have the capacity to take transfers at any time during the year. 

When and how will I be notified of my transfer request status?

Families will be notified of lottery results by mail.  Notifications will be mailed home by the end of February.

What should I do if I’m still on a transfer waitlist and school is about to begin?

Your child should attend their school of assignment.  Transfers will be granted only if there is room in the school and grade level requested.  Some transfers may not be offered until after the school year has begun.  Waitlisted students will be notified only if space becomes available.

What are the requirements for entry into the Language Immersion Programs?

If applying to College Park or Fiesta Gardens for grades 1-5, students will need to be assessed by a teacher and the Principal to ensure that they will be able to make a successful transition into a language immersion program.  Students applying to the Abbott Middle School immersion program must have completed the elementary program at Fiesta Gardens.

What are the requirements for entry into to the Montessori Programs?

If applying to North Shoreview or Parkside Montessori programs, students entering grades 1-8 will need to be assessed by a teacher and the Principal to ensure that they will be able to make a successful transition into the Montessori program.  Middle school Montessori applicants must have already attended a Montessori elementary school.