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

All students in the San Mateo-Foster City School District (SM-FCSD) are assigned to a school based on their home address.  Use the District school look up tool School Finder to find your school of assignment or call the District Office at (650) 312-7700.  New student (TK-8th grade) priority registration at all schools begins February 25, 2013. 

• For the 2013-14 school year, students are eligible to enroll in Kindergarten if their 5th birthday is on or before October 1, 2013.
• Students are eligible to enroll in Transitional Kindergarten if their 5th birthday falls on or between October 2 – December 2, 2013. 

What is an intradistrict transfer?

Parents may request an intradistrict transfer to another school in the District which is not their assigned school.  Transfers will only be granted if there is room in the school and grade level requested after all attendance area students are placed.  Transfer wait list priority is established by lottery.  Parents may submit an application to no more than two schools total.  If approved, a transfer will remain in effect until the completion of the highest grade at the school as long as the student continues living in the SM-FCSD boundaries and the conditions of the transfer are upheld.  The District reserves the right to administratively revoke a transfer based on insufficient space for neighborhood children, a student’s record of academic performance, attendance, behavior or any additional factors that would negatively affect or be disruptive to 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 Transitional Kindergarten, Kindergarten & Magnet School Information Night in December.  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 a transfer request for a new incoming student MUST ALSO REGISTER that student at their school of assignment in February.  A transfer request is not a school registration and is not a guarantee of enrollment.

If you receive an approved transfer before priority registration begins on February 25, 2013 you will register at your new school.

When are transfer applications due?

The transfer application deadline is Friday, January 25, 2013 at 12:00 pm noon.  Applications may be turned in to any school office or the District Office.

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.

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

Families that apply by the deadline will be notified of lottery results by mail. Notifications will be mailed home by mid-February, before the New Student Priority Registration period.  All applications received after the application deadline will be placed on a wait list in the order in which they are received.  No notification letters will be sent for applications received after the January 25 deadline.  Waitlisted students will be contacted only if space becomes available.

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

Your child will attend their school of assignment.  Transfers will be granted only if there is room in the school and grade level requested.  All transfers will be approved before the school year begins.  No transfer requests for year-round calendar schools will be approved past July 15th or 10 days before the start of school.  No transfer requests for traditional calendar schools will be approved past August 15th or 10 days before the start of school.  All intradistrict transfer wait lists expire once the school year begins.

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.