Kent School District (Seattle, Bellevue, Federal Way: 2015, apartments, rent)

[ilovekotatsu]

So I'm a while from having to worry about this, but there's good and bad in terms of Kent schools rated via greatschools.org.

I have heard and read that if the school assigned to you is terrible or your child does not like it that you can apply for a different school within your district, as long as there is space available.

Does anyone know if this is true? The assigned school near me is a 4/10. I have a friend who's kids go there and he says it's fine. The scores are primarily brought down by the number of ESL students in the school.

After moving from Bellevue with a lot of 9 or 10/10 schools a 4 seems terrible. I was well aware of the assigned school when I moved so I can't complain now.. Just wondering if I do in fact have choices when the time comes??? Of course I know private is an option, too. Or I could just move back to Bellevue. LOL. (that's a joke... I moved from there because it is getting way too expensive to buy a house there now!)

Advice?

[ilovekotatsu]

Anyone?!

[RVD90277]

since no one else is replying...my quick thoughts and opinions.

most school districts allow this. however, the order of priority goes something like this:

1) students who have been attending the school but moved to another area of the same school district but different school assignment (so that these kids can still go to school with their friends). - usually not a problem

2) students who have siblings under #1 - usually not a problem

3) outside students who are in the same school district but assigned to a different school - might get lucky

4) outside students who are in another school district but used to go to this school - usually no space at this point

5) outside students who are in another school district - dream on, usually no space at this point

RVD.

[flyingsaucermom]

Maybe most of us C-D Seattle "regulars" with kids took the safe and easy route and kept to the "good" schools and can't give advice about Kent?

[ilovekotatsu]

Originally Posted by flyingsaucermom

Maybe most of us C-D Seattle "regulars" with kids took the safe and easy route and kept to the "good" schools and can't give advice about Kent?

Must be nice to have that option....

[ilovekotatsu]

Originally Posted by RVD90277

since no one else is replying...my quick thoughts and opinions.

most school districts allow this. however, the order of priority goes something like this:

1) students who have been attending the school but moved to another area of the same school district but different school assignment (so that these kids can still go to school with their friends). - usually not a problem

2) students who have siblings under #1 - usually not a problem

3) outside students who are in the same school district but assigned to a different school - might get lucky

4) outside students who are in another school district but used to go to this school - usually no space at this point

5) outside students who are in another school district - dream on, usually no space at this point

RVD.

Good to know! Thanks for responding

I hear stories of people renting apartments in Bellevue, etc... just to get their kids into those districts. Seems extreme!!

[mkarch]

Originally Posted by ilovekotatsu

Must be nice to have that option....

You have a couple of years to figure out what you're going to do. You could always rent out the house in Kent and rent an apartment in an area with better schools IF you are really concerned about the quality of schools.

[DevanXL]

People over blow the Kent and Southside schools. No these schools are not bellevue but you can still get a quality education. I graduated from the Federal Way PS but I had cousins and friends that graduated from Kent. My opinion is Elementary and Middle Schools usually dont differ too much depend were you are at. KM has the IB program it's just in a not so nice part of town. But the school is very diverse and a good experience. Kentwood and Kentridge are sold schools, both have robot programs and alot of opportunities for your child academically, culturally, and athletically. Honestly I think the Bellevue schools are overrated. I'm in college now and met alot of graduates from the Bellevue SD whom didn't enjoy their HS experience. They thought the Schools were overly competitive for a public school, lack of diversity, and didn't allow them to be themselves. If it weren't for all the money in those school districts, they would never be able to have all the programs and academic opportunities that they offer. Kent is a typically school district which can allow your child to have a diverse experience. As long as you stay directly involved in your child's education they should be fine! I just don't understand the southside school bashing sometimes, You everyone can live in a neighborhood were the per capita income is 6-figures.

[WAIDOR]

I found this, down at the bottom it talks about transferring in district.

Student Transfers / Student Transfer Process 2014-2015

Also look to see if losing the state's No Child Left Behind Waiver will provide transfer options. It did at my son's school.

[joyinthejourney]

last year my kids went to a 6/10 elementary school when we moved from CA to WA. I was very concerned but they had a GREAT year. teachers and staff were so caring (which at that age is one of the most important things). now i'm in redmond and while their school here is a 9/10, i do miss their school from last year. It's different (MUCH more parental involvement here, lots more extracurricular activities and social events) but i think for elementary, a low rated school is OK as long as the teachers are good.