Due to overcrowding and high enrollment, not every school in the Puyallup School District is open for in-district and non-resident transfers. Please see the following lists of closed schools for the current year and for the upcoming 2020-21 school year (these lists are subject to change).

If you submit a non-resident application for a school that is closed, it will be denied, unless your student meets one of the criteria for an exception, as described below.

The following exceptions may apply:

-Siblings of a student currently attending and returning to the same school for the 2020-21 school year

-Children of district employees

-Non-resident transfer renewals (students continuing at their current school)

The Puyallup School District allows for students living outside the district to request a waiver to attend school in this district. The Non-Resident Application for Enrollment must be submitted annually with an approved Release of Attendance or Choice Transfer form from the resident district.

Out-of-District Waiver Criteria

Non-resident applications are considered on a first-come, first-served basis and are based on the following criteria:

- There is adequate capacity in the school (acceptance of the transfer should not cause a hardship on resident students)
- The student demonstrates regular attendance, academic effort, and conformance with school disciplinary standards.
- The parent is willing and able to provide timely transportation.
- The school offers a program suitable to meet the educational and other needs of the student.
- The request does not cause a financial burden to the Puyallup School District.

If the student does not meet these criteria, the principal will communicate expectations to the parent and student, and the out-of-district waiver may be revoked.

Application Due Dates:

Secondary: Junior high or high school applications for the next school year will not be accepted before December 10 (applications submitted before this time will be automatically denied). For optimal consideration for the next school year, submit the Secondary Non-Resident Application for Enrollment by January 10. Parents will be notified of acceptance or denial of the application by February 28. Additional due dates for review are April 10 and June 1. Applications submitted after the third due date in June may not be considered until after the fourth day of school in September.

Elementary:  Elementary school applications for the next school year will not be accepted before February 14 (applications submitted before this time will be automatically denied). For optimal consideration for the next school year, submit the Elementary Non-Resident Application for Enrollment by March 1. Parents will be notified of acceptance or denial of the application by April 15.  Additional due dates are May 1 and June 15. Applications submitted after the third due date in June may not be considered until after the fourth day of school in September.

Application Procedure

The following is the procedure for applying for an out-of-district waiver. Applications must be fully complete to be considered received.

1. Obtain a Release of Attendance form from the resident district or submit a Choice Transfer form to the resident district.

2. Complete the Non-Resident Application for Enrollment, which is available for download in the Application forms section below on this page. Applications are also available at district school offices and at the Puyallup School District Education Service Center.

3. For first-time applicants, the following items are required (the parent/guardian has a right to receive copies of these items and the Puyallup School District will not request these records on behalf of the parent/guardian): 

   1. Transcript
   2. Immunization record
   3. Previous school discipline record (if there are no discipline issues, provide a signed and dated statement from the previous school indicating that there are no discipline issues)
   4. Attendance record
   5. State assessment records
   6. Kindergarten: A copy of the child's birth certificate and immunizations

Submit the application, the release, and the necessary additional information by the due date to:

Puyallup School District
Attention:  Stacie Estrada
Education Service Center
302 Second Street SE
Puyallup, WA 98372

Application Forms

Secondary Current School Year (2019-20)
2019-20 Secondary Non-Resident Application for Enrollment
2019-20 Secondary Non-Resident Application for Enrollment (Spanish)

Secondary Next School Year (2020-21)
2020-21 Secondary Non-Resident Application for Enrollment
2020-21 Secondary Non-Resident Application for Enrollment (Spanish)

Elementary Current School Year (2019-20)
2019-20 Elementary Non-Resident Application for Enrollment
2019-20 Elementary Non-Resident Application for Enrollment (Spanish)

Elementary Next School Year (2020-21)
2020-21 Elementary Non-Resident Application for Enrollment
2020-21 Elementary Non-Resident Application for Enrollment (Spanish)

Appeals

Parents have the right to appeal a waiver application that is denied. A letter should be submitted to Stacie Estrada within five business days of receipt of the notification. The appeal will be forwarded to the regional Chief Academic Officer for review and a meeting or phone call shall be held within fifteen school business days after receipt of the request.  A written decision will then be issued.

Submit completed waiver application packets or send requests for appeal to the following address or email: estrasl@puyallup.k12.wa.us.

Puyallup School District
Attention:  Stacie Estrada
Education Service Center
302 Second Street SE 
Puyallup, WA 98372