If you have a child who turns 5 years old before August 31, here's what you need to know about enrolling in Shoreline Schools.

• Kindergarten in Shoreline is FREE!

• Register online at ssd412.org/enroll or through your neighborhood school

• Open enrollment for the 2026-27 school year runs January 31 - February 27, 2026.

  • If enrolled by February 27 at 3:00pm, you will receive priority placement at your neighborhood school and be eligible for the lottery.

  • We will continue to accept enrollments after this date.

• To keep kindergarten class sizes small, there is a possibility that your student may not attend your neighborhood school. Kindergarten students with siblings at their neighborhood school are guaranteed placement at that school. A lottery for kindergarten placement in your neighborhood school is held on March 4.

• If your child’s name is not drawn in the lottery for your neighborhood school, your child will still attend kindergarten in Shoreline School District and their name will be placed on a waitlist for spots that open up at your neighborhood school. What families need to know:

  • You will be notified which nearby elementary your child will attend as soon as possible.

  • Bus transportation will be provided.

  • If space becomes available in your neighborhood school before the start of the school year, placement will be offered in waitlist drawing order. 

  • Your child will return to your neighborhood school for first grade.

• Cascade K-8 Community School and the Spanish Dual Language program at Briarcrest Elementary School are choice programs. If interested, you must first register at your neighborhood school, then apply to these programs separately. Their lottery drawing is held on March 2. Contact each school for more information.

• Required registration documents and information:

  • Proof of age, such as a religious, hospital, or physician’s certificate showing date of birth; an entry in a family bible; an adoption record; an affidavit from a parent; a birth certificate; or previously verified school records, or other legal means of verification.

  • Immunization records (WA records available at myIRmobile.com)

  • Proof of address, such as a current utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement

  • Emergency contact names and phone numbers

  • Phone number for your child’s doctor

• Washington State law requires that students must be 5 years old by August 31, 2026, to qualify for Kindergarten. Children whose birthday falls between September 1 and October 31 may, however, qualify for Early Entrance. Parents are responsible for having their child evaluated by a Washington State-licensed psychologist. Find more information on the Shoreline School District Early Entrance page.

• If you would like your child to attend a school other than your neighborhood school, first enroll in your neighborhood school, then submit an Resident Transfer Request form to your desired school. If your transfer request is granted, you are responsible for your child’s transportation to the chosen school.

• If you don’t live in Shoreline or Lake Forest Park but would like your child to attend Shoreline Schools, first request a release from your home district (called a Choice Transfer Request), then enroll at your desired Shoreline school. We will begin considering out-of-district requests on March 9, based on available space. You are responsible for your child’s transportation to the chosen school.

Do you have a child who will be 5 years old by August 31?
If so, then Kinderfest is for you!

Kinderfest 2026

• Saturday, January 31, 2026
• 10 am - 12 pm
• Shoreline Center, North Entrance
• 18560 1st Ave. NE, Shoreline

Kinderfest is an opportunity to meet and ask questions of principals and staff of all elementary schools, Cascade K-8 School, and the Home Education Exchange. You can also learn about: Transportation, Food and Nutrition, Multilingual Learners, Student Services, Highly Capable Program, School Nurses, PTA, and YMCA Child Care.
 
Superintendent Susana Reyes will give a welcome address to kick off at 10 am.

Spanish, Amharic, Korean, Mandarin, and Vietnamese interpreters will be present.