Preferences define groups of people who have first eligibility for acceptance into a school. There are three types of preferences: sibling preference (all schools except Capitol Hill), attendance area preference (based on students who live in a school’s attendance area) and zone preference (Crossroads, EXPO, J.J. Hill, Linwood, Nokomis, Phalen Lake, Rondo.) Except for the attendance area preference, preferences apply only to the school listed as the first choice on on-time applications.
What does sibling preference mean in relation to the application process?
Sibling preference allows families a greater opportunity for their children to attend school together. To receive sibling preference, a family must:
- Have had a child enrolled in the requested school during 2007-08 who will continue on at that school in 2008-09
- List that school as the first choice on the sibling’s application
- Submit the application on time
- Live within the Saint Paul Public Schools district boundaries
Please Note:
- Siblings are defined as children who have the same parent or guardian and are living together at the same address
- Sibling preference applies only to first choice schools on applications received on time by March 7, 2008 (elementary), or February 29, 2008 (secondary)
- Sibling preference does not apply to Capitol Hill
- Enrollment guidelines for capacity and area preferences are taken into consideration before sibling preference
Who is considered a sibling?
School board policy states that siblings are children with the same parent or guardian living together at the same address. A student would have preference for acceptance into a school if his or her sibling is currently enrolled in the school and both students would be enrolled next year. Sibling preference only applies to the first-choice school listed on applications received by the application deadline.
Does sibling preference mean all my children will be accepted to a Magnet/ citywide option school at the same time?
No. The family must first have a child already enrolled in the program. Other guidelines such as available space and attendance area preferences are taken into consideration before sibling preference.
Does sibling preference apply if I live outside of the school district?
No. According to school board policy, sibling preference does not apply to students who live outside of the Saint Paul Public School District.
If one of my children is in the school’s highest grade this year is my younger child guaranteed a spot at the school next year?
No. The older child who is currently enrolled in the school must be attending the same school next year in order for sibling preference to apply for the younger child.
How can we improve our chances of getting into a particular magnet/citywide option or secondary specialty school?
Two things help:
- Apply by the deadline. February 29, 2008, is the deadline to apply to middle schools, junior high schools and senior high schools. March 7, 2008, is the deadline for applying to elementary magnet/citywide option schools. On-time applications are handled before late applications.
- Apply when your child will be entering the youngest grade level offered by the school. This is the time when the most openings are available.
Living in the attendance area of a magnet or specialty school also gives you preference over other students, although space availability and other school district and state policies may limit enrollment in a particular magnet or specialty school. Because of expected large enrollments for grades 9-12 in 2008-2009, parents of students entering high school are encouraged to indicate their child’s attendance area school as their first or second choice on the application.
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