Enrolling in or withdrawing from Tacoma Public Schools
Tacoma Schools educate up to age 21 in a variety of programs aimed at making them lifetime learners. Here are the steps to enroll your child in the district:
Enrolling your child in kindergarten or first grade for the first time?
A student entering school for the first time must be five years old before September 1 for kindergarten or six years old before September 1 for first grade.
Tacoma Public Schools offer students who first enter elementary a choice of any school provided space is available. Elementary parents/guardians must provide transportation if their student chooses a school other than the neighborhood school.
Go to your neighborhood school to enroll. If you do not know the name of your neighborhood school or have questions call Enrollment Services at 571-1142 with your home address. They will give you your primary school of assignment which is considered your neighborhood school.
Are you new to Tacoma and need to enroll your child?
Determine the grade of your child based on past educational experience.
Go to your neighborhood school to enroll. If you do not know the name of your neighborhood school or have questions call Enrollment Services at 571-1142 with your home address. They will give you your primary school of assignment which is considered your neighborhood school.
Tacoma Public Schools offer students who first enter elementary, middle school or high school a choice of any school provided space is available. Elementary parents/guardians must provide transportation if their student chooses a school other than the neighborhood school. Middle school and high school parents/guardians must provide transportation unless the student can get to a bus stop for their designated school
Are you moving?
If you are moving within the boundaries of the Tacoma School District you may stay at your current school but you will become responsible for transportation to and from school. Please notify your resident school of any change of address.
If you are moving outside of the Tacoma School District and wish to stay at your current school of attendance you must follow the procedure below for non-resident admission.
If you are moving out of state or out of the country, please withdraw your student from school at your current school of attendance.
Do you reside within the boundaries of another school district and wish to attend a Tacoma Public School?
Non-resident enrollees require permission from their district of residence. Permission must be granted annually. Contact Enrollment Services at 253-571-1142
Please complete the Non-Resident Enrollment Application, obtain a release of attendance from your resident district, and provide your student’s birth certificate, immunization record, and withdrawal forms or report cards from their last school.
We do ask for social security numbers in order to follow students in their post-secondary pursuits, i.e., TPS would be notified that 20 graduates were in military service
Are you wishing to attend another school outside of the Tacoma School District?
We strongly encourage families to attend their neighborhood school. Research shows that strong neighborhood schools are an essential part of a vibrant and healthy community.
Whether you are wishing to attend another school in another district or pursue a G.E.D. or some other path to high school completion, please complete a Release Request for Transfer to a Non-Resident District. Contact the building principal for a withdrawal conference at your student’s last school of attendance to obtain a signature on your release form.
If you are seeking a renewal for a previously granted release, please contact the building principal for a withdrawal conference at your student’s last school of attendance to obtain a signature on your release form.
Are you considering attending an online or virtual school?