Apply and Enroll

How can we submit an application? 

Online applications may be submitted at apply.avela.org/spps where you may also use Explore to identify your community and area schools and gain information on transportation availability. Paper applications are also accepted.

What happens if I submit more than one application? 

Your school choices from the last application submitted will be used for enrollment processing.

When will we be notified of our school placement? 

Families submitting applications by the February 20, 2026 priority deadline will receive notice of acceptance (or placement on a waiting list) in late March or early April.

If my child is currently enrolled in a school and will continue through the remaining grade levels, do we need to reapply? 

No. Your child may stay at his/her current school.

If we decide to apply to a different school, will my child lose their place at their current school? 

Your child will not lose placement at their current school simply by applying to a new school, but they may lose placement if you are accepted to a new school. If you change your mind about leaving your current school, you will need to decline the acceptance of your new school. Notify the Student Placement Center by the date listed on the acceptance notification. Please note there may no longer be space available to return to your previous school.

Can families who do not live in St. Paul apply to Saint Paul Public Schools? 

Yes. Under Minnesota’s open enrollment law, families can apply to PreK-12 schools that are not located in their home school district. Space availability and school district policies still apply.

How can we improve our chances of getting into a particular school?

• Apply by the February 20, 2026 priority application deadline.
• NOTE Living within the school’s identified boundary provides priority over students living outside the specified Area.

Do I have a greater opportunity of getting my first choice school if I apply earlier than the deadline? 

No. All applications received by the priority deadline are treated equally and processed based on the admission priorities.

Is my child guaranteed acceptance to one of my school choices listed on the application? 

No. Many schools receive more applications than they can accept. If your choices typically have limited space or receive a large number of applications, your chances of being accepted to one of those schools are reduced. To increase your chances of getting one of your schools of choice, consider listing your Community School as one of your options.

What if we moved into the school district after the priority application deadline? 

Students are enrolled throughout the school year. Meeting the priority deadline is simply the best way to increase your chances of getting your preferred school. The Student Placement Center is open year-round and works with families individually to help them choose schools. To schedule an appointment, call the Student Placement Center at 651-632-3760.

How old does my child have to be to attend school? 

Children who are five years old on or before September 1, 2026 are eligible to attend kindergarten during the 2026-27 school year. Children must be four years old on or before September 1, 2026 to be eligible for the pre- kindergarten program during the 2026-27 school year.

What if my child is not five years old by September 1, but I want him or her to attend school in 2026-27? 

Some children may be ready for kindergarten before they turn five years old. If your child was born between September 2 and December 31, 2021 they may be tested for early admission to kindergarten. The testing process for early admission to kindergarten assesses children who clearly show above-average cognitive skills and above-average large and small-motor skills. Please contact the Student Placement Center for details, times and dates. NOTE: The deadline for applying for the Early Admission to Kindergarten Screening is Friday, February 20, 2026.

If I live in St. Paul, is my child guaranteed a spot at a Saint Paul Public School? 

Yes, for kindergarten through grade 12. The Student Placement Center works with families to find a place for every St. Paul student. When Pre-K classes are full, a wait list is maintained and families are contacted when and if a spot becomes available. Certain priorities may affect your student's admission to specific schools. Please review the School Placement Criteria.

Do I have to provide verification of my address? 

You may be asked to provide verification of your address. This will be used to coordinate enrollment eligibility and bus transportation. Verification materials can include but are not limited to state issued ID or driver’s license and a utility bill in the parent/guardian’s name at the address listed on the application.

If I have a child that is not currently enrolled in Saint Paul Public Schools, will they automatically be enrolled at a school where their siblings attend? 

No. An application is required for all students who are new to and/or not currently enrolled in Saint Paul Public Schools.

What is a Community School "Zone"? 

To ensure that families living near Community Schools have a stronger chance of admittance, SPPS created Elementary Community School Zones. These geographic boundaries give priority to students living within these boundaries. Students living within Community School Zones have a better chance for admission to their Community School by submitting an application by February 20, 2026.

Community School Zones were drawn to:

• Cause the least disruption to students/families
• Encourage integration of schools
• Adhere to building capacity
• Align with existing neighborhood boundaries, such as railroad tracks, bodies of water and large green spaces

What is an "Area"? 

Areas are the six geographic Areas (A-F1/F2) across the district. Areas remain unchanged from the past year. All Areas can be seen on the maps in the School Selection Guide or by using Explore.

What are “articulations” and community school pathways? How do they help you get into a school? 

District and Area magnet schools have specialized learning programs or courses of study that “articulate,” or carry a student from elementary to middle and high school, such as aerospace and language immersion. Program prerequisites and district enrollment policies will apply, especially at the high school level – and should be considered. Based on home addresses, community school pathways carry students through elementary, middle and high schools within their Area. Students who choose to apply to their Community School have a better chance of getting into that school.

If I choose a school outside my Area and do not get in, will I automatically have a spot at my Community School? 

No. Students have two choices on the school application and should list their Community School as one of their options if also applying to a school outside of their Area. Nothing is automatic or guaranteed. Students need to apply and/or contact Student Placement for other options.

If we live outside of, but near, an Area where my child wants to attend high school, can she/he get priority for available seats? 

No. Geographic proximity does not affect acceptance at the high school level.

Do I have to follow the school pathways designated for my community? 

No, these are merely an option that affords your child the opportunity to school with other children in your neighborhood. Families have the option of a school other than their Community School if there is space and the student meets other school-specific requirements. Transportation is not provided to Community Schools that are outside your Area. Community Schools provide a clear pathway from kindergarten through high school.

If my child attends a Regional or District Magnet (articulated/specialized learning program) outside our Area, will a seat be reserved for him/her at the next program level? 

Yes. The student will not need to apply; a seat will be reserved for him/her.

Can my child attend an elementary Community School that is outside our Area? 

You may apply to attend a Community School outside of your Area. However, bus transportation is not provided.

Can my student attend the elementary school nearest to our daycare rather than our Area school? 

Yes, parents who want their child to attend school near their daycare can apply to a school located within the same Area. Acceptance is not guaranteed, however.

If my child attends a school outside my Area, can my child get on a bus if I drop them off at the bus stop that serves that school? 

No. If your student is accepted to a school outside your Area, you must provide your own transportation. While it might seem like an easy fix, students cannot ride the bus to schools to which they are not eligible for transportation.

Can we attend an International Baccalaureate (IB) school outside our Area? Will we get a bus? Will out-of-Area IB students be accepted? 

Students who are interested in an IB program outside their Area may apply, but will be accepted only if space is available. Even if they are accepted, they will not receive bus transportation.

What are priorities? 

Priorities define different levels of eligibility for acceptance to a school. Please refer to the School Placement Criteria.

What does "sibling priority" mean in relation to the application process? 

Sibling priority allows families a greater opportunity for their children to attend school together. To receive sibling priority, a family must have had a child enrolled in the requested school during the 2024-25 school year who will continue to be at that school in 2025-26.

    ဝံသးစူၤပာ်သူၣ်ပာ်သး :

• Sibling priority does not guarantee acceptance into a school.
• Siblings are defined as children who have the same parent or guardian and are living together at the same address.
• Enrollment priorities and school capacity are taken into consideration before sibling priority.

If one of my students is in the school's highest grade this year, is my younger child guaranteed a spot at the school next year? 

No. The older student who is currently enrolled in the school must be attending that school next year in order for sibling priority to apply to the younger student.

What happens if I do not receive a confirmation of my online application? 

First, remember to enter an email address and click on "Submit" on the last page of the online application (the same page with the electronic signature). Next, check your spam or junk folder in your email. Finally, if you still do not receive a confirmation of your online application, please contact the Student Placement Center at 651-632-3760 to verify that the application was received.

What happens when my child is accepted to SPPS? 

Families will receive a letter and/or email of notification. A student can be registered at only one school for the coming school year.

What happens if my student isn't accepted into one of the schools we selected? 

Your student’s name will be placed on a waiting list according to school choice guidelines. If there is an opening, you will be called and given the opportunity to enroll your child in that school. To learn about other enrollment options, please call the Student Placement Center at 651-632-3760.

What is a waiting list? 

Waiting lists are created for schools and programs that receive more applications than they have seats available. Your first choice will be considered and matched first, whenever possible. 

Students will only be added to a waiting list for their first choice school. Waiting lists apply if:

• Space is not available for either their first or second choice OR
• The student is accepted to their second choice school.

The lists will expire two weeks after the start of the school year for most schools and programs. (Exceptions include Pre-K programs, elementary language immersion programs and Capitol Hill Gifted and Talented.)

Can my child’s name be on more than one waiting list? 

No, students can be on only one waiting list. This applies to your child’s first choice school.

If we reside close to a school, are we automatically accepted? 

No. Your priority at a particular school is based on whether you reside in that school’s Area (A-F1/F2), and not geographic proximity.

• Space is not available for either their first or second choice school OR 
• The student is accepted to their second choice school 

The lists will expire two weeks after the start of the school year for most schools and programs. Exceptions include Pre-K programs, elementary language immersion programs and Capitol Hill Gifted and Talented.