ENROLLING IN SCHOOL IN PIERCE COUNTY

BY JULIE LEYDELMEYER

CChoosing the best academic environment for your child can seem daunting when you move to a new area. There are numerous traditional options to consider—your neighborhood public school, a charter school, or private school—in addition to currently popular options such as online programs and homeschooling.

Pierce County is home to 16 public school districts and several charter, private and religious school systems. Most of these offer online enrollment for new students on their district or school websites. In general, you’ll need the following information to complete an enrollment form:

• Name of the school you want to enroll your child

• Emergency contact information

• Healthcare provider(s) contact information

• Previous school address and phone number, if applicable

To complete your child’s enrollment, most schools will also ask parents to provide:

• Proof of immunization signed by a healthcare professional

• Proof of residence

• Parents’ photo identification

• Proof of age and legal name for the student

• Previous report cards or transcripts, if applicable

To find your Pierce County school district, go online to matterhornago.co.pierce.wa.us/infobyaddress.

Enter your address on the interactive map and then click the Additional Info tab.