Back to School 2024-25
Seattle Public Schools (SPS) welcomes our students, staff, and families back to school!
Opportunity begins here! The start of the school year is a time of fresh beginnings and renewed energy. From our youngest scholars to the senior class, our goal is to help all students explore their possibilities in learning spaces where they feel safe, seen, and heard.
School leaders, teachers, and staff are busily preparing to welcome students back to school on Wednesday, Sept. 4.
Get the 2024-25 school year off to a great start by being prepared with the information you need!
Calendar and Important Dates
First Day of School
- 1st-12th grade students Wednesday, Sept. 4
- Preschool and kindergarten students Monday, Sept. 9
The first day of school is not an early release Wednesday. Early release will occur every Wednesday except for the first week of school.
Find all school year dates, school day start and end times, and more!
Laptop Distribution and Device Policy Updates
To support classroom learning, testing, and the possibility of remote learning, every student will be issued an SPS device. We’re pleased to announce that, once again, SPS will not be collecting an upfront fee for repairs on student devices this year.
Starting this year, only SPS-provided devices will be allowed in the classroom. Personal devices may still be used outside of classroom learning.
Each school will inform families and students of their specific laptop distribution schedule.
If you still have a hotspot from the previous school year or from summer school, these hotspots will soon be disabled. Read more updates about SPS student devices for the new school year.
Payments and Student Fees
Families can use SchoolPay to make online payments for athletic fees, pay fines, and make purchases such as yearbooks or ASB cards. Log in to your Source account to access your student’s SchoolPay account.
SchoolPay Transaction Fee: Starting Thursday, Aug. 29, SPS will introduce a transaction fee for all payments made through SchoolPay. This fee helps offset the costs of providing this simple online payment service. Learn more about this change.
High School Athletics: This school year, SPS is introducing a new voluntary fee for high school sports to help cover rising costs like transportation and officials.
The voluntary fee is $200 per student per sport, with a maximum of $400 per year for multi-sport participation. Students can still participate in sports even if families choose not to pay. Learn more about the new voluntary athletic fees for high school sports.
Health Services
Ensure a healthy start to the school year by reviewing the district’s health services reminders for the start of school. If your student has a life-threatening health condition (e.g., Diabetes, Asthma), they must have medication and healthcare orders on file.
If you received a letter from Health Services about vaccines your student needs for school, please make sure they receive the immunization. Read more about immunizations required for students.
Student Meals
Every day, SPS offers a nutritionally balanced breakfast and lunch for our students! We are excited to announce several updates to our school meal program for the 2024-25 school year!
New Tools: This year, we’re introducing MySchoolApps, an easy online application for free and reduced meals, and MySchoolBucks, a convenient platform for paying for school meals online. MealViewer gives families access to school menus and nutritional information at their fingertips. Read more about school meals for students and each of these new tools.
Your Role in School Safety
SPS is committed to enhancing safety and well-being in our schools. As part of that commitment, we’re expanding partnerships to prevent violence and continuing vital health services.
Keeping students safe takes all of us—students, families, staff, and community partners. Here are a few reminders that will help ensure the new school year gets off to a safe start:
- Keep your contact information updated to receive emergency notifications via phone, email, and text. You can update your emergency contacts on the Student Data Verification form starting in September.
- Report any safety concerns through the Safe Schools Hotline (206-252-0510) or the “Seattle Public Schools” app.
- All school visitors and volunteers should check in at the front office.
Read more about safety and wellness updates for this school year.
Back to School Checklist
Please click the following sections below for general back-to-school information provided by the district. Additionally, please check with your student’s school for specific information.
New Student Enrollment
Will your child be 5 by August 31? Will your family be new residents of Seattle? Then it’s time to enroll for next school year.
Learn more about enrollment
Student School Assignment Lookup Tool
Students may apply to attend a school other than their attendance area school through School Choice. To view assignment information using The Student Assignment Lookup Tool.
You will need the student’s identification number and birth date to use the student assignment lookup tool. You can find your student’s ID number by signing in to The Source.
Have you moved? If you have recently moved it is important to update your address with Seattle Public Schools. If you do not update your address with the Admissions department, it may result in your student(s) being dropped at the end of the school year.
Read SPS student assignment and family move rules.
Child Find
Child Find is a process to locate, identify and evaluate any child from birth to age 21 with an established or suspected disability. Early identification of disabilities assists parents, students, and schools in the design of appropriate educational services and supports. Read more about Child Find.
504-2 Survey to Identify Students with Disabilities
Additional Services for Students Find information and links to many services that special education students may access, related topics, and related departments.
Complete the Student Data Verification form Sept. 4-30, 2024
The student data verification form enables parents and guardians to update their household and student information online. This form includes the important student health information, emergency and family contact information, and much more.
To access, log in to your Source account and select Student Data Verification form from the navigation menu.
Please note: student emergency and family contact information is also collected on the Student Data Verification Form, which is available during the month of September on the Source.
Under FERPA, SPS may disclose appropriately designated “directory information,” unless you notify SPS in writing that you do not want the information released in accordance with the procedures outlined on the FERPA form.
If a parent/guardian would like to exclude a student’s information under FERPA, which includes district photography and video, they must complete and submit the FERPA form to their student’s school by October 1.
PreK, Elementary, K-8, Middle
Notice of anticipated 2024-25 Surveys and parent/guardian rights
Anticipated 2024-25 surveys include:
- Check Yourself
- Student Climate Surveys
- Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire
Read more about the surveys and options for parents/guardians 2024-25 Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment Annual Notification of Rights.
Schedule immunization and physical appointments with your healthcare provider as needed. Check your student’s vaccination records or contact your health care provider to be sure your student has received all their required vaccines.
If you received a letter from Health Services about vaccines your student needs for school, please make sure they receive the immunization(s) listed in the letter. Send the immunization record to the school nurse or have your health care provider fax the record to the nurse. Learn more about student immunization requirements.
Authorization for Medications Taken at School and other Health Services forms are found on the department page.
Annual Student Health Information
This form is also available in The Source through the Student Data Verification Form.
HPV Immunization
Washington State law requires that parents/guardians of students in grade 6th-12th be provided information about Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and the availability of a vaccine.
2024-25 High School Course Registration Introduction
New this year, Seattle Public Schools created a document to help students and families navigate the high school course registration process!
The introduction guide is designed to help students and families make informed decisions as students plan for high school classes and beyond. This information is a complement to the information provided by high school counseling teams.
College and Career Planning with Naviance
Naviance is used to support our students in middle and high schools and their families. With Naviance, students can explore college and career paths, analyze skills and talents with career and personality assessments and develop plans to stay on track and reach academic goals.
Naviance Opt-Out Window
How: Families that do not want their student to use Naviance can opt out by changing their preferences in the Source.
When: The 2024 opt out window is August 26 – September 27.
Learn more about Naviance.
Breakfast and lunch will be served at no cost to those students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals.
Additionally, Seattle Public Schools has several schools that will offer free meals (breakfast and lunch) for all students.
Learn more about how to apply for nutrition assistance, add money to your student’s account, or check menus and allergy information.
Learn more about SPS Student Devices
All students can receive an SPS device at the beginning of the school year.
Read more about SPS student laptops and iPads.
iPad Student Forms
Laptop Student Forms
Technology Support for Families
Families: Sign up for your parent/guardian Source account
The Source displays student attendance, assessment sources, and progress reports. It is also how families can access School Pay to pay for student fees (ex. yearbooks and ASB cards).
Learn how to create a parent or guardian Source account.
