Questions - Placement

Are all children eligible to attend High Five or Three School?

For High Five and Three School programs, students who live in the requested school’s attendance area AND meet one or more of the following criteria are prioritized:

Turn age 4 by Sept. 1 (for High Five)
Turn age 3 by Sept. 1 (for Three School)
Meet one of the following eligibility criteria:

Qualify for educational benefits (based on family income).
Be experiencing housing instability.
Qualify for special education services (speech-only services are not considered for priority placement).
Be identified, through health and developmental screenings, with a potential risk factor that may influence learning.

Having a home language other than English is not a qualifying criteria for eligibility.

For more information, visit the Early Childhood Preschool Programs webpage.

What pre-school options does Minneapolis Public Schools offer?

High Five is offered at many MPS community and magnet schools, and is for children who will turn four by Sept. 1, 2024. Three School, offered at two MPS school locations, is for children who will turn three by Sept. 1, 2024.

To learn more about eligibility and locations, visit the Early Childhood Department website. Placement in either of these preschool programs can be requested at the ExploreMPS.org request site.

What if my child’s age falls outside the age limits for one of the preschool programs? Are there exceptions?

Children who turn five on or after September 1 are not eligible for High Five, and should enter Kindergarten. If you are concerned that your child is not developmentally or academically ready, please contact Early Childhood or ECSE (Early Childhood Special Education) for guidance. If your child is too young for one of the preschool programs, please reach out to Early Childhood for ideas and guidance finding age-appropriate preschool or childcare.

Does MPS have any programs for children under the age of four who are too young for High Five?

MPS Offers Three School for children who will turn three by Sept. 1. This program is available at Lyndale Community School and Mona Moede Early Learning Center.

Community Education also offers early childhood programming.

If you are concerned that your child is not developmentally or academically ready, please contact Early Childhood or ECSE (Early Childhood Special Education) for guidance. If your child is too young for one of the preschool programs, please reach out to Early Childhood for ideas and guidance finding age-appropriate preschool or childcare.

What if my child is not five years old by Sept. 1 but I think they are ready to start kindergarten?

Children who turn five after Sept. 1 through Oct. 31, 2024 are eligible for consideration for Early Admission to Kindergarten.

What if I believe my child is not ready to attend all-day kindergarten?

MPS supports a smooth transition to kindergarten. We are happy to work with families to address any hesitations regarding children beginning an all-day kindergarten program. Contact Early Childhood Education at 612-668-2140 for more information

Where can I find more information on high school options and services?

For more information about high school options and services, visit these MPS webpages:

Does my child have to attend our community high school? What other options are there?

Your student is guaranteed a spot at the community high school for your attendance area. Only a small number of out-of-area placements are done at community elementary, middle and high schools. Other high school options include our citywide high school magnet program, FAIR School of the Arts, and MPS Contract Alternative Programs

Are 8th graders automatically placed at their pathway high school? Do they need to submit a high school request?

We encourage all students completing 8th grade at a 6-8 middle school or K-8 magnet to submit a high school request, but if they do not, they will be assigned automatically to their community high school based on their home address. If they do not live in the attendance area of the community middle school they are currently attending, they will not pathway to that school’s pathway high school but to their community high school.

The exception to address-based pathways is for students at the English/Spanish Dual Language program at Anwatin who will automatically pathway to the Dual Language program at Roosevelt.

Do all high school students take the city bus to school? What is the Go-o Card program?

A Go-To-Card is a prepaid Metro Transit bus fare card for students. Students can use their Go-To Cards for unlimited rides on city buses and light rail to and from school. Cards can also be used after school hours for other student activities. Students requiring special needs busing will still be eligible for district transportation.

What if my child is not placed at our requested high school?

We are limited in how many out of area placements we can do at community schools, so if you request an out of area school for your student, they are likely to be added to the school's list. During summer, we review several factors to determine whether we can offer any additional out of area placements at any of our community schools.

If your student does not get placed at your top requested school and you believe there is information we should know that might change this outcome, such as a health, mental health or safety concern, please communicate with the Student Enrollment team.

What high school programs are available to all Minneapolis residents?

The following are citywide schools and programs:

FAIR High School for the Arts
Heritage Academy
Minneapolis Academy and Career Center (MAAC)
MPS Online School
Roosevelt Spanish Dual Language
South All Nations program (at South High School)

Which schools can my children attend?

You can request up to three schools. We encourage you to request either your community school based on your address, or a citywide magnet, or a combination of these. If you submit your request by the first lottery due date, you will have the best chance of getting a spot at your first requested school. Visit the school finder at ExploreMPS.org to learn your school options and submit your online school request.

What’s the difference between community and magnet schools? What are the placement rules at each type of school?

The Minneapolis Public Schools district is divided into attendance areas, each having its own community school elementary, 6-8 and 9-12 school. All students living inside a community school’s attendance area boundaries are eligible to attend that school with district provided transportation, unless they live inside the school's designated walk zone. Transportation is provided via a school bus, or a Go To Pass for high school students. Some community schools have a theme or academic focus area, but they are designed to have general appeal and provide excellent quality instruction across all content areas.

Magnet schools are ‘citywide’ because they are a request option for students throughout the city of Minneapolis, and any Minneapolis resident student placed there who lives outside the school’s walk zone is eligible for bus transportation.

Magnets are also different in that they offer a specific theme such as Arts, STEM or STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math), English-Spanish Dual Language instruction, Global Studies and Humanities, or Montessori. This additional focus on a specific subject or style of teaching (such as in Montessori) is embedded across all content areas to provide high quality instruction using the magnet focus as a teaching and curriculum theme.

Placement in magnets is based on the magnet placement priorities of the Comprehensive District Design approved by the MPS School Board in June 2019.

Priorities include (in order of weight):

A. Students who live within a half-mile radius of the school;

B. Students with siblings already attending the school who will continue to be enrolled at the same school;

C. Students who do or do not qualify for Educational Benefits, depending on the school’s projected balance of students who qualify for Educational Benefits; and

D. Students who are experiencing homelessness.

Am I guaranteed a spot at my community school? Do I have to request it?

If you do not request your community school, we will not know that you are interested in having your child attend there. Placement is guaranteed for all community school requests received by the first lottery due date.

How many schools can I request? How do I request a magnet school? Can I request two magnets?

When you complete your school request form (online or paper request), you will have the option to include up to three schools. We strongly recommend that you list your community school as one of your choices. The following guidance may be helpful:

If you are only interested in your community school and you are requesting before the February due date, you do not need to list any other schools. (Please be sure to confirm that the school you are requesting is the correct community school for your child’s home address).
If you decide that one of the magnet options is your most desired school for your child, you should indicate that as your first choice. If you second choice is your community school, you should indicate that as your #2 choice and you do not need to list a third choice.
If there are two magnet schools you are interested in more than your community school, you should list them as your #1 and #2 choices and you should list your community school as your third choice.

Do I have a better chance of getting into our first school preference if I apply early?

No, all requests submitted by the lottery due date are considered "on time." We encourage you to use the time before the due date to take advantage of all opportunities to learn more about your school options:

ExploreMPS.org website school descriptions
Explore Now MPS schools guidebook
Take school tours and attend open houses
Attend the Minneapolis School Finder Fair in January

If I submit a request for my community school during the request window, will my child get a spot?

Yes.

What if we move during the Request and Enrollment period?

If your child is currently enrolled in an MPS school, please let your school office know as soon as possible so they can update your child's information in the Student Information System and reach out to the Enrollment Department as your move could change your school options and your address-based priorities.

What is sibling preference and who is considered a sibling?

All children living in the same household are considered siblings. To qualify for sibling preference, the older or younger sibling must be currently enrolled (and still enrolled during the year for which the request is submitted) in a school. Sibling preference does not apply to students enrolled in citywide special education or pre-kindergarten programs.

Siblings living in separate households are also eligible for sibling preference.

How does placement work for foreign exchange and international students?

Placements for all students with F1 and J1 visas are centrally managed and individual schools cannot guarantee enrollment. Interested J1 agencies must begin the enrollment process with the Enrollment Department.

J1 Visas

J-1 Visas are for high school age Foreign Exchange students enrolling through a registered International Exchange Organization. They may enroll in U.S. public schools for a maximum of 12 Months. J1 students are welcome to participate in graduation events but cannot receive a diploma.

Exchange Agencies are required to be registered with the Minnesota Secretary of State's office and to follow CSIET recommendations and be on CSIETs Advisory List of approved organizations. This is for the protection and well-being of students and host families.

Placement of students enrolling in MPS with a J1 visa are subject to the attendance area boundaries of the host family. For example, if the host family's address is in the Henry High attendance area, Henry would be the school of enrollment offered to the exchange student.

Important Application Windows & Deadlines

The application window for J1 enrollment for Semester/Term One and Full Year is from April 1-May 30.

The application window for J1 enrollment for Second Semester/Term only is Sept. 15-Nov. 15.

F1 Visa Information

Who can apply for an F-1 Visa:

Foreign students entering in grades 9-12

Students entering grades 9-12 between the ages of 15 to 20 at the time of enrollment

Who cannot apply:

Students entering in grades Pre-K-8

Students who already have a diploma in the country of origin

U.S. citizens or legal residents and Immigrants or refugees residing in the U.S.

Duration of an F-1 Visa

Maximum stay – One Year

Minimum stay – One Quarter

F-1 Visas are for International Students. They may enroll in U.S. public schools for a maximum of 12 Months and are required under federal law to pay tuition.

Please be advised that in recent years students applying for U.S. visas frequently experience extensive delays. Unfortunately MPS has no control over this process, but recommends applying as early as possible to allow ample time for your US Visa to be issued.

Tuition Information: Please contact the P/DSO regarding current tuition requirements. Please note we are only able to accept Cashiers or Certified check drawn on a US-based bank for tuition payment. Unfortunately we are not able to provide refunds and can only return the check un-cashed if the student does not arrive within 15 days from the start of school.

Steps to enrolling an international student obtaining an F-1 Visa:

1) Visit studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students for specific guidance and details from the official US Government website for International Students.

2) After completing steps above, the host parent meets with MPS DSO (US Designated School Official) to Complete the I-20 information form, Submit the tuition payment (required prior to creation of I-20, see below for tuition procedures) and receive an original, signed I-20 from from the District PDSO or DSO

3) Host parent mails the original I-20 form to the student in their home country. The student brings the I-20 to their local U.S. consulate to obtain the F-1 Visa. Please note this stage of the process can be quite long. Please see details on the website above in step 1.

4) The student submits payment electronically of the I-901 SEVIS fee SEVIS (FMJFee.com) when applying in the home country.

5) Once the host parent knows the student’s arrival date, they can make an appointment with the Enrollment Department. Travel delays are unfortunately very common in this process. We can hold a confirmed students spot up to 15 days after the start of school.

6) Once the student arrives in Minneapolis, the student/host family must contact the Enrollment Office within three business days to schedule a prompt in-person visit to the Enrollment Center with the students passport & visa to officially register through US -SEVIS. This is a requirement of the US visa process. At this appointment the student will have an English language proficiency assessment and receive a school placement.

Additional F1 Information

The application window for F1 enrollment for Semester/Term One and Full Year is from March 1-June 15.

The application window for F1 enrollment for Second Semester/Term only is September 15-November 30.

Students who meet credit requirements for graduation may receive an MPS High School Diploma.

If an F1 student will travel outside the U.S. during the school year, the host family and student must bring their 1-20 to the DSO to sign the travel section of the I-20 to approve reentry to the United States.

F-1 student and their families are responsible for maintaining the student’s legal status. Please visit Study in the States for more information.

B1 Visa Information

Holders of B-1 and B-2 visas generally cannot enroll into any K-12 public school in the U.S. All Non-Immigrant Visas are regulated by the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS).

Minor children of adults who are in the U.S. on a B1 visa for work, study or medical care may be enrolled in a public school.

Can I request a community school for an attendance area my child doesn’t live in? What does “out-of-area” mean?

While you can submit a request for any Minneapolis Public Schools school, only a small number of out-of-area placements are made at community schools. Additionally, students who are placed at out of area community schools are not eligible for transportation to their home address.

Is my child eligible for transportation if they are placed at an out-of-area community school?

MPS does not provide transportation to or from an out-of-area home or childcare address. If your child is enrolled in an out-of-area community school, transportation would be provided only to or from an address (such as a childcare) within the school’s attendance area.

Is my child eligible to go from an out-of-area elementary school to the pathway middle school?

If your child is attending an out-of-area community elementary school, you would need to submit a request (by the due date during their 5th grade year) for that school’s pathway middle school. A small number of out-of-area placements may be done at each community school (including middle and high schools). The same is true for students transitioning from middle to high school.

What if I move out of a school’s attendance area after being placed at a community school?

While you will not be required to un-enroll your child from a school they have already been placed at or enrolled in, they will not be eligible for transportation and will not pathway with their peers to middle or high school if your new address is outside the middle school’s or high school’s) attendance area boundary.

How do magnet waiting lists work?

Every magnet school request we receive is entered into our School Enrollment System, which adds up all the priority 'weights' that apply to the request. Resident students with a sibling at the requested school have the highest weight and are prioritized higher, then resident students, then non-resident students with siblings and then non-residents without siblings.

In the placement lottery, we place as many students as possible to fill openings at schools. The students who are are not placed stay in the same priority weight order and remain on the waitlist.

How do community school waiting lists work?

Every community school request we receive is entered into our School Enrollment System, which adds up all the priority 'weights' that apply to the request. In-area students are prioritized first, out-of-area students with siblings next, out-of-area students without siblings after that, and non-residents last.

We are limited in how many out of area placements we can do at community schools, so if you request an out of area school for your student, they are likely to be added to a waiting list. During summer, we review several factors to determine whether we can offer any additional out of area placements at any of our community schools.

In the placement lottery, we place as many students as possible to fill openings at schools. The students who are are not placed stay in the same priority weight order and remain on the waitlist.

Can my child be on a waiting list for an out-of-area community school?

A small number of out-of-area requests may be honored in the first lottery, and students will not be added to the waiting lists for out-of-area community schools, however, lists of un-placed students are retained.

How long are school waitlists active?

During spring and summer, openings at schools may be filled by eligible students on waitlists. Waitlists are considered active through the first month of the school year.

Waitlists for High Five, and sibling preference remain active through May 1 of the school year for which the request was submitted.

How many waitlists can my child be on?

Students can be on one waitlist. If your first requested school is a magnet and your child does not get placed at that school in the lottery, your child will be added to that school’s waitlist. If we are able to honor your second or third listed school, your child can remain on the waitlist for the first requested school.

Do waiting lists roll over to the next school year?

No, waitlists are only for the requested grade level and school. As an example, if a parent requests a spot in 3rd grade at Apple School but their student doesn’t get in, they would need to submit a new request for Apple School for 4th grade.

What’s the process if we want to change schools?

Continuity and stability for students are very important for students’ academic success, and we discourage mid-year school changes in most cases. If you are unhappy with your school or an aspect of your child’s education, it is important to bring your concerns to your child’s teachers and school leaders before requesting a transfer. Most issues can be successfully resolved at school.

What is the transfer process for a child in a Special Education program for a specific type of programming?

If you are unhappy with your school or an aspect of your child’s education, it is important to bring your concerns to your child’s teachers, school social worker and school leaders before requesting a transfer. Most issues can be successfully resolved at school. If a transfer is needed, your school social worker will work with the district Special Education department regarding the possibility of available openings in a similar program elsewhere in the district.

What’s the difference between distance learning and MPS Online School?

In March of 2020, school districts across the country responded to the Covid 19 pandemic by shifting to distance learning as their mode of education when children could not attend school in-person. Through doing this, districts have learned we can provide high quality education online, and that many families prefer this option. In response, beginning in the 2021-22 school year, MPS expanded our 9-12 alternative school to the K-12 MPS Online School. Once students are enrolled, they stay until they graduate or request a move to an in-person school for the following school year.

Is MPS Online School a magnet?

MPS Online isn’t technically a magnet school, but it functions like one in that it has a unique method of curriculum delivery (online), and is accessible to all students in the district equally as long as there are openings. While we do prioritize Minneapolis residents, the MPS Online School’s attendance area includes the state of MN and we are glad to welcome students from throughout the state.

My child is attending MPS Online School but it doesn’t work for our family’s situation any longer. Are we guaranteed a spot in an in-person school?

While we don’t recommend midyear transfers, if a transfer from the MPS Online School is necessary due to changes in family circumstances, the Enrollment Department will work with you to identify an in-person school option.

What is the second lottery? How does it work?

A second lottery will be run in early spring for magnets only. Magnet school requests that could not be honored in the first lottery and requests received between the first lottery and the second lottery due date will be included in a second school placement lottery. Please see the school request timeline for more details.

What is the process for submitting a request for the second lottery?

The process to request a school is always the same. You can submit a request online or if you need assistance, you can contact Student Enrollment at SPS.Department@mpls.k12.mn.us or call 612.668.1840.

If I request my community school after the first due date, will it be in the lottery?

No, the second lottery is only for magnets. If you request your community school, the Enrollment Team will work to process your request as quickly as possible. If there is capacity at your community school, you will receive a placement notification letter by either mail or email. In some cases, you may be required to submit proof of address.

What if I got my first requested school in the first lottery, but now I want to request a different school?

You can submit a request for any school at any time. If you request your community school, we will try to place right away, and if you request a magnet school before the second lottery due date, your request will be entered in the lottery. Community requests are honored on an ongoing basis, and magnet requests are honored as openings allow.

What if I don’t submit a request in time for either due date?

Families are welcome to submit a request at any time, but magnet requests received by the first and second lottery due dates are included in the initial and second placement lotteries.

Magnet requests received after the second lottery due date are made based on priorities and openings. If we are not able to honor your magnet request at the time of submission, your child’s name will remain on a waitlist for that school through the end of September of the school year for which you have requested placement, and we will talk with you about other school options for your child.

Why did MPS decide to do two lotteries?

Having a second due date and lottery gives more families an opportunity to participate in the school request and lottery process. It also gives us a tool to move continuously toward the district's goal of economic diversity in our magnet schools. We do this by holding out a percentage of magnet seats when we do the first lottery, then prioritizing requests for the second lottery based on whether the school has more or fewer students who qualify for Educational Benefits (Free or Reduced Price Lunch).

What type of childcare is available for elementary students?

Minneapolis Kids is the childcare program provided through Community Education to MPS families on a sliding-fee scale. A list of locations can be found on the Minneapolis Kids website.

What if my childcare and home addresses are in different attendance areas?

If your child will need to attend childcare before or after school, and your childcare is not in your home attendance area, a magnet school may be the best solution for you as all magnets now provide citywide bussing.

Questions and Answers