FAQS: Feeder Patterns

Why are there so few seats available at my grade level? Many schools are showing fewer than five seats.

Because all students currently enrolled in WCPSS were pre-assigned to their current school or the next school in their feeder pattern for the 2012-13 school year, those students have already filled many seats. Kindergarten is the only grade where there are a substantial number of seats initially available for selection. More seats may become available as the choice process continues. UPDATED 2/10/12

If my child is a magnet student at a school that is now on their proximity list, how can they switch so they can follow the proximity pathway?

Families are not able to change their status at a school they are currently attending. They may participate in the proximity choice selection at a grade span change (rising into sixth or ninth grade) and apply for the feeder middle or high school on their proximity choice list. If they are not selected, they maintain their magnet status, follow their magnet feeder pattern and are placed on the wait list for their first choice school. If a student is selected for a proximity choice seat, they will be assigned to that school and their magnet seat will be released to be assigned to another student on the waitlist. (Updated 2/2/11)

How can I see the feeder pattern of my grandfathered school if my grandfathered school is not on my choice list?

Please visit http://assignment.wcpss.net/downloads/approved-feeder-patterns_101811.pdf to see the list of feeder patterns. They are listed alphabetically by high school.

If we choose an elementary school and don't like the middle and high school feeder pattern, can we switch?

Once a student is seated in a particular feeder pattern, s/he is guaranteed a seat up through grade 12 in that feeder pattern. If they so desire, families can participate in the choice process each year to try and move to another school in a different feeder pattern, based on available seats in that new school.

Does my child's "feeder pattern" school replace our base school?

Once a student chooses a particular school, s/he may remain in that "feeder pattern" until graduation unless they choose to move to another school. Multiple feeder patterns are available to each family.

Where will my rising 6th or 9th grader go to school next year?

Current students who will be transitioning from grade 5 to 6 or grade 8 to 9 in the 2012-13 school year will be pre-assigned to their feeder pattern middle or high school based on where they are currently enrolled. To see the approved feeder patterns for all schools, please see http://assignment.wcpss.net/downloads/approved-feeder-patterns_101811.pdf.

If I switch my child to a school for the remainder of this year, does that give them a guarantee to the feeder school for next year?

Changes to school assignments during the school year are subject to evaluation in accordance with Board Policy 6203.Current students who will be transitioning from grade 5 to 6 or grade 8 to 9 in the 2012-13 school year will be pre-assigned to their feeder pattern middle or high school based on where they are currently enrolled.