Reporter Staff

The Mercer Island School District announced that it will open enrollment for the 2007-08 school year to nonresident students

The district will be looking for students to help bring up enrollment to secure more funding from the state. As such, it will open enrollment to out-of district students on a one year trial basis, Superintendent Cyndy Simms said. We want to see what interest might be out there.

The school district has been experiencing declining enrollment over the past decade. District enrollment reached a high of 4,163 students in 2000- 2001 school term. Since that year, enrollment has declined by about 250 students.

Acceptance will be driven by space availability, Simms explained.

“We will look at where the requests fall and look at where we have room and can accommodate students,” she said.

Out-of-district students can ordinarily attend Mercer Island School District schools if their parents are employed by the district, if they are completing their final year of high school or due to other circumstances outlined in school district policies regarding enrollment. With the option of opening enrollment to outside students to boost enrollment, districts can be somewhat selective in who they accept.

Parents may make application between April 16 and June 1, 2007, for the coming 2007-08 school year using the Interdistrict Transfer Agreement form. This form may be obtained by downloading it from the school district Web site or by contacting Jan Kentnor at 230-6336. Parents can also make application using their resident school district transfer agreement form. Written notification of approval or denial of application will be provided no later than August 15, 2007.

For further information, families should contact Jan Kentnor at jan_kentnor@misd.wednet.edu or 230-6336.

Summer School

Plans are being finalized for a summer school for Mercer Island School District students. School administrators surveyed parents to determine the desire for summer classes which are tenatively planned for four, four-day weeks in July or August. The classes are usually half-day morning sessions.

District students will also have the opportunity this summer to attend a music technology camp at Island Park Elementary School. The school PTA is sponsoring a tuition-based camp to be taught by a district music specialist and an Island piano teacher. Students will use digital pianos and music software.

On the Web: www.misd.k12.wa.us.edu/