Applying to The Emerson School for 2008-2009 Year

Who is eligible
Any child who resides within the Portland Public School District boundaries is eligible to attend. The Emerson School is allowed by law to admit out-of-district students after all Portland Public School District students who have applied at the time of the lottery have been placed. No Portland Public Schools transfer process or form is required to attend The Emerson School. There is no tuition, however Full-Day Kindergarten Fees do apply (as in many other Portland Public Schools full-day kindergarten programs).

Admissions Process
For the 2008-2009 school year, the admissions process will begin in February, with informational sessions, published material, and student applications available, and will continue through the summer.

To be eligible for the first round of admissions, applications must be received by Friday, March 21st, 2008 at 5:00pm. This group of applicants will make up the lottery pool. The lottery will take place by April 1st and students and their families will be notified of their status by April 11th.

Parents must notify The Emerson School of the student’s intention of attending for the 2008-2009 school year no later than April 25th for their space to be assured.

Applications will continue to be accepted after March 21st, and students will be placed in order received, as space allows. Applications exceeding open spaces will be kept on a waiting list in order received. Please see further details below.

Lottery
If more students apply by March 21st, 2008 than there are spaces available at each grade level, state law requires that we hold an equitable lottery to determine admission. Each student will be given a number, and a random number list will be used to select students for admission. This random selection will ensure fairness without regard to ethnicity, national origin, disability, gender, income level, English proficiency, athletic ability, past academic performance, or any other student characteristic. Only siblings of currently enrolled Emerson students will be given priority. Students who reside outside of the Portland Public School District will be placed on the list after all in-district residents have been assigned a spot in the lottery.

Waiting List
For applications received by March 21st, position on the waiting list will be determined during the lottery process. Applicants will be notified of their position on the waiting list, and spaces will be filled in numerical order from the list. This list will be maintained until the end of the 2008-2009 school year, and will not carry over from year to year. The Emerson School will admit students on a space available basis at any time during the school year. Students applying after March 21st will be admitted on a space available basis. If there is no space available at the appropriate grade level, they will be added to the waiting list in order of the date the application is received.

Non-Discrimination Policy
The Board and employees of The Emerson School represent a diverse group of people who have a common commitment to the equality of opportunity for all. The Emerson School is an equal opportunity organization that does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, marital status, national origin, or mental or physical disability.

Summary of Pertinent Dates for Year 2008–2009

January 8: Application packets available online as well as in school office

February 2: PPS “Celebrate!” event (go to www.pps.k12.or.us for details). The Emerson School will be present at the event with information.

February 4: Application packets available online as well as in school office.

February 12: 5:30-6:30pm, All Grades Informational Meeting

February 13: 5:30-6:30pm, KG-1st grade ONLY Informational Meeting

February-various dates: Group tours for prospective families (sign up at Info Meetings),

March 21, 5pm: Priority application deadline (for purpose of lottery)

April 1: Student lottery completed

April 11: Families notified of student acceptance status

April 25: Deadline for families to notify The Emerson School of intention to attend

download an application and information packet

Interested in an application? Click on one of the links below. You'll need Acrobat Reader, if you don't already have that installed.

2008-2009 School Year: 2008-2009 Application

Have other questions? Want more information? Need help filling out the application or want us to mail or fax you a form instead? Go to our Contact page for other ways to reach us.