Yes – the benefits and curses of “school choice”!! I agree with TR, West Seattle is lucky to have so many good choices for public (and private) schools. Get out there, tour, use your gut instinct, and ask lots of questions of lots of people! The other thing to keep in mind is to not get too freaked out over the choice – kids are amazingly resilient and if your initial selection (or where you end up) doesn’t seem to be the right fit, you can always move your child to another school the following year.

I do know that the District is looking at enrollment policies and trying to rein in the open-choice system, but I’m not sure where they are in the process. Anyone have new info?

You didn’t mention Pathfinder . . . also in the vicinity of Schmitz/Alki/Lafayette. FABULOUS school. Our son has been there since Kindergarten (now in 3rd), and our daughter will definitely go there in 2 years when she goes to Kindergarten. I cannot say enough good things about the teachers there. Fantastic parent community, too. I think it’s West Seattle’s “hidden” gem. Our son has thrived there, and I absolutely love all of his peers and their families.

School tours start in January. Which school is your reference school? The enrollment process may place you in your reference school even if that is not your first choice. I toured with parents who loved Lafayette and did not like Schmitz Park and vice versa so it is a matter of personal preference and what you think may be better for your particular child.

Here is a map showing the delineation of reference areas:

http://www.seattleschools.org/area/facilities-plan/geo/refarea/ref_area.html