Dear Judy,

My 5th-grader is applying to middle school and I want to know: Can I apply to schools out of district? How do I rank schools if most of the good ones say "you must place us first to be considered"?

Mom of a 5th-grader

Dear Mom:

Each district has its own process for assigning kids to middle schools. Fortunately, there are handbooks for each district explaining their process. Unfortunately, there lots of issues that still need clarification.

Most schools that are open to out of district applicants are listed in the back of the district handboooks. You apply to those schools directly. One exception is Mark Twain, open to residents citywide but listed on your district application. Mark Twain should be ranked along with the other schools. If it's your top choice, you should list it first.

Of course, if your child attends elementary school outside her home district, you can apply to schools in both districts. Your choices are listed all on the same application.

If you wish to apply to a school in another district, you can apply for a Placement Exception Request, known as a "PER", after you get the decision letter in the spring. Placement exception applications will be available in April at enrollment offices. Schools that still have openings will consider your application. But even if there are openings there are no guarantees of acceptance!

As for the “first choice” requirement – that’s a sticky one. Some districts do adhere to that rule – District 3, for instance, does allow principals to see the rankings on your application. In District 2, according to middle school choice officer Jimmy Bueschen, principals of screened schools see the rankings but others don’t. Many schools do tell you "put-us-first-or-else," but that may be just so many words. Keep in mind that some years certain schools receive more applications than others. You should check with your district.

Remember that in districts where there is school choice there is an appeals process that happens late in the spring.

Parents who have been through this process often say it’s a warm up for applying to high school.(And if you're the parent of a 6th or 7th-grader and have some suggestions on this topic, please chime in, in comments below.)

Good luck!

Judy