Washington County Public Schools Accepting Special Permission Requests for 2026-2027 School Year

Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) is currently accepting applications from parents and legal guardians who wish to enroll their children in a school outside of their designated attendance area for the 2026-2027 academic year. The deadline for submitting these Special Permission Applications is May 15. Once completed, the applications must be submitted directly to the school where attendance is being requested. Families can expect to receive a mailed notification regarding the decision on their special permission request during the month of June.

WCPS policy generally requires students to attend the school assigned to their residential address. However, the district outlines several conditions under which special permission may be granted for a student to attend a school in a different attendance zone. These conditions include situations where a student requires access to a specific academic program, specialized course, or a Magnet program that is not offered at their assigned school. Additionally, parents or legal guardians who are employed and have a child under the age of 13 under the care of a daycare provider located outside the student’s designated attendance area within Washington County may be eligible. Changes in school boundaries that leave a student in their final years of elementary, middle, or high school at a particular campus can also be a basis for a request.

Further grounds for special permission include a parent or legal guardian who is a current Washington County resident and can present a documented plan to move into the requested school’s attendance area within 90 days of the application date. This plan must include a fully executed real estate contract for purchase or rental, with specified move-in dates. Principals and the Department of Student Services may also grant special permission under unique circumstances that they deem warrant it. Another criterion allows for special permission if a parent or legal guardian is employed by WCPS, resides in Washington County, and their employment location falls outside the student’s designated attendance zone. Finally, students with siblings already enrolled in a Magnet program at a particular school may be granted special permission to attend that same school.

It is important for families to note that even if an application meets one of the outlined criteria, special permission can still be denied. Such denials may occur if the student has a documented history of poor attendance, failing grades, or exhibits chronic disruptive behavior, as evidenced by WCPS Student Misconduct referrals.

When special permission is granted, parents or legal guardians are typically responsible for arranging and providing transportation for their child. Exceptions to this rule occur in circumstances where WCPS is legally obligated to provide transportation. In limited situations, WCPS may offer transportation assistance if parents are able to transport their student to a bus stop with available space on a specific bus route, provided prior arrangements have been confirmed with the WCPS Transportation Department. Application forms for special permission are available in both English and Spanish.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from Washington County Public Schools

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