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Live outside Montesano's boundary but want your student to be a Bulldog? Washington families can request a Choice Transfer — also called a nonresident, interdistrict, or out-of-district transfer.
A Choice Transfer needs approval from two districts: the district where you live must release your student, and Montesano must accept them. Montesano accepts based on space available in the grade and the standards in Board Policy 3141.
Moving into Montesano?Then you don't need a Choice Transfer — once you live within our boundary you're a resident, so just enroll as a Monte family. Not sure whether your address is in the district? Check the boundary or call (360) 249-3942.
There's no need to call ahead — every family starts the same way. Submit the request through the state's Choice Transfer Request Portal (opens in a new tab). You start one request; the system routes it to both districts.
The request goes to your resident (home) district to release the student, then to Montesano to accept. Both approvals are required before your student can attend (RCW 28A.225.220).
Once accepted, complete enrollment through Skyward like any Monte family. A Choice Transfer must be renewed every school year your student attends here.
Cosmopolis doesn't use the state's online portal (as of August 2026), so it won't appear in the portal's district list. You can still transfer — use the paper route: download OSPI's Choice Transfer Request form (PDF) (opens in a new tab), name Montesano as the requested district, and submit it to the Cosmopolis school office — call (360) 532-7181 to ask how they'd like to receive it. Once Cosmopolis releases your student, Montesano reviews the request exactly like an online one. The same paper route works for any district that isn't listed in the portal.
No call ahead or pre-approval is needed. File the request, we review it like every other request, and you receive our decision in writing.
Washington districts cannot charge nonresident students tuition or transfer fees (RCW 28A.225.220).
The state does not require busing across district lines. Getting your student to and from Monte is the family's responsibility.
Neither state law nor Policy 3141 sets a fixed number of days — we review every request and notify you in writing in a timely manner.
A Choice Transfer covers one school year. Plan to renew each year your student continues at Monte.
The most common reason a nonresident request is denied is simply that a grade is full. State law (RCW 28A.225.225) and Policy 3141 also let Montesano weigh a student's recent disciplinary record — for example, expulsions or suspensions over ten consecutive days. Fees, tuition, and a student's personal circumstances are not factors.
A family may appeal a denial to Washington's Office of Administrative Hearings (RCW 28A.225.230). Start by talking with Krista Kersker — many questions are resolved without a formal appeal.
Questions about Choice Transfers or a request you've filed:
kkersker@monteschools.org
(360) 249-3942 (District Office). During school breaks, email is the best way to reach us — you don't need to wait for a reply to file your request.