Frequently Asked Questions

The application opens October 20, 2025 and closes January 11, 2026. You can apply through ParentVUE. If your student is already in Tacoma Public Schools, simply log into ParentVUE, select your 8th grade student, and choose "Choice Enrollment SAMI SOTA IDEA." If you are new to Tacoma Public Schools, create an account with ParentVUE before adding your 8th grade student to your account, then apply for Choice Enrollment.

Any incoming 9th grader is eligible to apply for admissions. Students apply in their 8th grade year for acceptance the following fall to the four-year program.

No, out-of-district students are welcome to apply. Tacoma School Board policy gives priority to students who live within the boundaries of Tacoma Public Schools’ enrollment area. If spots remain, out-of-district students will be offered a spot.

Yes. Information Nights are optional. You can fill out the application online and once submitted, you’ll be entered into the regional lottery. The application closes January 11, 2026, and the lottery will be run after. Any student who wants to apply after the lottery will be placed on the waitlist.

You can contact each of the three partner schools:

• SOTA: sota@tacoma.k12.wa.us | (253) 571-7900
• SAMI: sami@tacoma.k12.wa.us | (253) 571-2300
• IDEA: idea@tacoma.k12.wa.us | (253) 571-2555

Yes. Students may take an early dismissal each day and travel to their resident high school to play sports. Under WIAA regulations, alternative school students are eligible to play for their neighborhood school.

Students can take Pierce Transit busses and light rail to SOTA, SAMI, and IDEA at no cost as students. There are also school bus shuttles from transit hubs like Tacoma Mall, NE Tacoma, and Downtown. Please see the schools' websites for more detailed information on bus routes.

There is no tuition. There are some class fees for supply-heavy courses. Every student pays an annual innovative school registration fee which covers the cost of our all-school retreat in August, mini-term transportation support costs, and includes a yearbook at the end of the year.

Selection is done via a regional lottery based on Tacoma Public Schools’ middle-school zones. Grades, attendance, and test scores are not considered.

No. Only incoming 9th graders are accepted.

Applications due January 11. The regional lottery held in January. Notifications mid-January.

Yes. Graduates go on to universities, colleges, apprenticeships, and military. The “Next Move” program supports career exploration and internships. At SOTA, SAMI, and IDEA over 60% pursue a two or four-year program after high school. 87% persist after their first year of college.