School choice is determined by where you live in most circumstances. Occasionally there is a special program (gifted, special needs, etc.) that requires a child to be in a certain school. Start at the website, bsd405.org to find out what school attendance area you're in.

If a parent wants to enroll a child in a school outside their area, it can be done at the principal's discretion. The district site lists which schools have openings, but it's worth checking directly with the school.

All schools in Bellevue use the same curriculum (love it or hate it) so the differences are mainly cultural. The idea is that a child could easily switch schools within the district and not miss or repeat anything. Many people look up the WASL scores and demographic info and decide they need their kids to go to the "best" schools. As a parent in one of the lower-performing schools, I can tell you that we are very happy and my kids are getting what they need. The staff is excellent and the other parents are wonderful. However, many parents in my neighborhood try to go elsewhere because of...I don't know...fear of low WASL scores? I decided to give it a try and am so glad I did. We love our school and our teachers.

International School and the Spanish Immersion program at Puesta del Sol Elementary grant admission by lottery and are open to everyone who "wins" the lottery. Contact those schools directly for admission materials but have a backup plan in place as not everyone gets in (we were something like #128 on the Spanish Immersion waitlist for K and got a call halfway through first grade!)

Hope that helps a little.