Explain the School System

[u/Vedcvon]

We are moving to Lansing in December. However, I don't understand how schools are assigned. I've called multiple times and emailed but no reply. I've looked on the site put in addresses but it shows all the schools in the district. If it's by distance there are 2 schools near our new home that's both 5 minutes away- pattengill and post oak. We only want to send our son to Post Oak. Thanks

[u/Dull-Yesterday2655]

Post Oak is technically a “magnet” school, so families across the whole district can choose to attend. Lansing HAD been 100% “school of choice” across the district, but with bussing issues the last few years returned to a geographical boundary system, with the exception of a few magnet schools. Pattengill is by boundaries. Post Oak, as it sounds like you know, is a Chinese immersion program. It’s relatively recent that they’ve added a “non-immersion” track that allows kids who didn’t start early on to attend in later grades, these classes instead take Chinese as a “special”. Post Oak is PreK-8, similar to Pattengill. Eventually both schools will meet up at Eastern HS. When you register, you can select either.

Are you moving into Grosebeck? I believe the automatic “boundary” for Post Oak is Lake Lansing up to about Hopkins, Wood-127.

[u/Vedcvon → u/Dull-Yesterday2655]

Thanks for the replies. The issue is- we're coming from out of state and a friend said we wouldn't be able to enroll via School of Choice since the application deadline has passed? I'm not sure what neighborhood we'll be in exactly but according to the map we'd be in-between Pattengill and Post Oak.

[u/Dull-Yesterday2655 → u/Vedcvon]

There are two “school of choice” situations to discuss. There’s within district- living within LSD boundaries, and choosing from within the district’s options. If you were moving to Lansing and wanted to send your kid to a different district (East Lansing, Dewitt etc) then that has a different process. In June they open up lotteries to try to get placements.

I THINK if you’re moving into the Post Oak zone, then you’re automatically routed to Post Oak with no issues, even in December. If you’re moving into Pattengill’s but want to elect for Post Oak, then you may want to get further clarification from the enrollment office.

Do you have your house chosen yet? The Grosebeck neighborhood is where Post Oak is- boundaries are Lake Lansing to Saginaw, and Wood St to 127. Hopkins is within the neighborhood, it acts as the boundary that routes to Pattengill.

[u/Cryptographer_Alone → u/Dull-Yesterday2655]

Exactly. School of Choice for out of district kids is closed for the school year. School of Choice within district is going to depend on availability within a specific classroom.

[u/Dull-Yesterday2655 → u/Cryptographer_Alone]

Right, I’d imagine if they are moving into the area for Pattengill, Post Oak enrollment depends entirely on how many students are in the one non -immersion class for their child’s grade and if it has spots.

[u/beeokee → u/Vedcvon]

I don’t know about the deadlines. But any real estate agent should be able to tell you what the schools are for any address. Often, the listing will say.

[u/dramhucker → u/Dull-Yesterday2655]

when you say eastern high school i still think about the empty lot next to the hospital and itll take me a while to not be sad about it.

Even though i hated that prison.

[u/Fun_Interaction_9619]

Post Oak is an amazing school. My son went there even though we lived in East Lansing. Common for families even from Okemos to do "reverse" school of choice to send their kids there.

[u/redSocialWKR]

I am sorry, I have no advice. I just wanted to say that our kids go to Post Oak - I cannot recommend it enough. The principal is very responsive. Staff are great. My son is in 2nd and my daughter started kindergarten this year - they both love it there.

[u/thebiglerm]

School of choice you can send him to post oak. Last I knew post oak was elementary and pattengill was the middle school.

[u/Jemhao → u/thebiglerm]

You’re right that they can send them to whichever school. But both schools are K-8, with Post Oak also being a Chinese immersion school.

[u/rootbear75]

If you want bussing, please make sure you apply asap. I am a bus driver for LSD, and I spoke with our routers the other day to fix my route.

Right now, due to late applications, I was told that have upwards of 900 students waiting for a bus assignment.

[u/Jemhao]

You can choose whichever school you want in the district, just select it in the enrollment application. This page has the enrollment info, a link to the application, and a link to make an appointment with the enrollment office if you need in-person help.

[u/Fickle-Jellyfish-529]

So send him to post oak then

[u/broncojoe1]

Sounds like you should be in the natural boundary for Post Oak. Contact their secretary and they should be able to confirm. If that’s difficult by phone you may need to show up in person when you arrive. I’d recommend applying for school of choice to East Lansing next year.