OLYMPIA SCHOOL DISTRICT GUIDE
This guide is for new and existing parents in the Olympia School District that are looking for a place their children can thrive, families looking for clarification on programs, potential district employees/volunteers, and all community members seeking a clarifying resource to understand what public education services our district provides.
OSD SCHOOLS & PROGRAMS
Schools referred to as ‘neighborhood’ are schools with guaranteed spots for service area/catchment residents ALL YEAR ROUND, with the exception of Lincoln Options Elementary School which has a small catchment, but primarily has enrollment by a lottery system. Neighborhood schools provide full bus service to resident students and provide an AM and PM Y-care option at the elementary level, unless otherwise mentioned.
All information is based on 2025/26 offerings and is subject to change. OSD4All is committed to adding up-to-date dates information throughout the year.
FAST FACTS ABOUT THE OLYMPIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
ENROLLMENT
In & Out of district transfer requests for K-12 begins FEBRUARY 2, 2026. Check Birth-Kindergarten and Alternative Programs for different processes.
AGE CUTOFF
Preschool and kindergarten program cutoff is August 31, but students with birthdays between September 1 and October 31 can be assessed for early entrance to kindergarten the year they turn 5.
HIGHLY CAPABLE SCREENING
All students are screened for Highly Capable services in 3rd and 5th grade.
TRANSPORT
Alternative schools and some programs have limited district bus service options, but INTERCITY TRANSIT bus stops are listed on every school page and ALL riders RIDE FREE! Intercity Transit is in the midst of a system redesign and stops will change in May 2026.
MUSIC INSTRUCTION
Band and Orchestra options begin in 5th grade.
CISPUS
This overnight camp is available for all students at the end of their 5th grade year.
LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION
Foreign language instruction begins in high school and language options vary by school. Marshall Middle School has some introductory elective Spanish instruction, and Lincoln Options also has some introductory Spanish instruction incorporated in their model.
COLLEGE/DUAL CREDIT IN HIGH SCHOOL
ALL juniors and seniors enrolled in the district have access to Running Start. College in the High School (CiHS) is only available at the comprehensive high schools. All high school programs participate in WAGAP (Washington Guaranteed Admission Program)
SPECIAL EDUCATION
ALL OSD resident students between birth and age 22 are eligible for special education services at home or in a private school within district boundaries.
OSD STATS
OUR LOCATION
Olympia is located on the ancestral lands of the Squaxin tribe and the district itself is much larger than the city. Boston Harbor & McLane Elementary are two of the oldest schools, and used to be their own district! Other schools like Lincoln and Avanti lie in historic buildings, and several schools from Madison to Capital, were built between the 1950 and 1980. In the early 90’s the district added McKenny and Hansen Elementary Schools, and in 2015, the new Olympia Regional Academy was opened. Our district is split by water, but connected by community.