My daughter has worked hard in school, getting straight A's, joining sports, and
having a close knit group of friends that have been together since we've moved to Seattle five years ago. At that time, the move was stressful for my daughter, and
developing a peer group was essential to her success as a student. Going to a K-8 school was the answer. She and her friends have had an excellent experience at Blaine, which (we were assured by school staff, the board and Superintendent) would continue when Blaine students would be placed at our neighborhood high school in Ballard.

My daughter and her friends worked very hard in eighth grade, and had the support of their teachers in choosing our neighborhood school. Many applied to the BioTech program at Ballard, which was a goal for several students. My daughter worked
extremely hard on this goal, got A's in advanced placement math, and received very good recommendations from her teachers. In fact, the teachers encouraged many students to apply, and several students (including my daughter) were accepted into the program.  This was very important for my daughter at this time, especially being secure in knowing that she was going to a specialized academic program in her neighborhood school with many of her friends. You see, my daughter has suffered the effects of her parents divorcing over the past year, and her father moving out of the area. Although the past year has been hard on her, she rose to the top and
continued to plan for high school, and find support from her friends. Imagine her shock to learn that although she had been accepted into the BioTech program, she could not get through the front doors of her neighborhood school. This devastated her. All her hard work was not recognized, all the effort was lost. This has been a horrible time for her. 

Graduation was tearful. Students had no set plans, since parents were assured that their school would be Ballard. Alternative choices in the different parts of the district would mean they could not participate in after school activities because a ride on the metro bus would be one and a half hours long, including two transfers. How would my daughter play sports or join the drama and French clubs? The district's decisions in placing high school students have destroyed friendships and lives. Students who have gone to school together, in fully integrated classrooms, were now being split up throughout Seattle, based on cultural diversity. Everyone has been hurt by this
decision, and the trauma continues for my daughter. 

We have considered moving out of the district, but this, too, would separate my daughter from her peer group. At this point in time, she is enrolled at Blanchett. This is a huge expense for a single mother, and while I'm waiting for my daughter to be taken off  Ballard's wait list, I don't know how many months I can afford at a private school. The public school she was placed at is too far away, and has lower test scores, and other disadvantages. 

Appeals with documents from medical and mental health providers were turned down. Is this an option for a straight A student who has worked hard to achieve placement in a specialized educational program? Obviously not. And the pain will continue. It is hard enough for a thirteen year old to start high school - she will have to start over twice. To say that this is unfair is to minimize the consequences at best. The district has let down many families and spoiled what should have been a joy to
us time at graduation. I will never vote for another school levy in Seattle again.