Evanston/Skokie
School District 65
School Transition Hub
Many District 65 students will be assigned to a new school for the 2026-27 school year. We are committed to ongoing support, collaboration, and transparent communication to ensure that students, staff, and families are cared for and that the transition ahead is as smooth and thoughtful as possible.
Below you'll find resources for navigating this change as well as logistical information about enrollment options and attendance boundaries. This page will be updated often and we hope it will serve as a hub for all things related to school transitions for the 2026-27 school year.
Worksheets, playlists, articles and more for students and parents/caregivers
These cover enrollment, student experience, staffing, transportation, and more.
Translation
Para poder ver esta información en español, por favor diríjase a la parte superior de esta página y seleccione la opción "Español" debajo de la opción "Elija un idioma."
More Information
- Permissive Transfer Notifications
- Timeline of Next Steps
- District Transition Plan
- School Assignment Notifications
- Upcoming Events
Permissive Transfer Notifications
On March 23, 2026, Round 1 notifications were sent to many families who applied for a permissive transfer for the 2026-27 school year.
If you received this email, action is required: Families MUST accept or decline the permissive transfer by 11:59 p.m. April 1, 2026.
If you need technical support, please visit our PowerSchool webpage or connect with a member of our team on or before April 1.
How to Complete the Permissive Transfer Form:
Open Permissive Transfer Email
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When was this sent? Round 1 notifications were sent March 23, 2026.
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What is the subject line? Status of Your SY26–27 Permissive Transfer Request
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Can I complete the form without opening the attachment? Yes! Just begin with Step 2 below.
Log into PowerSchool Parent Portal
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Username: your email address
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Password: if you’ve forgotten your password, click “Forgot Username or Password.” If you do not receive a link with instructions, please email registrationinfo@district65.net.
- For additional help, visit the D65 PowerSchool page
Navigate to the Form
- Select Forms on the left-hand side of your screen.
- On the Forms page, click the form titled Permissive Transfer Confirmation Form.
Complete the Form
- Select one of two options, which are explained within the form:
- Accept SY26–27 Permissive Transfer Placement
- Decline SY26–27 Permissive Transfer Placement
- Fill in any additional information as needed.
Complete for Additional Students
If you have another student enrolled in District 65, select your next student at the top left (under the PowerSchool SIS logo) and repeat for each student.
Timeline of Next Steps
| date | action | details |
|---|---|---|
| March 23, 2026 | Round 1 Permissive Transfer |
Families who requested a permissive transfer will receive an initial determination via email. Determinations will indicate whether the request has been accepted, declined, or placed on a waitlist. |
| april 1, 2026 | DEADLINE: Round 1 Permissive Transfer | Parents/guardians must accept or decline the permissive transfer placement in PowerSchool via the Permissive Transfer Confirmation Form. Directions will be provided. |
| April 2, 2026 | Round 2 Permissive Transfer | To support as many families as possible with planning, a second round of permissive transfer approval notifications will be sent via email. |
| april 11, 2o26 | DEADLINE: Round 2 Permissive Transfer | Parents/guardians must accept or decline the permissive transfer placement in PowerSchool via the Permissive Transfer Confirmation Form. Directions will be provided. |
| april 24, 2026 | 2026-27 School Year Assignment Emails |
Using the information submitted through the school assignment forms and permissive transfer process, the District will confirm each student’s school assignment for the 2026–2027 school year. All families will receive this confirmation via email on April 24. No action will be required. |
| april 26, 2026 | DEADLINE: Lottery applications | This includes Two-Way Immersion (TWI), African Centered Curriculum (ACC), and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Literary and Fine Arts School. |
| Early may 2026 | 2026-27 Lottery Acceptance Emails | More information to come! |
| summer 2026 | Transportation information sent | To ensure the most accurate information, families will receive information about transportation eligibility in early summer. In the meantime, families can use this interactive map to determine transportation eligibility based on IDOT and Board-approved hazards. |
| Past events | ||
| February 2, 2026 | Registration opened! |
This includes registration for:
|
| february 4, 2026 | School Assignment Letters sent to all D65 families |
Families will receive a letter for each of their children in D65. This letter will detail where each student has been assigned to go to school next year (2026-27 school year). Families will be asked to log into PowerSchool and do one of three things:
These steps will be explained in detail in the letter. For an overview of the process, view this one-page explainer: English / Spanish |
| week of february 9, 2026 | Family-Teacher Conferences | District staff will be at Kingsley, Dr. Bessie Rhodes School of Global Studies, and Willard to answer questions about next steps. |
| march 1, 2026 | Permissive Transfer Application Window Closes | All permissive transfer requests MUST be submitted by 11:59 p.m. March 1, 2026, to be considered for the 2026-27 school year. |
| april 1, 2026 | Initial Permissive Transfer Determinations Communicated |
Initial permissive transfer request determinations will be shared with families. Families can expect one of three things:
If your permissive transfer request concerns Two-Way Immersion (TWI) placement, determinations will be sent for rising 1st-4th and 7th-8th students only at this time. |
| april 26, 2026 | Registration deadline for rising 6th graders, selective enrollment programs (ACC and TWI), and magnet schools | Note that registration for incoming kindergarteners and students who are new to D65 remains ongoing! |
District Transition Plan
The goal of the D65 School Transition Subcommittee is to ensure a smooth and successful transition for students, staff, and families. The committee has representation from the following district teams: Buildings & Grounds, Communications, Financial Services, Human Relations, Individualized Education Services, Multilingual Services, Nutrition Services, Research, Assessment, Accountability, and Data (RAAD), Registration, Safety, Schools, Teaching & Learning, and Technology.
Monthly Highlights: March 2026
A summary of the D65 School Transition Subcommittee's current areas of focus and will be updated monthly.
- 📦 Asset & Materials
Furniture, fixture and equipment (FF&E) inventory of Kingsley.
- 📦 Asset & Materials
Inventory of all classrooms district-wide started with due date April 9.
- 📢 Communications
School Transition Project milestones and monthly status dashboard posted on the Hub.
- 🎒 Student Transitions
Open house meetings continue & student visits scheduled for all impacted families.
- 👥 Staff Reassignment
Foster school positions posted and info session held for all interested internal staff
- 💰 Financial Activities
Budget work for additional staffing, materials, and moving expenses for June.
District Transition Plan
The "status" column will be updated monthly.
28 Total Milestones
2 💯 Complete
8 ✔️ On Track
9 🚼 Beginning
4 🔜 Starting Soon
5 🛣️ Down the Road
| Category | Milestone | Status | Period* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 📢 Communications Follow a student-centered communications plan with equitable, inclusive, transparent engagement |
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| Communications | Coordinate engagement with schools, families, PTAs and the community | ✔️ On Track | Winter-Summer |
| Communications | Develop and update a district webpage School Transition Hub | 💯 100% Complete | Winter |
| Communications | Provide outreach to families of impacted students and students with specialized needs | 🚼 Just Beginning | Spring-Summer |
| 👥 Staff Reassignment Incorporate equitable placement practices following contractual agreements with clear and transparent communication |
|||
| Staff Reassignment | Meet with Staff at Dr. Bessie Rhodes, Kingsley, and Willard Schools | 💯 100% Complete | Winter |
| Staff Reassignment | Finalize district-wide staff reassignments | ✔️ On Track | Winter |
| Staff Reassignment | Plan staffing for updated sections and for students with specialized needs | ✔️ On Track | Winter-Spring |
| Staff Reassignment | Finalize internal staffing assignments for all schools | 🚼 Just Beginning | Spring |
| Staff Reassignment | Coordinate with schools to onboard impacted staff | 🛣️ Down the Road | Summer |
| 📦 Asset & Materials Management Inventory, assign, pack, move, and settle all valued school materials in a coordinated, timely, and cost-effective manner |
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| Asset & Materials | Coordinate with staff and teachers to Inventory furniture, equipment, instructional materials, and supplies. | ✔️ On Track | Winter |
| Asset & Materials | Develop a disposition plan to best reallocate, reuse, sell, donate, recycle, and dispose of all inventoried items. | 🚼 Just Beginning | Spring |
| Asset & Materials | Schedule a box & ship week after school is out to support a coordinated and resourced process to assemble, catalog, track, ship, and deliver school furniture and materials. | 🔜 Starting Soon | Spring |
| Asset & Materials | Prepare Dr. Bessie Rhodes and Kingsley building for future use or sale. | 🛣️ Down the Road | Fall |
| 🎒 Student Transitions Support academic and program continuity via family engagement events, transparent and equitable registration processes, and school safety planning |
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| Student Transitions | Coordinate with schools to provide initial family transition and orientation forums. | ✔️ On Track | Winter |
| Student Transitions | Process student registration, including permissive transfers and TWI strand placements. | ✔️ On Track | Spring |
| Student Transitions | Determine final sections by grade for each school to finalize classroom rosters. | ✔️ On Track | Spring |
| Student Transitions | Identify and transition impacted school partnerships and programs. | 🚼 Just Beginning | Spring |
| Student Transitions | Revise bus routes & crossing guards assignments impacted by school and student transitions | 🚼 Just Beginning | Spring |
| Student Transitions | Plan for school closure rituals and legacy events with schools and families. | 🔜 Starting Soon | Spring |
| Student Transitions | Review and update school safety plans as a resource for schools and their respective communities. | 🔜 Starting Soon | Spring |
| 💰 Financial Activities Align budget to goals and transfer/finalize contracts, payments, payroll, and compliance requirements |
|||
| Financial | Develop and track expenditures for a school transition budget. | ✔️ On Track | Winter |
| Financial | Manage contracts and accounts, and update financial systems and platforms affected by new and closing schools. | 🚼 Just Beginning | Spring |
| Financial | Ensure ISBE funding and compliance requirements are met for the opening and closing of schools. | 🚼 Just Beginning | Spring-Summer |
| 📊 Evaluation Reporting Report academic, equity, and transition accountability to the School Board and community |
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| Evaluation | Develop a metrics and accountability framework to evaluate the school transition process and outcomes. | 🚼 Just Beginning | Spring |
| Evaluation | Identify and establish baseline academic & demographic profiles for impacted students. | 🚼 Just Beginning | Spring |
| Evaluation | Conduct an impact analysis for identified academic & equity indicators. | 🔜 Starting Soon | Spring-Fall |
| Evaluation | Develop and administer qualitative tools to capture family and staff feedback. | 🛣️ Down the Road | Spring-Fall |
| Evaluation | Produce an initial evaluation report for the 2026 school transition process. | 🛣️ Down the Road | Winter 2026-2027 |
| Evaluation | Produce a summative impact analysis report to assess the transition and experience and impact on student academic, social, and emotional outcomes. | 🛣️ Down the Road | School Year 2027-2028 |
*2026 calendar year unless noted otherwise
School Assignment Notifications
In the first week of February, all District 65 families received an email with their child(ren)’s school assignment for the 2026-2027 school year. The purpose of this notification is to ensure all parents/guardians are aware of their child’s school assignment for the 2026-2027 school year and understand their options.
Action is required: Families MUST confirm the assignment, request a permissive transfer, or indicate a return to their designated home school by March 1, 2026.
To view your child’s school assignment for next year, open the attachment and enter your child’s birthdate (MMDDYYYY) as the password. If you need technical support, please visit our PowerSchool webpage or connect with a member of our team on or before March 1.
How to Complete the School Assignment Form:
Open School Assignment Email
Open the email attachment and enter your child’s birthdate (MMDDYYYY) to view their school assignment.
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When was this sent? Many families received this February 4, 2026. Some families may have received it on February 5, 2026.
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What is the subject line? 2026-2027 School Assignment / Asignación de escuela para el ciclo 2026-2027
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Can I complete the form without opening the attachment? Yes! Just begin with Step 2 below.
Log into PowerSchool Parent Portal
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Username: your email address
-
Password: if you’ve forgotten your password, click “Forgot Username or Password.” If you do not receive a link with instructions, please email registrationinfo@district65.net.
- For additional help, visit the D65 PowerSchool page
Navigate to the Form
- Select Forms on the left-hand side of your screen.
- On the Forms page, under the Enrollments tab, click the form titled 2026-27 School Assignment.
Complete the Form
- Select one of three options, which are explained in detail within the form:
- Accept New Assigned School
- Request to Attend Local-Area School (Home School)
- Request a Permissive Transfer
- Fill in any additional information as needed.
Complete for Additional Students
If you have another student enrolled in District 65, select your next student at the top left (under the PowerSchool SIS logo) and repeat for each student.
Upcoming Events
Schedule of school open houses in February and March
| date/time | location | meeting | topics | links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2/20/2026 8:00-8:45 a.m. |
Lincolnwood Elementary 2600 Colfax St. |
Lincolnwood Prospective Family Tour |
Please plan to arrive at the main entrance (Door #1, on Colfax) a few minutes before the tour begins, and check in at the front office. The tour is geared towards adults but students are welcome if parents/caregivers feel that their child will be able to engage with the tour. |
RSVP |
|
2/21/2026 10 a.m.-noon |
Kingsley Elementary |
In-person enrollment support |
D65 staff will be on-site to answer questions in English or Spanish related to:
|
One-page explainer of the school assignment process (action required by March 1, 2026): English / Spanish Email explaining the process, supports available, and more: English / Spanish |
|
2/25/2026 8:15-8:45 a.m. |
Orrington Elementary 2636 Orrington Ave. |
Orrington Prospective Family Tour |
Please plan to arrive at the main entrance (Door #1) a few minutes before the tour begins, and check in at the front office. The tour is geared towards adults but students are welcome if parents/caregivers feel that their child will be able to engage with the tour. |
RSVP |
PAST MEETINGS
| date/time | location | meeting | topics | links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2/18/2026 4:45-5:30 p.m. |
Willard Elementary 2700 Hurd Ave. |
Willard Prospective Family Tour |
Please plan to arrive at the main entrance (Door #1) a few minutes before the tour begins, and check in at the front office. The tour is geared towards adults but students are welcome if parents/caregivers feel that their child will be able to engage with the tour. |
RSVP |
|
2/17/2026 8:15-9:00 a.m. |
Willard Elementary 2700 Hurd Ave. |
Willard Prospective Family Tour |
Please plan to arrive at the main entrance (Door #1) a few minutes before the tour begins, and check in at the front office. The tour is geared towards adults but students are welcome if parents/caregivers feel that their child will be able to engage with the tour. |
RSVP |
|
2/14/2026 9 a.m.-noon |
Fleetwood Jourdain Community Center 1655 Foster St. |
In-person enrollment support |
D65 staff will be on-site to answer questions in English or Spanish related to:
|
One-page explainer of the school assignment process (action required by March 1, 2026): English / Spanish Email explaining the process, supports available, and more: English / Spanish |
|
2/12/2026 8:15-8:45 a.m. |
Orrington Elementary 2636 Orrington Ave. |
Orrington Prospective Family Tour |
Please plan to arrive at the main entrance (Door #1) a few minutes before the tour begins, and check in at the front office. The tour is geared towards adults but students are welcome if parents/caregivers feel that their child will be able to engage with the tour. |
RSVP |
|
2/11/2026 8:00-8:45 a.m. |
Lincolnwood Elementary 2600 Colfax St. |
Lincolnwood Prospective Family Tour |
Please plan to arrive at the main entrance (Door #1, on Colfax) a few minutes before the tour begins, and check in at the front office. The tour is geared towards adults but students are welcome if parents/caregivers feel that their child will be able to engage with the tour. |
RSVP |
| 1/22/2026 |
Joseph E. Hill Education Center 1500 McDaniel Ave., Evanston |
Special Board of Education Meeting |
|