Does our local school need to be Emily Dickinson?
No. Explorer Community School is open to any family that lives in the Lake Washington School District.

If our child is accepted to Explorer, can the child go to Emily Dickinson for Kindergarten?
Yes. Families enrolled at Explorer Community School have (Home School) status at Emily Dickinson elementary. This allows any Explorer family wishing to enroll a sibling in Kindergarten at Emily Dickinson the ability to do so without applying for a variance.

If we have one child in Explorer, are subsequent siblings automatically accepted.
Yes, a sibling of a student currently attending Explorer Community School is given priority on the Wait List, provided the student joined Explorer Community School by January 15 of the school year prior to the sibling's entry, and provided the sibling's application was received one year before his/her entry or at the time of the student's entry, whichever is more recent.

If I have a child already in another elementary school, can we still apply?
Yes. Applications are always accepted for children of elementary age.

Does Explorer operate on the same time schedule as Emily Dickinson?
No. See the Daily Schedule.

Is there bus service to Explorer?
If you are a family that has Dickinson as your home school you may use the bus service. Parents need to talk with their neighbors to find out about the schedule. Dickinson parents receive a postcard, but Explorer parents do not. The Dickinson office may be contacted for further details.

Is there any extra cost to parents?
Explorer Community School is a Lake Washington School District school, run with District funds. The Explorer Parent Association is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) group which exists to provide further resources for Explorer Community School.

The Explorer Parent Association's primary source of income is voluntary dues. In the 2005-2006 school year $150.00 per student was requested. The Association also relies on corporate matching and fundraising. This money is used to fund things such as field trips, family camp, school events, speakers, and classroom materials.

What commitment does each family make to the school?
Each family commits to a minimum of 3 volunteer hours per week and to active participation in the Parent Association. In addition, one family member must attend the Parent Association's monthly meeting. Volunteer opportunities are flexible and can accommodate working parents.

What kind of volunteer work is there to do?
Parents are needed in the classroom for mentoring, reading groups, math groups and for teaching hour long sessions known as Friday Choice. Parents also coordinate field trips and social events.