Board approves new attendance boundaries set to start in the 2026-27 school year

This evening, the school board approved new attendance boundaries for elementary and middle schools following a multi-month process that included extensive community engagement and feedback. This decision marks a crucial step in addressing the district's enrollment needs and future planning.

The approved plan: The school board approved Scenario 2A with two key adjustments. These adjustments were informed directly by the feedback received from our community during the latest engagement opportunity. A search tool is available for families and community members to see 2026-27 school assignments for each household. Full details on the process, community feedback gathered and final approved scenario can be viewed in the school board meeting report. 

Implementation timeline: For most students across the district, the new attendance boundaries for elementary and middle schools will go into effect the 2026-27 school year. Please note there is one exception to this timeline – incoming kindergarten students that would have enrolled at Crest View Elementary for the upcoming 2025-26 school year will instead utilize the new attendance boundaries this fall. 

Students who will be entering fifth or eighth grade in 2026-27 and whose household's school assignment will change under the new boundaries will have the option to remain at their current school that year. Families selecting this option will be responsible for providing transportation to and from school. A short form will need to be filled out to do this, which will be available via the Enrollment Center website this November. 

Transition and support: Please know that our entire Osseo Area Schools team is committed to supporting a smooth transition for all staff, students and parents/caregivers. Questions? Connect with school staff or our hotlines: BetterFuture@district279.org or 763-391-8990. 

Background on why attendance boundary changes were needed: Elementary and middle school attendance boundaries are being changed in order to balance student enrollment across the district. These future adjustments, set to take effect in 2026, will reassign the Osseo Area Schools elementary and/or middle school that some households are zoned to attend. 

It’s common for communities to experience changing student enrollment. Our district’s Enrollment and Capacity Management Advisory Committee (ECMAC) has been monitoring these enrollment shifts in conjunction with our school building capacities for the last several years. Their most recent reports have detailed that a significant enrollment imbalance exists and that it should be addressed. 

ECMAC’s work helped to form 2023’s Building a Better Future referendum. A new elementary school and additions to Maple Grove Senior High School were requested to address space constraints from continued growth. It was additionally noted that attendance boundary changes were needed no matter the outcome of the election. Thankfully, our community supported the 2023 referendum request so additional facility space will help to address growth needs, which limits attendance boundary changes to elementary and middle schools and thus impacts fewer families.  

Thank you: Thank you, Osseo Area Schools community, for taking the time to participate in this attendance boundary change process. Your feedback on the initial parameters and proposed scenarios was instrumental in helping to shape the final decision made by the school board this evening. Additionally, thank you in advance for your flexibility with this needed change.