Frequently Asked Questions

1. Check Eligibility

Full‑year WANIC programs are for:

• 11th and 12th grade students (some accept 10th graders with approval).
• Students must be actively registered at a public high school in one of these districts:
  Bellevue, Issaquah, Lake Washington, Mercer Island, Northshore, Riverview, Snoqualmie Valley. 

➡️ Private & homeschool students must first register with their local public high school before applying.

2. Learn About the desired Program

Before applying:

• Review program descriptions, course expectations, prerequisites, schedules, and locations.
• Make sure it fits with graduation requirements.

3. Follow the Correct District‑Specific Application Process

This part is very important.
Depending on the student's home district, the student may not be applying through the WANIC application link.

For most students:

Use the WANIC online application system (powered by SchoolMint):
👉 https://applywanic.schoolmint.com/login 

BUT if the Student is in one of these districts:

• Bellevue School District (BSD): Apply through Synergy, not the WANIC application, for programs within BSD.
• Issaquah School District (ISD): Talk to the counselor to apply for in‑district WANIC classes.
• Northshore School District (NSD): Fill out the NSD Satellite Program Interest Form for in‑district classes.
• Riverview School District (RSD): See the counselor to apply for in‑district classes.

Use the WANIC online application only if the student is applying to a program outside your home district.

4. Submit the Application During the Application Window

Be sure to apply during the Priority Application Window which closes 3/31 to be considered in the primary seat allocation process.

5. Wait for Confirmation from the Host District

Once your application is approved by the sending school and host district you will receive an email confirmation.

6. Final Scheduling

After the student is officially enrolled:

• The school counselor adjusts the student's schedule so the student attends WANIC for half the day and their home high school for the other half. 

⭐ Summary: What You Actually Need to Do

1. Make sure you’re enrolled in a public high school.
2. Review programs on the WANIC website.
3. Use the correct application method (varies by district).
4. Submit your application before March 31 for priority.
5. Watch for lottery results in late April.
6. The student's schedule will be adjusted by their high school counselor once accepted.

Students at WANIC Skill Center may earn Dual Credits (high school credit AND college credit) through many of our programs. 

Pacific NW College Credit is one of the organizations that WANIC works with for students to have the opportunity to earn Dual Credits. Many agreements are with Bellevue College and Lake Washington Institute of Technology. The Pacific NW College Credit articulation agreements allow students to earn college credit if they maintain an 85% or better over the course of two semesters. The Pacific NW College Credit program provides a number of benefits to students, parents and teachers. Some of those benefits include the following:

1. Students can earn college credit for professional/technical courses taken within the high school that are managed through the articulation process.
2. Students can streamline their secondary and post-secondary education by not enrolling for coursework that repeats competencies they have already gained through high school classes.
3. Students can spend less on tuition, fees, and books.
4. Students can generally use up to 15 credits of professional/technical coursework toward their transfer degree if they choose to continue on to a four-year university. As in all cases the post-secondary institutions have the final say on acceptance of any credit .
5. Dual Credits promotes a smooth transition for students from secondary to post-secondary institutions.
6. Students can gain higher skill levels - while not spending valuable time in college retaking courses already completed in the high school.
7. The Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges reports that students who receive dual credit: 1) generally show a higher grade point average than their peers while in college, 2) are more likely to transition to their local community college, and 3) are more likely to stay in college.
8. Please visit this page for additional information on CTE Dual Credit college credit processes.

✅ Step‑by‑Step Walkthrough

1. Go to the Application Website

Visit the official portal:
👉 https://applywanic.schoolmint.com/login  

There are two choices:

• A Guardian Login panel
• A sign‑up form if you don’t already have an account

2. Create a Guardian Account (First‑Time Users)

If this is the first time applying fill in:

• Guardian First Name
• Guardian Last Name
• Cell Phone Number (optional, can enable text notifications)
• Guardian Email + confirmation
• Password + confirmation
• Preferred language
• Preferred communication method (email/phone/text)

Note: A guardian account must be created. The student’s info gets added inside the application later.

3. Log In

After creating the account:

• Log in with your email + password
• Or use Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter to sign in [apply.wanic.org]

4. Start a New Application

Once logged in, the dashboard will include an option to “Start Application” for the Full‑Year WANIC Programs.

The guardian begins the application.
Enter:

Student Information

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Grade level
• Home high school
• District
• Contact information

Program Selection

• Select the specific, desired  full‑year program
• Choose preferred session if there is more than one option.
  The available courses and details match those listed on the WANIC site.
• Only a single choice is available for full year programs. If the student does not get placed in the seat allotment process, WANIC will reach out individually to determine if the student has another choice.

5. Complete All Required Application Sections

✔ Student background information

✔ Emergency contacts

✔ Acknowledgments (policies, attendance expectations, etc.)

WANIC outlines program expectations clearly in their course guide, and some programs may have prerequisites or extra requirements (e.g., DigiPen requires an info session). 

✔ Required approvals

Your sending school (career specialist or counselor) will complete this step; they must approve your application before it is considered. 

6. Submit the Application

Once all sections are complete:

• Click Submit
• You’ll get a confirmation that your application has been received in the system.

Your parent/guardian may get a verification email if the system requires it.

⚠️ District‑Specific Reminder

You should use the online application only if your district doesn't require a different process.

For example:

• BSD students → apply in Synergy for BSD‑hosted programs
• NSD students → fill out the NSD Satellite Program Interest Form for in‑district classes
• ISD + RSD students → talk to your counselor for in‑district processes

If you're applying outside your district, use the online application portal.

When a student applies to a full‑year WANIC Skill Center program, the application must be approved by the sending school (the counselor or career specialist). This approval step is built into the WANIC application workflow, so the school is automatically notified.

Here’s how the school becomes aware:

1. The WANIC Online Application Requires School Approval

The Sending school (Career Specialist or counselor) must approve application before it will be considered for enrollment.

This means:
Once the guardian submits the application through the WANIC online system, the system automatically forwards it to your school for review.

The counselor or career specialist receives:

• The application details
• The program the student is applying to
• A request to approve, deny, or follow up

The student and their family do not have to separately notify the school — the system does that for you.

2. For Private/Homeschool Students: You Must Inform the High School

WANIC requires private or homeschool students to register with their local public high school and tell the registrar they are applying to WANIC.

This ensures the school adds you into the system and is aware of your application because even though the student doesn't attend there, they will still be processing the application for eligibility.

Skill Center programs offer 1.5 Occupational Education/CTE credit per semester. Most of the programs at WANIC offer an equivalency credit option as well. All students enrolled in the program complete the work required for the equivalency credit whether they need towards graduation requirements or not. Instructors keep grades for each of the equivalencies their program offers. These credits are reported each semester to the home high school. Check individual program descriptions for specific course equivalency available. You can also check the Time, Location, Credits sheet here.

WANIC Skill Center is an extension of the home high school and works cooperatively in regard to discipline consequences. As an example, when a student receives a suspension from their home high school, they are suspended from WANIC Skill Center too. If there is a discipline issue while the student is in attendance at WANIC, it will be referred back to the home high school per the consortium agreement. Communication is essential to the success of the process. It is also requested the home high school communicate with the WANIC Skill Center office if a student is suspended or expelled at their high school so that we can enforce the suspensions or expulsion at WANIC as well.

These are basic eligibility requirements for WANIC full-year programs:

• Student must be (and remain) actively registered at sending school.
• Grades accepted: 11^th and 12^th grade (some programs will accept 10^th graders, if approved by sending school and if space available)
• Parent/Guardian create account and submit application here: Full Year Courses (application link will be visible only during the application window)
• Sending school (Career Specialist or counselor) must approve application before it will be considered for enrollment
• Applicants to DigiPen programs must attend a DigiPen Info Session (held monthly via Zoom).
• Some programs have pre-requisites. More information can be found on the Full Year Courses page.
• If student has accommodations on a 504 or IEP, sending school support team must meet with WANIC Special Services coordinator before WANIC can proceed with the enrollment process.
• If student will be enrolled in an adult transition program, sending school support team must meet with WANIC Special Services coordinator before WANIC can proceed with the enrollment process.

Skill Center classes are year-long and run Monday-Friday.

They follow the academic calendar of the district providing the skill center program. Programs offered at Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LW Tech) and DigiPen follow the academic calendar of Lake Washington School District (LWSD).

More information about the daily schedule for specific programs can be found on our Times, Locations, Credits page.

WANIC has established the following guidelines to promote communication and processes that streamline the availability of service to students with special needs in their preparation for a career and technical education.

WANIC is a preparatory career and technical education school designed to prepare students for employment and post-secondary training and is not designed, by definition, to serve as an exploratory program. The guidelines are designed to enhance each student’s success.

1. Communicate information regarding disability status (SPED, 504 etc.) for students who have been identified as needing special services. Before the student attends a WANIC program, the Individual Educational Plan (IEP) and most recent psychological evaluation records need to be submitted to WANIC.

2. Each school district or high school will designate a special education/needs person to act as the contact person for the Skill Center regarding issues/needs relating to special education/needs students from the sending high school or district. The WANIC Special Education Liaison /or designee will serve as the Skill Center contact person(s).

3. All Skill Center students must be able to demonstrate safe working behaviors and habits as evidenced by passing program related safety assessments and instructor observations.

Please visit WANIC Supports page for more information

Students enrolled in consortium area high schools, who have not earned a high school diploma.

• Home-schooled and private school students who are registered with their local WANIC Consortium school district who have not earned a high school diploma.
• Out-of-consortium high school students may be eligible on a space available basis with a signed shared student agreement. Contact the WANIC office for more information.

WANIC requires that a sending school counselor or career specialist approves the application before WANIC will consider it.

“Sending school (Career Specialist or counselor) must approve application before it will be considered for enrollment.” 

A counselor might deny approval for reasons such as:

1. Graduation requirement conflicts

If taking a 3‑period WANIC block prevents you from completing mandatory high‑school classes.

2. Schedule conflicts

Some schools have required periods or classes that overlap with WANIC’s schedule (WANIC runs in 3‑period blocks every day).

3. Credit deficiency / on-track status

WANIC requires students to be on track to graduate.
If you’re behind on credits, counselors may deny your request.

4. Grade level eligibility

Programs are designed for 11th & 12th grade students, with limited 10th grade exceptions.

5. Pre‑requisites not met

Some programs require specific prep classes or attendance at an info session. 

Full Year skill center programs are designed for 11th and 12th graders.

A few programs will accept 10th graders but sending schools can deny approval even to programs that will accept 10th graders to ensure these students graduation path is better established.

The student's course schedule must be arranged and approved with the counselor.

Class and travel time should be considered. Information is subject to change; please verify the skill center program schedule with the school hosting the class. Students, Guardians and Sending School Staff must understand that block schedule conflicts must be resolved by splitting the difference; neither the WANIC program nor the Sending School is expected to accommodate the conflicts without a compromise.

There are no tuition or application fees! 

Lab, uniform, or supply fees may apply to some classes. Financial Aid through Washington State's Barrier Reduction Funds may be available for qualifying students.

Please visit our Barrier Reduction Funds Page for more information.

WANIC sends High School Transcription information directly to the student's home high school after grades are posted after Semester 1 and Semester 2.

Please contact the registrar at your home high school to find out the timeline when grades will be available on the student's official/permanent transcript.

If the student is looking for their college transcript, information regarding that process can be found on the CTE Dual Credit - College Credit page.

WANIC does not issue transcripts to families, please contact the student's high school or the organization that facilitates college transcripts.

Depending on the withdrawal date and circumstances, the following are in place:

• If a student withdraws before the first day of class, the course will not be reflected on the student’s high school transcript.
• If the student attends the class and withdraws during the first 10 school days of the semester, the class will be included on the high school transcript with a mark/grade of “W” (Withdraw). Please see Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 392-415-070  for information regarding mandatory high school transcript contents. “W” does not impact the student’s GPA.
• If the student withdraws after the first 10 school days of class, the mark/grade of “N” (No Pass) is used. WANIC’s Director may consider special circumstances for issuing a “W” mark/grade after the 10 school day window has passed.

Strong Attendance is key to success in WANIC programs.

Please visit WANIC's Attendance Policy page for more information.

Additional information can be found in the Student and Guardian Handbook

Please review the Student and Guardian handbook on this page.

WANIC’s primary goals is to prepare students for post-secondary education or a rewarding career in any field.

We value, model, and teach skills that set students up to be successful, respected, and confident members of society during high school and beyond. WANIC faculty and staff devote their time and energy into cultivating a culture of mutual respect, safety and inclusivity, positive social behavior, and high academic standards.

We call this the WANIC Way.

The WANIC Way emphasizes attitude, reliability, professionalism, initiative, respect, and integrity. At the forefront is the value we place on students showing up every day, on time, prepared to participate in class, contribute to a positive culture, and ready to reap the rewards of personal growth, academic achievement, and a sense of accomplishment.

Be Safe. Be Responsible. Be Respectful. Be Present.

More information can be found on the WANIC Way page.

There are different processes for earning college credit in skill center classes

Most Skill Center classes have an opportunity for Dual Credit (both high school credit and college credit). Find out more on our CTE Dual Credit - College Credit page.

Specific Course Expectations are included on each Program Information Page.

You can also review them on our Course Expectations page.

WANIC Skill Center full year programs are PREPARATORY rather than EXPLORATORY.

Several classes have prerequisites to better ensure the student's success in a preparatory program. Each Program page lists the specific prerequisites or you can review them on the Prerequisites page.

By submitting a WANIC application the Student & Guardian should understand the WANIC Application Agreement.

Please review the WANIC Application Agreement page.

You can reach out to skill center teachers by email

WANIC is happy to connect students and families with teachers; you can email wanic@lwsd.org with your request. Alternatively, WANIC Skill Center Teacher Contact information can be found on the Teacher Contact page.