Family link is a tool for households with multiple children applying in grades K-12. It’s a way of telling us that the family prefers that all children should be assigned to the same school during the K–12 Main Round, even if that means they may receive a lower-ranked choice. Within the NCAP, there is a screen asking whether to opt in or opt out of Family Link. Children can only be considered for placement together if Family Link is opted in and all school choices are ranked in the exact same order. This can be done for some or all children on a given account, as long as the same schools are ranked in the same order and all students being linked are eligible for the schools listed. If there are different parents applying for related students, the Family Link section of the NCAP provides a number code you can enter to link related students from different households together.
Some families want to have all the same school choices for all their children, but they also want each of their children to have the best chance at getting their highest ranked placement. Families in this situation should opt out of Family Link and understand that their students may not be assigned to the same school.
If families are applying to a school with a testing or open house requirement for more than one child and one of the children is not eligible, Family Link will be automatically disabled, allowing the eligible student to move forward with that Eligibility School application choice.
If a family has more than one child born together in the same birth event, like twins, there are some special procedures for enrolling them together during Main Round. If one of the twins gets placed at a school they applied to, the other twin will also get in if they applied to the same schools, in the same order, and are eligible to attend. This only happens if all students completed a Main Round application on time with Family Link opted in. The schools will check to make sure they are siblings before they start school.
*Please note that for schools with Eligibility Criteria, each child will need to meet eligibility requirements to be placed together. If a student is not eligible for one of the ranked schools on their application, Family Link will not apply.
Sibling Priority: If a student applies to a school that their sibling already attends and will continue attend next year, the student will receive sibling priority in the Main Round. Please note that siblings can EITHER share a parent/guardian OR a residence.
On the student’s NCAP, there is a space for families to indicate if the student has a sibling who will be continuing to attend the school next year. For most schools, families do not need to take any additional steps to qualify for sibling priority, simply naming the student’s sibling on the application is sufficient. However, some schools require the sibling relationship to be verified in order to receive the sibling priority.
The applying student’s sibling must be continuing to attend for the applying year for the applicant to receive sibling priority. For example, if a student applying to 9th grade at Edna Karr has a sibling who is currently a 12th grader at Edna Karr, the 9th grader will not qualify for sibling priority because the student’s sibling will not be attending Edna Karr for the school year for which the sibling is applying.
For applying students who are multiples, the placement process is unique. If one child (but not all children of a set of multiples), concurrently applying to attend school, is matched to a school on their application, the other multiples will also be matched. Multiples will only be matched with their sibling(s) if all students have submitted timely, family-linked applications per standard enrollment procedures. Please note that for schools with Eligibility Criteria, each child will need to meet eligibility requirements to be placed together. If a student is not eligible for one of the ranked schools on their application, family link will not apply.
Sibling Verification
For some schools, sibling preference must be verified. Verification of priority is a process to make sure that students who self-report they should receive priority qualify for the priority.
Schools whose entry grade (the earliest grade the school offers) filled in the previous Main Round must complete priority verification for applying students. For example, a K-8 school that filled in the Main Round for SY26-27 will participate in sibling priority verification for grades K-8 in the Main Round for SY27-28.
At these schools, the sibling relationship must be verified in order to be eligible for student priority. The family will provide documentation to the school that meets a burden of proof set forth by the district to demonstrate either: A biological or legal sibling relationship through one or more common parents or legal guardians OR shared household status among siblings through a common address. These priorities shall be verified in coordination between the applicant and the school. Families shall have the ability to appeal the school’s review of sibling status within one week of the close of the Main Round application.
Schools Requiring Sibling Verification for Main Round 2027-2028
Verification required for:
Please read the Sibling Verification Directions to verify sibling status at these schools. Verifications must be completed by January 29, 2027. Schools offer online and/or in person options.
Please note that Lake Forest and Willow only offer sibling priority for kindergarten applicants.
Required Documentation
Documents should be submitted to the applicant’s sibling’s school. Documentation can be submitted in-person or electronically depending on the directions from the school. All applicants seeking to verify sibling priority must provide matching documentation that lists the parent/guardian’s name and the siblings’ names. Documentation should be active and issued by a governmental agency. Options include: