Enrollment in the SEEC program is based upon an annual random number drawing lottery process that includes consideration of factors such as guardians’ place of employment, child’s birth date, and sibling status. Smithsonian employees get priority for all open spaces at SEEC. Each spring, enrollment is determined for the upcoming fall through the lottery process.  

Mid Year Openings

If a vacancy occurs during the school year, a child will be selected from the remaining applicants according to the same lottery results, but always giving priority to Smithsonian staff members. If spaces are still available after the waitlist is exhausted, late applications will be evaluated as they are received. POST LOTTERY APPLICATION – CLICK HERE: If you missed the March 1, 2024 application for the lottery deadline and interested in applying for the 2024-2025 school year.

Lottery Process 

All applicants must submit an application by March 1st to be eligible for the enrollment lottery. Applications received after March 1st will be added to the bottom of the waitlist in their respective category. Offers for space will be extended via email following the lottery in March. A non-refundable registration fee and partial student deposit will be due at the time of acceptance to guarantee a child’s enrollment.  The remainder of the student deposit is due by mid-summer. 

Enrollment Open Houses and Tours: 

Open Houses for each of our age groups are hosted annually in December, January, and February, ahead of the lottery. Please email SEEC-Enrollment@si.edu for information about tours outside of that time frame.

For questions concerning enrollment, please email SEEC-Enrollment@si.edu.