Highly-capable students in the full-time QUEST program at Ben Franklin Elementary in Kirkland will be forced to relocate to new schools next year, according to an email sent to parents by the Lake Washington School District on April 15.

Students will be split between Redmond Elementary and Thoreau Elementary beginning in the 2016-2017 school year. The shift is due to a rise in enrollment and a lack of classroom space at Ben Franklin Elementary, according the email.

The full-time QUEST program, for the most “highly capable students” in the district, is “is designed to meet the needs of students who have been identified as having exceptional cognitive and academic ability” with an accelerated curriculum, according to the LWSD website.

Parents of students at Franklin started a petition on April 29 for a transitional exit for Quest families, delivered to Director of Accelerated Programs Dan Phelan, district Superintendent Dr. Traci Pierce and the LWSD Board of Directors.

The petition had reached 56 signatures as of Friday, May 6.

“We are disappointed that we were not included in the decision-making process and in the poor way it was communicated,” the petition states. “This decision is disruptive to our families and creates undue hardship moving us around like chess pieces.”

Supporters hope to have current QUEST students stay at Franklin until they move to middle school, but have incoming QUEST students be diverted to new schools.

Phelan sent an email to affected parents on Thursday, May 5, scheduling a meeting to discuss the move in person.

“I want to begin by acknowledging the surprise and disappointment this caused you,” Phelan said in the email. “I also want to recognize the deep loyalties you have for Franklin, and assure you that plans are already underway to make your child’s transition to the new school a smooth and welcoming one.”

The meeting, scheduled at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 11 at the district office at Redmond Town Center in Redmond, does not appear to be for public input on changing the decision.

LWSD Communications Director Kathryn Reith said the district would put out a statement on the closure at some point today.