Open Enrollment

How does a parent/guardian open enroll a child?

Open Enrollment is the process by which parents/guardians residing in an Iowa district may enroll their children into another Iowa school district under the terms and conditions of Iowa Code section 282.18 and 281--Iowa Administrative Code 17.

The open enrollment form is available via the Department's web site.  An Open Enrollment handbook is also available.

The completed form must be filed with both the receiving district and the district of residence by March 1 of the year preceding the school year for which open enrollment is desired. The cutoff date for kindergartners is September 1.  

If the district of residence has a desegregation plan, the application must be filed with only the resident district.