In the state of Iowa, a parent or guardian residing in a school district may enroll their child in a public school in another school district without paying tuition, provided they comply with filing deadlines and procedures.

Families who meet certain income eligibility guidelines may qualify for transportation assistance from their resident district.

High School students who transfer school districts through open enrollment have a 90 school day waiting period to participate in varsity athletic competition, although they may practice with the team during this time. However, the student may participate immediately in a varsity interscholastic sport if the student is entering grade nine for the first time and did not participate in an interscholastic athletic competition for another school or school district during the summer immediately following eighth grade.

HOW DO I APPLY?

You may request an open enrollment application from any Iowa school district, area education agency or the state department of education. An application must be completed for each child and filed with the receiving school district. However, if the resident district has a diversity plan in place, they must approve or deny the application.

DOES EACH CHILD NEED TO FILE AN APPLICATION?

Yes.

CAN I CHOOSE WHICH SCHOOL MY CHILD WILL ATTEND?

While open enrollment is approved into a district rather than a particular school, you may indicate your first, second and third choice of elementary school by completing the question pertaining to preference of attendance center on the application. (This question is not necessary for grades 6 - 12, as there is only one middle school and one high school.) Every effort is made to place students in their school of first choice, while maintaining balanced class sizes.

WHAT ARE THE PROCEDURES FOR PLACEMENT OF OPEN ENROLLED STUDENTS INTO AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL?

A parent may request an elementary school for placement. Placement is made for the entire school year, based on the availability of space. Once the student has been placed in a building, that school will be considered the "home school" placement of the child for the student's elementary school career. The child living in the attendance area shall have a priority claim on the available space.

IS THERE ANY COST INVOLVED?

Your resident school district will be responsible for paying the cost of tuition each year for your child to attend school in the receiving school district. However, all miscellaneous registration fees for participation in the educational programs will be your responsibility.

DO I NEED TO FILE A NEW APPLICATION EACH YEAR?

No. Once an application is approved, your child may continue in the receiving district until they graduate, or you move from your resident district.

Will the district provide transportation for my child?

If a parent/guardian meets income eligibility guidelines for transportation assistance, application for that assistance should be filed with the resident district. Transportation assistance is available only between contiguous districts. Income eligibility guidelines are available with the open enrollment application packet.

CAN MY REQUEST BE DENIED?

Generally, a request can be denied if there is not classroom space for the student, or if the student is under suspension or expulsion from his/her current school district.

WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS IF THE OPEN ENROLLMENT APPLICATION IS DENIED?

Only if the application for open enrollment was because of repeated acts of harassment or because the child has a serious health condition that the resident district cannot adequately address, may the parent file an appeal with the state Department of Education within 30 days of the Board of Education decision to deny the application.

If the denial is based on a diversity plan and/or any other reasons it may be appealed to district court.

DO WE NEED TO OPEN ENROLL IF WE MOVE AND WANT TO REMAIN IN THE SAME SCHOOL DISTRICT?

Yes. You must file for open enrollment by September 30 following your move, or you may be denied.

WHAT IF WE MOVE TO ANOTHER DISTRICT AFTER WE FILE FOR OPEN ENROLLMENT AND WANT TO CONTINUE TO ATTEND IN THE CURRENT DISTRICT?

Simply send written notification to the new district, the resident district and the current district that you wish to transfer your open enrollment to the new district.

This applies to a move within Iowa only. Out-of-state residents are not eligible for open enrollment and would need to pay tuition to continue.

Bettendorf Community School District