2024-2025 Open Enrollment Information
****** Iowa WILL have Open Enrollment Deadlines again. ***** The deadline for 2024 is prior to JULY 1ST. Starting July 1, open enrollment will need to have just cause. (Details from State Dept of Education below).
*If your student is currently open enrolled into another district, you do not need to do anything.
*If your student will be attending the district that you reside in, you do not need to do anything.
*If your intention was for your student to attend a district that you do NOT reside in, and they didn't attend last year, you MUST complete paperwork by July 1st. Paperwork can be picked up at the district you live in, or the district you wish your child to attend.
Note: These deadlines do not apply for students wishing to apply for open enrollment to attend approved online schools. They may continue to open-enroll in an approved online school at any time.
Regarding students who apply to open enroll due to bullying/harassment: Students who experience founded cases by the resident district of bullying/harassment (pervasive harassment) have good cause for open enrollment after the deadline. The resident district would need to approve first because they have to do an investigation to prove whether or not the bullying really occurred.
Additional good cause circumstances for waiving the March 1 deadline (or September 1 for preschoolers with an IEP and incoming kindergarteners) include the following:
Change in family district of residence
Change in child’s residence from one parent or guardian to the residence of a different parent or guardian
Change in the state in which the family residence is located
Change in the marital status of the student's parents resulting in a change in resident district
Change in guardianship or custody proceeding that results in a change in resident district
Placement of the child in foster care resulting in a change of residence
Adoption
Participation in a foreign exchange program
Initial placement of a preschool student in a special education program requiring SDI
Participation in a substance abuse or mental health treatment program resulting in a change of residence
Change in the status of a child’s resident district such as removal of accreditation by the Iowa State Boardof Education (State Board), surrender of accreditation, or permanent closure of a private school after March 1
Revocation of a charter school contract as provided in section 256F.8
Failure of district negotiations for whole grade sharing or the rejection of a whole grade sharing agreement after March 1
The request must be filed within 45 days of last board action or within 30 days of certification of an election, whichever is applicable. This is only applicable to affected students.
Failure of district negotiations for reorganization or rejection of a proposed reorganization plan after March 1
The request must be filed within 45 days of the last board action or within 30 days of certification of an election, whichever is applicable. This is only applicable to affected students.
Failure of district negotiations for a dissolution agreement after March 1
The request must be filed within 45 days of the last board action or within 30 days of certification of an election, whichever is applicable. This is only applicable to affected students.
Loss of accreditation or permanent closure of a private school after March 1
Circumstances not defined above that would be considered good cause (and subject to the approval of the board of the resident district and the board of the receiving district) include:
Repeated student harassment that the resident district cannot adequately address or
The child has a serious health condition that a school district cannot adequately address
