Open Enrollment
WHAT IS OPEN ENROLLMENT?
A yearly public school enrollment program that allows parents to apply for their children to attend public school in a school district other than the one in which they live in.
WHO CAN APPLY?
Any Wisconsin resident in 4K to grade 12 may apply to attend a nonresident school district if the child's resident school district offers the same type of program, and only if the child is eligible for that program in the resident school district.
WHEN CAN PARENTS APPLY?
The open enrollment application period for the 2024/2025 school year begins on February 7th, 2024 and ends on April 30th, 2024 at 4:00 pm. We strongly encourage parents to utilize the online application, however a printable paper copy of the application is linked below and available on the DPI website. Paper copies are also available in our school office Monday through Friday 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. Parents cannot submit open enrollment applications until Monday, February 7th at the earliest and must submit them no later than 4:00pm on Friday, April 30th.
ALTERNATIVE OPEN ENROLLMENT
Outside of the regular open enrollment period and after July 1st, parents may apply for open enrollment using the alternative application procedure. The alternative open enrollment application must be submitted during the school year in which the student wants to begin attending school in the nonresident school district. It is strongly recommended that the parent contact the nonresident school district before submitting an application to discuss the possibility of the student's transfer.
CAN APPLICATIONS BE DENIED?
Both the nonresident and resident school districts may deny an application for reasons specified in state law. The parent may file an appeal with the DPI within 30 days.
HOW DO STUDENTS GET TO SCHOOL?
Parents are responsible for providing transportation to and from school in the nonresident school district, unless transportation would be required in a child's IEP. Low-income parents may apply to the DPI for reimbursement of a portion of their transportation costs beginning on June 1st and ending on July 15th.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
February 5th- April 30th, 2024 at 4:00 pm- Parents/guardians must submit applications online or directly to the nonresident school district.
June 1st, 2024- DPI Transportation Reimbursement for Open Enrollment Application opens
June 7th, 2024- Nonresident school districts must notify parents/guardians of approval or denial. If the application is denied, parents/guardians have 30 days from the date the notice was postmarked or delivered to the parent/guardian to file an appeal.
June 14th, 2024- Resident school districts must notify parents/guardians of denial (notification of approval is optional). If the application is denied, parents/guardians have 30 days from the date the notice was postmarked or delivered to the parent/guardian to file an appeal.
June 28th, 2024- Parents/guardians of accepted applicants must notify the nonresident district if the student will attend the nonresident district in the 2024-2025 school year. If the parent/guardian fails to make this notification, the nonresident district may refuse to allow the student to attend the district.
July 10th, 2024- Last day the nonresident district denial may be appealed to the DPI
July 15th, 2024- Deadline for parents/guardians to file transportation reimbursement claims (claim form is found on OE DPI website)
July 17th, 2024- Last day the resident district denial may be appealed to the DPI
CONTACT INFORMATION
DPI:
Email: openenrollment@dpi.wi.gov
Phone Number: (888) 245-2732
Website: https://dpi.wi.gov/open-enrollment
White Lake School District Open Enrollment Coordinator: Heather DeHart
Email: hedehart@whitelake.k12.wi.us
Phone Number: (715) 882-2361 ext. 200
Mail: White Lake School District, 405 Bissell St, PO Box 67, White Lake, WI 54491-0067