Open Enrollment

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.

Application Information & Deadlines 

Parents/ Guardians considering the use of the Open Enrollment option to enroll their child(ren) in another public school district in the state of Iowa should be aware of the following dates:

• March 1 is the deadline for regular Open Enrollment requests for the following school year for students entering grades 1-12. 
• The open enrollment deadline for students in kindergarten is September 1. 
• Preschool students do not qualify for open enrollment. 
• If the student meets the definition of good cause under 281-Iowa Administrative Code 17.4(1) because of a change in residence or is a kindergarten student, the application can be accepted after March 1.
• Visit the Iowa Department of Education website for more information on deadlines. 

Lewis Central may deny an open enrollment request if one of the following applies:

• The application violates the district’s insufficient classroom space policy
• The district does not have the appropriate special education program
• The student has been expelled or suspended

Important Notes 

• If a parent/guardian moves and wishes for their student to continue at Lewis Central under open enrollment, the request should be submitted as soon as the child moves to another resident district in Iowa.
• A pupil who transfers school districts under open enrollment in grades 9 through 12 shall not be eligible to participate in interscholastic contests and competitions during the first 90 school days of transfer.
• Parents/Guardians of Open Enrolled students whose income falls below 160% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines are eligible for transportation assistance.  This may be in the form of actual transportation or in the form of a cash stipend.
• Open enrollment requests do not need to be renewed annually as long as the receiving district remains the same, open enrollment to that district continues until the student graduates, drops out of school, or until the parent or guardian notifies the district that they desire to terminate the open enrollment. (Iowa Administrative Code 281 - 281 - 17.7 (1)). 
• Download the Iowa Department of Education's Open Enrollment Handbook for more information about the process and a list of frequently asked questions (page 18) 

Iowa Dept. of Education Open Enrollment Forms

Additional Information & Assistance

For more information or assistance with the process, please contact Anna Boehm.

aboehm@lewiscentral.org
712-366-8248