Application Form

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Introduction Top

Open enrollment enables Arizona students to attend public schools outside their attendance areas or their districts. Parents, legal guardians and emancipated students may pick up applications at any Mesa school.

Applications should be returned to the school of choice by the first Friday in February for enrollment the next school year. Schools:
    • reject applications that don’t meet criteria set by the district according to state law
    • safeguard class size
    • attempt to preserve continuity for students who are now enrolled

Excess Capacity Top

An estimate of excess capacity for open enrollment is determined by the first Friday in December.  Estimated excess capacity is validated by the first Friday in March, based on student projections and teacher allocations tallied in February.

If no excess capacity exists, the school denies the applications.  If excess capacity is anticipated, the school reviews the applications

Priority of Applications Top

Schools will first offer admission to students who are currently enrolled when application is made for enrollment for the following year.  Other applicants will be admitted if the school has capacity for the applicant’s enrollment at the time of application.  If the school lacks capacity, the applicant will be placed on a waiting list.  The capacity determination will include space availability in the courses requested by the student.

Program Placement Top

Acceptance guarantees placement into a specific program only for students whose eligibility is defined by applicable state or federal law.
Once accepted by the school, students from outside a school’s attendance area follow the same process for program placements as all other students at the school.

Placement in special programs and schools can also be based on the safety and welfare of students and staff.

Notification Top

Prior to May 31, the school will notify accepted applicants and request confirmation that they will attend.  Applicants who don’t respond within two weeks of notification are deleted from the accepted applicant file.

Waiting List Top

The names of eligible applicants who cannot be accommodated are placed on a waiting list.  If space permits, applicants are selected from the waiting list.

Rejection or Revocation Top

The school may reject or revoke applications if:
    •students have been, or are in the process of being, expelled from another school district or other educational institution
    • students are not in compliance with a disciplinary action or a condition imposed by the juvenile court pursuant to A.R.S. § 8-301
    • admission would violate court orders or agreements of desegregation in the districts where the applicants live

Agreement to Honor Rules Top

The school can also reject applications if parents, guardians or students fail to agree to honor all school rules and regulations.

These rules and regulations may include standards for academic effort, conduct and attendance.

This agreement must be made when parents, guardians or emancipated students complete their applications, which outline the expectations of the school

Reassignment Top

Once students are attending their school of choice, they must comply with school rules.  Failure to comply with school rules may result in an alternative assignment.

Before reassignment, the principal consults with the appropriate area assistant superintendent and holds an informal hearing with the student and parent or guardian.  At the hearing, the principal explains the alleged conduct that violates the rules and gives the student an opportunity to respond

After the hearing, the principal decides whether reassignment is appropriate.  Upon request, the decision of the principal is subject to review by the appropriate area assistant superintendent.

Open Enrollment Calendar Top

On or before 1st Friday in February
Parents, guardians and emancipated students submit open enrollment applications to the school of their choice.

Prior to May 31
The school notifies parents, guardians and students whether applications have been accepted. If accepted, the school requests confirmation within two weeks of notification that students will attend.

Between May 31 and start of school
Schools continue to accept applications and maintain a waiting list. Schools make notification if a student is accepted from a waiting list and request confirmation that the applicant will attend school the following year. Acceptance and confirmation continues until the school meets capacity.

After school begins
Schools may accept applicants if the school has capacity.

Introduction| | Excess Capacity | Priority of Applications | Program Placement | Notification | Waiting List 
Rejection or Revocation | Agreement to Honor Rules | Reassignment | Open Enrollment Calendar
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