Everybody moves at least once in their lifetime, and we all know the hardest part about moving  is going to a new school. Making new friends is hard, but it doesn’t have to be that way thanks to open enrollment. Open enrollment is when you enroll in a school district that you do not to live in. For example, if somebody lives in one school school district but wants to attend a different one, then they will have to apply for open enrollment. Each school gets a choice to either have an open enrollment program or keep their school closed to open enrollment.

If a school chooses to participate in open enrollment, then the school sets some ground rules for which students they accept. Jonathan Alder High School principal Michael Aurin  says, ¨… we look at attendance; that’s why we look at behavior and grades…¨

When schools consider open enrollment students, they also think about if it is practical for the student to get to school on time and to attend school. For example, if a student who lives ten minutes away could get to school on time, but anything past twenty minutes could be a little too far.

If a grade level is too full and the resources are getting low they might not be able to accept new students in that grade until there is enough space.

When you open enroll in a school, transportation isn’t always provided, which sometimes leaves students to find their own way to get to school because schools do not have to provide transportation for open enrollment students.

Jonathan Alder’s open enrollment sign ups go from April to late June or early July. It is on a google form posted on the website. Jonathan Alder accepts as many students as possible.

If a student moves into the district during the school year, there are a few steps that the student  would have to do to get considered a resident. When that student moves into the district, the student would have to bring in a bill of some kind (electric, water, ect) to prove residency.

Jonathan Alder does not treat open enrollment students differently or give them different classes. Open enrolled students get treated just like everybody else, which gives everyone a chance to attend the school of their choice.