The Open Enrollment law permits a wide range of educational choices for students enrolled in schools in Iowa. A parent/guardian may request open enrollment to a district other than the district of residence if application deadlines and/or a good cause (as defined by law) exists.

Open Enroll to a District, Not a Specific School
The application is made to a school district, not a specific school in that district. However the parent or guardian may request a school.

Open enrollment to a specific school in WDMCS will be based on available space in elementary classrooms and reviewed following registration each year. The maximum class size allowed is 26 in grades K-3 and 28 in grades 4-6.

Eligibility
Students who are eligible to enroll in their district of residence, kindergarten through high school, are eligible for open enrollment. Students who move out of the WDMCS and have completed grade 10 may continue to attend school in this district without applying for open enrollment.

Transportation
Transportation to and from a point on a regular school bus route of the receiving district is the responsibility of the parent/guardian, unless economic eligibility requirements are met and the receiving district is next to the resident district.

Athletic Participation
Students who open enroll in grades 9-12 must wait 90 days to participate in interscholastic contests at the varsity level. For questions on eligibility, please contact:

Iowa High School Athletic Association
(515) 432-2011

Application Procedures

Getting an Application
Application forms may also be obtained from:

Learning Resource Center
3550 Mills Civic Parkway
West Des Moines, Iowa 50265

You may also email or call Peggy Epstein at (515) 633-5025.

Returing the Application
Return the completed application to both districts: the district in which you currently live and to the district in which you wish to enroll. For WDMCS, return application to:

WDMCSD/Administrative Services
Attention: Peggy Epstein
3550 Mills Civic Parkway
West Des Moines, Iowa 50265

Instructions & Applications
The following are saved as PDF files and require Adobe Reader.

• 2010-2011 Application
• 2010-2011 Directions/Definitions
• 2009-2010 Application
• Open Enrollment Good Cause List

Links
Application Process/Forms
Causes for Denial
Parent/Guardian Responsibilities
Timelines

Contact Information
Peggy Epstein
(515) 633-5025

Learning Resource Center
3550 Mills Civic Parkway
West Des Moines, IA
50265-5556

Significant Dates
March 1 - Last day for regular open enrollment requests

September 1- Last day for open enrollment requests based on change of residence, good cause or students entering kindergarten.

Area School District Contacts:
Des Moines (515) 242-7707
Johnston (515) 278-0470
Norwalk (515) 981-0676
Urbandale (515) 457-5006
Waukee (515) 987-5161
Dept. of Education (515) 281-8582