Iowa Open Enrollment

How to attend a different public school district

What Is Open Enrollment?

Open Enrollment allows Iowa students to attend a public school in a different district than where they live. State funding (~$7,988) follows the student — the receiving district gets the money, the sending district loses it.

It's a big deal: 44,500 Iowa students (9% of all public school students) currently use open enrollment.

How It Works

┌─────────────────┐     ┌─────────────────┐     ┌─────────────────┐
│   Your Home     │     │   You Apply     │     │  Receiving      │
│    District     │ ──▶ │   to New        │ ──▶ │   District      │
│  (loses funding)│     │   District      │     │ (gains funding) │
└─────────────────┘     └─────────────────┘     └─────────────────┘

1. You apply to the district you want to attend
2. Receiving district reviews your application
3. If accepted, your child enrolls in the new district
4. State funding transfers from your home district to the new one

Key Dates

Important: Missing the March 1 deadline doesn't mean you can't transfer — but it gives the receiving district more discretion to accept or deny.

Requirements

Note: Districts cannot deny based on race, religion, or most other factors — but they can deny based on space limitations or other operational reasons.

The Numbers

Common Flow Patterns

Why Families Use Open Enrollment

How to Apply

Step 1: Research

• Identify the district you want to attend
• Check their programs, performance, culture
• Confirm they have space

Step 2: Apply

• Contact the receiving district's enrollment office
• Complete their open enrollment application
• Submit by March 1 (or after with "good cause")

Step 3: Wait for Decision

• District reviews your application
• May take several weeks
• You'll receive written acceptance or denial

Step 4: Enroll

• If accepted, complete enrollment paperwork
• Arrange transportation
• Your child starts in the new district

Transportation

You're responsible for getting your child to and from the receiving district.

Some districts offer:

• Bus pickup at district boundary
• Carpooling coordination with other open enrollment families
• Transportation assistance (varies by district)

Check with the receiving district about their transportation policies.

Open Enrollment vs ESA

Key difference: Open enrollment keeps you in the public system. ESA moves you to private education.

Compare: ESA vs Open Enrollment →

Common Questions

Q: Can the receiving district deny my application?

A: Yes, primarily due to space limitations. They cannot deny based on race, religion, or disability.

Q: Can I use open enrollment AND ESA?

A: No. ESA is for private schools. Open enrollment is for public schools. You choose one path.

Q: What if I miss the March 1 deadline?

A: You can still apply. Districts have discretion to accept late applications, especially with "good cause."

Q: Do sports eligibility rules change?

A: Yes. Check with the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) for specific eligibility rules when changing schools.

The Bigger Picture

Open enrollment shows that families want choice. 44,500 Iowa families have already taken action to find a better fit.

But open enrollment has limits:

• Still a public school
• Still a standard schedule
• Limited options in rural areas
• Must be accepted by receiving district

For families wanting more flexibility or different options, ESA + private/online school may be a better fit.

Related Topics

• Iowa School Choice →
• ESA vs Open Enrollment →
• Why Families Switch →
• Virtual School Options →