Open Enrollment

Link to DPI OE Home page

For further information or questions about the Open Enrollment program, please contact Amanda Stewart, Debbie Hoppe or Kimberly Purcell in the Student Services office at 414-773-1080.


GENERAL INFORMATION

Beginning in fall, 1998, parents in Wisconsin have the option of having their child(ren) attend any public school in the state where there is space available at the grade level or program requested.  The Student Services department manages all aspects of this program, from application to school assignment.  Currently, 1116 students attend school in Wauwatosa through this program option.  Students who are currently attending the school district and move and siblings of current students in the district have legislative priority for admittance to the open enrollment program where space is available.  It is the responsibility of the parent to provide transportation to/from school.

The Open Enrollment application period is established in state law as beginning the first Monday in February.  Application periods for upcoming school years:

  • 2014-2015: February 3, 2014
  • 2015-2016: February 2, 2015
  • 2016-2017: February 1, 2016
  • 2017-2018: February 6, 2017
  • 2018-2019: February 5, 2018

 

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING
OPEN ENROLLMENT

  
 
Q:        When is the Open Enrollment period? 
A:         The enrollment perios for 2013-14 has CLOSED. Acceptance/denial letters will be sent by June 7, 2013.
 
Q:      How do I apply for my child to attend a Wauwatosa School District school?
A:        Applications are taken at the district office at 12121 W. North Ave. An online version is available from the Department of Public instruction. There will be a link to the site on the Wauwatosa School District webpage. The portal for the 2014-2015 school year will not be open until 12:01 a.m. on February 3, 2014. If you do not have a computer you many come into the district office and a computer will be available for your use.  There will be a staff member on site to assist you.   NO EARLY OR LATE APPLICATIONS ARE ACCEPTED FOR ANY REASON.
 
Q:       How are students chosen?
A:       Students are chosen in a lottery, placed on a wait list in the order that they are drawn. From this list students are approved when space is available.
 
Q:       I was one of the first ones to drop off my application, how did my child end up so far down the wait list?
A:        By having a lottery all students have the same chance, even those that drop off their application on the last day of the Open Enrollment period.
 
Q:       I have several younger students in the Wauwatosa School District; will my older child automatically be approved?
A:        No, siblings are given preference; they have a separate lottery from the other applications, but if there are more sibling applications received than space available they would not be approved. If no space is available in the grade they are applying for then the student would not be approved.
 
Q:       How many seats are available for the 2013-2014 school year? 
A:        The school board will decide in late December or early January how space will be made available. In the past seats have been decided by class size, 23:1 in the core curricular classes at middle and high school.
 
Q:       I applied for Open Enrollment for my child last year, are they still on the wait list?
A:        No, the wait list is no longer valid after the 3rd Friday in September. A new wait list starts with every Open Enrollment period. You must reapply each year you want your child to be considered for Open Enrollment if they have not yet been approved to attend.
 
Q:       Last year I received an approval from Milwaukee Public Schools but when I called the Wauwatosa School District they said my child was not approved, please explain.
A:        According to state law the non resident school districts must send out approval and denial letters by June 7, 2013 for the 2013-14 school year. The resident district also sends out letters of approval or denial to leave the resident district. Approval of the resident district to leave does not mean that the non resident district must approve the student, nor does approval of the non resident district mean that the resident district must approve the application. If you do not receive an approval from the Wauwatosa School District your child may not attend. 
 
Q:       Is there busing transportation available through Open Enrollment?
A:       No, there is no transportation provided. Transportation is the responsibility of the parent.
 
Q:       May I request a specific school in the Wauwatosa School District for my child?
A:       Yes, there is a space on the form to select a specific school, and also to be considered for only that school.If your child is            approved to attend there is no guarantee the school you requested will be assigned.  It is up to the parent to accept the
           assignment or decline. There is no guarantee that siblings will be assigned to the same school.
 
 
 
 
New Open Enrollment Approvals By Year And Grade
Number of Open Enrollment Applications/New Approvals By Year
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The Wauwatosa School District does not discriminate on the basis of a person's color, sex, race, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability.
Wauwatosa School District · 12121 West North Avenue · Wauwatosa, WI 53226 · 414-773-1000