JBC: Enrollment

Resident Students

A "resident student" is any child who has attained the age of eligibility for school attendance and lives with a parent or a person acting as a parent who is a resident of the district. Children who are "homeless" as defined by Kansas law and who are located in the district will be admitted as resident students. For purposes of this policy, "parent" means the natural parents, adoptive parents, step-parents and foster parents. For purposes of this policy, "person acting as a parent" means a guardian or conservator, a person liable by law to care for or support the child, a person who has actual care and control of the child and provides a major portion of support or a person who has actual care and control of the child with written consent of a person who has legal custody of the child.

Non-resident Students

Non-resident students are those who do not meet the definition of a resident student.

Currently Enrolled Non-Resident Students

Currently enrolled K-12 non-resident students may be re-admitted through an annual application process and only to the extent that resources and space are available and a student is considered "in good standing" as previously reflected by his/her attendance, conduct, academic history, and with no substantial outstanding fees. The written request shall state if the student is coming from outside of the district or desiring to attend an elementary school outside their residence boundary.

Admitting Non-Resident Students

Non-resident students may be admitted according to the following:

1. Staff members' children may attend any school in the district if enrolled prior to September 20 of the current school year, if they are employed by the district in a position that qualifies for benefits only to the extent that resources and space are available, and a student is considered "in good standing" as previously reflected by his/her attendance, conduct, academic history, and with no substantial outstanding fees. A written request must be submitted to the superintendent by current employees on or before May 1 of the previous school year. New staff must make their request immediately upon being hired (prior to September 20 of the current school year). Currently enrolled K-12 non-resident students, including staff members' children, may be re-admitted through an annual application process and only to the extent that resources and space are available and a student is considered "in good standing" as reflected by his/her attendance, conduct, academic history, and with no substantial outstanding fees. The written request shall state if the student is coming from outside of district or desiring to attend an elementary school outside their residence boundary.
2. 1. Anyone residing outside the district with their new legal residence being constructed or purchased within the district and occupancy is planned within sixty (60) school days after the student has enrolled and attending prior to September 20 of the current school year may attend district schools subject to approval by the superintendent. If occupancy has not occurred within the al-lotted time the student shall not be allowed to continue attending a district school. An extension of time may be granted at the discretion of the superintendent.
   2. Individuals who are residing in temporary housing, but desire their permanent new residence to be in the Auburn-Washburn School District, may seek permission to enroll their children in Unified District 437 from the superintendent. If permanent housing is not found inside the boundaries of the district within a reasonable period, the student(s) shall be required to transfer to their district of residence at an appropriate time.
3. A student who has a school residence in the district continuously between July 1 and December 30, of the preceding school year, and who was enrolled in the district on the immediate preceding September 20 and who is presently residing outside the district because that student's parents sold their residence in the district and are in the process of constructing a new residence within the district and plan the construction of the new residence within the district may attend school for 90 school days during the construction of the new residence. Residency requirements shall be reviewed by the superintendent at the end of said 90 school days.
4. Students whose families move to a residence outside the district during the school year may remain in the USD 437 district, if they so desire, until the end of the school year in which they move. Parents shall be required to furnish transportation to the school or to the nearest bus route transporting students to their child's attendance center.
5. Non-resident students may apply to attend a school in the district. If resources and space are available, the student is considered "in good standing" as documented in the non-resident student application by his/her attendance, conduct, academic history, and with no substantial outstanding fees, and is selected for and completes an interview, then consideration for attendance will be given to the non-resident student. A non-resident student application must be completed in full and submitted to the superintendent on or before August 1 for an interview to be scheduled prior to the first day of school. If approved, the non-resident student must be enrolled prior to September 20. Decisions made on non-resident students that apply to attend a school in the district are final.

Enrollment Restriction

Unless approved in advance by the board, no student, regardless of residency, who has been suspended or expelled from another school district will be admitted to the district until the period of such suspension or expulsion has expired.

Enrollment Procedures

The superintendent shall establish orderly procedures for enrolling all students, including pre-enrollment, changes in enrollment, normal enrollment times and communication to parents and to the public.

Part-Time Students

Students in USD 437 are expected to enroll and attend school full time. However, part-time students with unusual circumstances may enroll upon the recommendation of the principal and approval of the superintendent if they complete all paperwork in a timely fashion and are in attendance no later than September 20. Part-time students may participate only to the extent that resources and space are available and with the approval of the superintendent.

Students in grade levels kindergarten through grade twelve enrolled in private/home-school programs who live within USD 437 boundaries may apply to the school district to participate in specific district courses or programs to the extent that resources and space are available; upon the recommendation of the principal and approval of the superintendent if application is completed and they are in attendance no later than September 20.

High school students in private/home-schools residing in USD 437 desiring to attend Washburn Institute of Technology must enroll one-half time through either Washburn Rural High School or Washburn Rural Alternative High School, whichever school is the home school. Such half-time enrollment must be in attendance at Washburn Institute of Technology.

All private/home-school students must be enrolled and attending by September 20 of each year, unless such date falls on a weekend day: in such case the date is the following school day. Exceptions may be approved by the superintendent; procedures are available by contacting the Clerk of the Board.

The following procedures apply for private/home-school student acceptance in district courses or programs:

1. A parent/guardian must make application for co-enrollment (home-school and public school) in their designated attendance center as determined by the student's home address no later than May 1 of each year (exceptions to the May 1 deadline may be granted by the superintendent of schools.) The principal will forward all such applications to the superintendent of schools with a recommendation based on available staff, facilities, equipment, and supplies.
2. The building principal will determine if sufficient classroom space exists and if an appropriate pupil-teacher ratio exists to allow the enrollment of a private/home-school student.
3. If the application is not recommended by the principal, the superintendent will review the recommendation and if the superintendent concurs with the recommendation, the superintendent will review the possibility of placement in another attendance center based on available staff, facilities, equipment, and supplies.
4. Final approval or disapproval of all private/home-school student attendance center placement rests with the superintendent of schools.
5. The parent/guardian of a private/home-school student must provide evidence of registration of their school with the Kansas State Department of Education at the time of application.
6. All applicable procedures, processes, and scheduling for full- time students will apply to the co-enrolled students as stated in Board of Education Policy and student handbooks.
7. If approved, the private/home-school student will enroll in the assigned teacher's schedule and will not request or petition for a change in that school. Due to substantial curriculum integration in the various attendance centers, it is understood that various disciplines may not conduct a separate block of teaching time.
8. Parents/guardians will provide their own transportation to and from the designated attendance center if needs are not met by regular district bus service and routes.
9. Parents/guardians providing their own transportation will not bring students to school any sooner than five minutes before the course or program begins and will pick up their students within five minutes after the end of the course or program.
10. Private/home-school students may attend special programs or field trips which are in conjunction with the course or program in which such students are enrolled.
11. Co-enrolled private/home-school students may participate in the free/reduced lunch and breakfast program if eligible.
12. Regular enrollment fees will be assessed on a pro-rated basis with the amount determined by the percentage of the school day which is used.
13. Instructors will not be expected or required to provide lesson plans, instructional supplies, or other instructional materials to home-school students in classes or programs for which they are not enrolled.
14. Private/home-school students enrolled in any academic class which is affected by the Auburn-Washburn School District Assessment Program shall be required to participate in the testing program which pertains to the specific course or program in which the students are enrolled.
15. Grade placement decisions for private/home-school students entering or returning to any attendance center in USD 437 shall be determined by the building principal.
16. Private/home-school students who enroll in courses where activities are governed by the Kansas State High School Activities Association will not participate in such activities unless they meet the Kansas State High School Activities Association requirements; this may impact the grade and credit in such course. Such courses may be taken for no credit by private/home-school students.
17. All extracurricular activities subject to the jurisdiction of the Kansas State High School Activities Association will follow the rules and regulations of the KSHSAA.

Identification of Students

All students enrolling in the district for the first time shall provide required proof of identity. Students enrolling in kindergarten or first grade shall provide a certified copy of their birth certificate, a certified copy of the court order placing the child in the custody of the Secretary of the Department for Children and Families, or other documentation which the superintendent determines to be satisfactory. Students enrolling in grades 2-12 shall provide a certified transcript, similar pupil records or data, or other documentary evidence the board deems satisfactory.

The above requirements are not to serve as barriers to immediate enrollment of students designated as homeless or foster children as required by Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and the McKinney-Vento Act as amended by ESSA. The district shall work with the Department for Children and Families, the school last attended, or other relevant agencies to obtain necessary enrollment documentation.

If proper proof of identity is not provided within 30 days of enrolling, the superintendent may notify local law enforcement officials as required by law and shall not notify any person claiming custody of the child.

Enrollment Information

The enrollment documentation shall include a student's permanent record card with a student's legal name as it appears on the birth certificate, or as changed by a court order and the name, address, and telephone number of the lawful custodian. The records shall also provide proper proof of identity.

Assignment to a School Building, Grade Level or Classes

Students shall attend the attendance center designated by attendance center boundaries. Any student desiring to attend a school outside the attendance area in which the student resides may do so only with the prior written permission of the board. Such student will follow the procedures listed below:

1. An annual application is to be submitted to the Board of Education by the parent(s) or guardian(s) stating the reason for requesting attendance of a school outside the student's residence boundary. The application shall also include student(s) name(s), grade(s) and address.
   1. For students seeking to attend a different school, requests must be received by May 1 for consideration for the start of a new school year. The board of education will notify the parent(s) or guardian(s) of its final decision after the first Board meeting in June.
   2. For students who have been enrolled and attending an attendance center but move during the school year to another attendance center area requests must be received prior to the move. The Board will notify the parent(s) or guardian(s) as soon as possible.
2. In either case, the parent(s) or guardian(s) shall be responsible for transporting their children to and from school or to the nearest bus stop on a regular route for that attendance center.
3. To attend an attendance center outside their residence boundary, parent(s) or guardian(s) must apply each year.

If required by law, students placed in foster care or students who are homeless may be educated in their "school of origin" instead of the building corresponding to the assigned attendance area. (For definition of "school of origin", see regulations for JBCA.)

Assignment to a particular grade level or particular classes shall be determined by the building principal based on the age and/or educational needs of the student. If the parents disagree, the principal's decision may be appealed to the superintendent. If the parents are still dissatisfied with the assignment, they may appeal in writing to the board.

Transferring Credit

In the middle school and in the high school, full faith and credit shall be given to units earned in other accredited schools, unless the principal determines there is valid reason for not doing so. For online credit approval procedures after enrollment, see board policy IIBGB.

Transfers from Non-Accredited Schools

Students transferring from non-accredited schools will be placed by the principal. Initial placement will be made by the principal after consultation with parents or guardians and guidance personnel. Final placement shall be made by the principal based on the student's documented past educational experiences and performance on tests administered to determine grade level placement.

Students who transfer from non-accredited schools shall provide the following information:

1. Name of course.
2. Name of instructor.
3. Instructor's social security number
4. Instructor's state certification
5. Number of clock hours of course duration
6. Grade earned
7. Units of credit given by previous school

Grade Placement (K-8)

Grade level placement of transfer students in grades K-8 will be determined by the school officials based upon the student's academic records, the student's test results and the recommendation from the previous school. The district may administer a standardized achievement test if adequate records are not available. A student may be moved from the initial placement based on academic performance.