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Open Enrollment

Open Enrollment

Wisconsin’s public school open enrollment program allows parents/guardians to apply for their children to attend school districts other than the one in which they live.

Who may participate?
Children in five-year-old kindergarten to grade 12 may apply to participate in open enrollment.

Open enrollment for pre-kindergarten, four-year-old kindergarten and early childhood education is limited. Parents/Guardians should call their resident school districts to find out if their preschool-aged children qualify for open enrollment.

Applying for Open Enrollment
The open enrollment regular application period for the 2026-27 school year is from February 2 - April 30, 2026. The application period closes at 4:00 PM on April 30, 2026. Late applications will not be accepted for any reason. 

2026-27 Open Enrollment Information Brochure

Parents/Guardians may apply directly online at the Wisconsin DPI Open Enrollment Website during the regular application period.

The application & information for open enrollment in the current school year are found here:
2025-26 Open Enrollment Alternative Application Brochure | 2025-26 Open Enrollment Alternative Application

Important Dates for Applications for the 2026-27 School Year

  • February 2 – April 30, 2026 (4:00 PM) – Parents/Guardians must submit applications online at the Wisconsin DPI Open Enrollment Website or submit an application directly to the nonresident school district.
  • June 5, 2026 – Nonresident school districts must send notices of approval or denial via US mail or email. If the application is approved, the school district must notify the parents/guardians of the specific school or program to which the child is assigned. If the application is denied, parents/guardians have 30 days to file an appeal.
  • June 12, 2026 – Resident districts must notify applicants if the application is denied. If the application is denied, parents/guardians have 30 days to file an appeal.
  • June 26, 2026 – Parents/Guardians of accepted applicants must notify the nonresident district if the child will attend the nonresident district in the 2026-27 school year. If the parent/guardian fails to make this notification, the nonresident district may refuse to allow the child to attend the district.

More details may be found here: Wisconsin DPI Open Enrollment Website