Public School Open Enrollment

 

Wisconsin's public school choice program allows students in grades kindergarten through 12 to attend any public school district in the state if space is available, subject to certain other restrictions. The parent is responsible for transportation. Sign-up procedures and deadlines are set by the state. The initial parental request must be filed in early February for the following year.  

Individuals interested in part-time open enrollment at the high school should contact the Lincoln Principal at least six weeks prior to the beginning of the semester and fill out the part-time open enrollment application.

Part-time Open Enrollment Student and Parent Informational Brochure

There are two ways to apply for open enrollment:

 

Regular Application Period-
February 3, 2025, and ends at 4:00 pm on April 30, 2025

The regular application period occurs during a 3-month application period each year from February to April for the following school year. It is a parent’s first and best opportunity to apply for open enrollment for a particular school year. 

The preferred method to apply for open enrollment is using the Department of Public Instruction’s online application form. This form is “active” only during the application period and is accessed from a link on the main page of the open enrollment web site.  Although paper forms are available, they are discouraged unless the parent is unable to submit an online application.  Click here to apply after February 3rd, 2025. 

Alternative application-

The alternative application  is used to apply for the current school year, and becomes available on July 1st. Click here to download a PDF version of the alternative application.  Applications can be emailed to the email address listed below or dropped off/mailed to: 
 
Manitowoc Public School District
Attn: Open Enrollment
2902 Lindbergh Dr.
Manitowoc, WI 54220

For more information, visit Department of Public Instruction.

If you have any questions regarding open enrollment, please call (920)686-4796 or email openenrollment@mpsd.school. 

What is the different between School Choice and Open Enrollment?

The MPSD has six elementary schools serving grades 5K through fifth. There are attendance boundaries established based on household address that designates which school a child should attend based on where they live.   These boundaries help to even out enrollment at the various schools, to avoid overcrowding and to help with planning for staff and materials. 

The Manitowoc Public School District has two middle schools. With some exceptions, students who attend north side elementary schools (Jackson, Madison, Riverview) move on to Wilson. Students who attend south side elementary schools (Franklin, Jefferson, Monroe) move on to Washington.

 

What if I don’t want my child to attend the boundary designated school?

Parents have the option of asking for their child to attend a different school than the one they live near/are assigned, this is referred to as “school choice.”  For example, your child lives in the Jackson Elementary boundaries, but would like to attend Monroe Elementary.

You can make this request by contacting the principal of the school you’d prefer your child to attend.  Adequate classroom space, school test scores and other factors are taken into consideration when deciding whether or not to approve the request.  Please be aware that this request is on a year to year basis.  This means, if a student is approved to attend an out of boundary school one year, it does not ensure they can attend that out of boundary school the following year.  

 

What is Open Enrollment?

Wisconsin’s public school open enrollment program allows students in 4-year-old kindergarten through grade 12 to attend any public school in the state if space is available and subject to certain other restrictions.  For example, you live in Valders, but would like your child to attend one of the Manitowoc Public Schools.  There is no tuition cost to the parent, but the parent is responsible for transportation. 

Learn more about Open Enrollment form the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction