Out of District Student Admission

Important things to know:

The Kalispell Public Schools (KPS) Board of Trustees must approve your application packet before your child can start school. A completed application packet includes: (1) this Student Application form, (2 ) a signed FP-14, and (3) records received from the previous school(s).

There is a 10 day timeline for KPS to notify you of the date the Board will be making a decision regarding your enrollment request. This timeframe is dependent on when we receive a completed application packet.

• If obtaining records from the previous school(s) takes longer than expected, we may have to change the Board review date.  We will make every effort to maintain the timeline.
• Within 10 days of the Board’s determination, the parent/guardian will receive a secure email detailing the decision and next steps.

Families will have to apply every year and there is no guarantee of placement from year to year.
 

Consideration of applications will be made in the order of receipt, with the exception of: Children of district employees are given priority as well as children with siblings who are currently attending as non-residential students.

You are responsible for Transportation. KPS will not be providing transportation for out of district students.

McKinney Vento (MKV) Families: If you resided at your current out of district address since the last day of the previous school year, you are eligible under MKV in your residing district.  You are not considered eligible under MKV at KPS and will need to contact your residing district for services. 

•  You can apply for placement in KPS, however, the federal rights under MKV including special services of busing from your out of district address and automatic enrollment in free breakfast and lunch will not be provided.  
• You will be responsible for transportation for your child to and from school and for filling out a Free/Reduced Meals Form.

These are Four Reasons Your Application can be Denied

1. If there we are at full capacity for grade or program.
2. Truancy, as defined in Section 20-5-106, MCA, is identified as a child who has been absent on 9 or more days or 54 or more parts of a day in ONE school year without an excuse.
3.  Expelled by another school district at any time.
4. Suspended in another school district in any of the 3 school fiscal years preceding the school fiscal year for which attendance is requested.  This does not apply to a student who is eligible for SPED or related services.

Consideration of Applications (Deadlines)

• Out-of-district students who are currently enrolled and want to continue into the following school year, must submit their application by April 30 to be considered for priority. 

• If students are aiming to commence classes on the first scheduled day of the academic year, applications for enrollment of out-of-district students must be submitted to the District for consideration by August 1 preceding the intended start of the school year. Applications received after August 1 will be considered for board approval at an upcoming board meeting. Once approved, students may commence enrollment.

• All students will go through the process before the board can approve an application.  Approval will be based on the criteria listed in this document as well as Board Policy 3141.

Notification Process

Once the application packet is submitted (a signed FP-14, Records Request, and completed Student Application) have been submitted to the school,  the parent will receive the date of the board meeting where the application will be reviewed.

• The 10 day timeline for notice of the date the board will be determining your application is dependent on when the application packet is turned in.
• If obtaining records from the previous school takes longer than expected, we may have to change the board review date.  We will make every effort to maintain the timeline.

Within 10 days of the board’s determination, the parent will receive a secure email detailing the decision and next steps.

 

Apply for Out of District Enrollment