Open Enrollment
Orono Schools also welcomes students through the Statewide Enrollment Options program, also known as “open enrollment” (OE). This program gives students the opportunity to apply for enrollment in a school outside their resident district boundaries.
Please note: In Minnesota, children must be at least five years old by September 1 of the year they enroll to be eligible for Kindergarten.
2024-25 school year
If you have questions about your open enrollment application for the 2024-25 school year, please email enrollment@orono.k12.mn.us.
2025-26 school year
Here are the application dates and deadlines for the 2025-26 school year:
- Orono Schools is now accepting 2025-26 Open Enrollment applications.
- The state has set an open enrollment application deadline of January 15 each year. After the deadline, open enrollment applications will be placed on a waiting list. Students will be invited to enroll in Orono Schools on a space-available basis. Thank you!
Contact
Enrollment office
952-449-8312
enrollment@orono.k12.mn.us
Open Enrollment (OE) Timeline
November
The district will hold a Prospective Student Open House in November.
January
January 15, 2025 is the final date to download and submit the state OE application to the District Office (a separate application is needed for each child). Applications received after this date will be placed on a waiting list.
Late January - early February
The district notifies OE families of approval/wait list. If approved, confirmation is required from the family before the registration packet is provided. Per state guidelines, families have until March 1 to accept or decline the OE offer.
March 1
Per state guidelines, families have until March 1 to accept or decline the OE offer.
March
If enrolling, return the registration packet forms and supporting materials as soon as possible.
Late August
Enrolled students will receive their teacher assignment via ParentVUE, bus information, Kindergarten Orientation information, and school supply list. Each school holds a back-to-school event to drop off supplies, meet teachers, find their locker, etc. That information will be communicated through the school buildings and on the district website.
September
Grades 1-12 typically start school on the Tuesday after Labor Day with Kindergarten students beginning the Wednesday after Labor Day. However, start dates are subject to change. The school year summary calendar provides exact dates.
Completing your child's enrollment
The district will request additional documentation based on your family's needs.
Birth certificate or passport
The district will make a copy of your child's birth certificate or passport.
Immunization record
State law requires that all parents or guardians of students in Kindergarten through grade 12 provide written proof of their child’s immunization against the following diseases: DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis a.k.a. whooping cough); Polio, Varicella (chicken pox); MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella); HBV (Hepatitis B)
Children will not be allowed to attend school until a record of the month, day and year of each of the required immunizations have been provided. Families that object to immunizations must provide a notarized declination form. Please visit www.health.state.mn.us/immunize for all required immunization information. Questions regarding immunizations can also be directed to the district nurse at 952-449-8317.
Early Childhood Screening
All children in the state of Minnesota are required to complete an Early Childhood Screening prior to kindergarten enrollment. Early Childhood Screening is a free check of your child’s development including hearing, vision, communication skills, motor skills and social-emotional development. Documentation of an Early Childhood Screening, completed by our district or a different district, is required.
To schedule an Early Childhood Screening appointment, you can:
Email ecscreening@orono.k12.mn.us or
Call 952-746-5815 and leave a message with your name, email address, and your child’s name
Transcript from previous schools
Please provide a copy of transcript or grades from previous schools and test results, if available. If not available, please provide the name and address of the last school attended so we can request records.
Additional Documentation
Parents/guardians should also provide additional documentation, if applicable:
- Custody order: If your legal guardianship is determined by a court order, please submit a copy.
- Gifted evaluation: If you are requesting placement or an evaluation for an advanced course, please submit documentation (report cards and state test scores) for the program coordinator.
- Individual Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan: If your student has an IEP or 504 Plan, providing a copy of the plan and Educational/Psychological Assessment Report will help us determine your student’s proper placement in a timely manner.
- Legal name change: All student records need to show the student’s full legal name. If the student’s name has been legally changed, please provide a copy of the court document.
- Order for Protection: If there is a current circumstance that we need to be aware of, please provide a copy of the legal document.
Transportation
For more information about transportation by school bus, please contact transportation@orono.k12.mn.us. Orono Schumann Elementary and Orono Intermediate School use the CarRiderPro system to efficiently move cars through the pick-up line at dismissal. Please contact Orono Schumann Elementary or Intermediate School for details if you are new to the district.
Open Enrollment FAQs
- What is Open Enrollment?
- Where do I send my application?
- How can families apply for a transfer?
- Are there exceptions to the application deadline?
- Can school districts deny transfer through open enrollment?
- How is the education of open enrolled students funded?
- How is the education of students with special needs funded?
- What are the rules concerning transportation of open enrolled students?
- How are Open Enrollment decisions made in Orono Schools?
- Is there a central source for information about open enrollment?