OPEN ENROLLMENT APPLICATION PROCESS AND INSTRUCTIONS
CURRENTLY ENROLLED PUSD STUDENT
- If you intend for your student(s) to continue at their current open enrolled school choice – you must reaffirm your student(s) open enrollment status during the Student Information Annual Update.
- If you intend for your student(s) to attend the school where you reside (your residential boundary area school), please contact the school directly. To finalize the process you will need to notify the student’s current PUSD school to process a withdrawal.
- If your student attends high school and participates in sports, all high school students are subject to Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) transfer rules. Questions regarding eligibility of a transfer student to participate in sports should be addressed with the Athletic Director at Payson High School.
- Students in the Payson Unified School District are expected to demonstrate successful academic, attendance and behavioral standing. These three components are important for all students to be successful throughout the school year. As an open enrolled student, it is important that these standards be adhered to in order to maintain the current open enrollment status.
STUDENTS NEW TO PUSD
(NOT CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN ANY PUSD SCHOOL)
- Parents with students currently not enrolled in a PUSD school, follow the instructions under New Students to PUSD using the CREATE an Open Enrollment account link
- An auto generated email will be sent to your email address with a link that needs to be confirmed.
- Once the new account is confirmed via email link, log in with created login and password.
- Follow the instructions to complete the online application.
COMPLETING AN ONLINE APPLICATION DOES NOT GUARANTEE ENROLLMENT
Once capacity for open enrollment is determined, you will be notified via email. Factors considered in determining capacity include, but are not limited to:
- Physical capacity of the school and classrooms
- Availability of staff
- Capacity in relevant special programs
- Availability of other resources
Open enrollment approval and notification will be done on an annual basis and will be reviewed each new school year. Students in the Payson Unified School District are expected to demonstrate successful academic, attendance and behavioral standing. These three components are important for all students to be successful throughout the school year. As an open enrolled student, it is important that these standards be adhered to in order to maintain the current open enrollment status.
TRANSPORTATION
OPEN ENROLLMENT BOUNDARY MAP
OPEN ENROLLMENT FAQ'S
HOW IS THE APPROVAL OF AN OPEN ENROLLMENT APPLICATION DETERMINED?
Approval of open enrollment applications first requires a determination as to the number of Open Enrollment openings (capacity) available per school. Students who have submitted applications will be ranked by priority status according to District Governing Board Policy JFB Open Enrollment. Students on the listing will be notified of their approval to match the predetermined open capacity of the campus; other applications may be placed on a Wait List. Selection is done by priority level, then by lottery within each priority until all seats are filled.
WHAT IF MY CHILD HAS AN IEP?
Open Enrollment is available for students on an IEP. If your child last attended a PUSD school, their records are on file and can be reviewed internally. If your child last attended a school outside of the district, a copy of the IEP must be submitted to the Exceptional Student Services department. Your child’s IEP will be reviewed to ensure there is capacity in the programs available at the requested school. IEP’s can be dropped off at the District Office or faxed to 928-472-2008.
HOW AND WHEN WILL I BE NOTIFIED?
Parents will receive notification of their application status before the new school year begins. Applications may be approved, denied or placed on a waiting list. Notification will be sent via email and/or mail.
WHAT IF I MISS THE PRIORITY DEADLINE FOR THE APPLICATION?
If the initial designated Open Enrollment deadline is missed, an Open Enrollment application may still be submitted. Once available capacity is determined, applications will be considered based on priority status and parents/guardians will be notified. Once the campus meets or exceeds its capacity and/or staffing, either through Open Enrollment or population growth, the school will be closed to further Open Enrollment for the remainder of the school year. Applicants receiving “OE-Denied/Wait List” notifications will be placed on a waitlist.
MAY I APPLY DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR?
Open Enrollment applications will continue to be accepted throughout the year, and will be reviewed as capacity and/or staffing is determined. If the campus has available capacity and/or staffing, the application may be approved using the priority determinations.
WHAT IF MY CHILD IS CURRENTLY ATTENDING ON OPEN ENROLLMENT, DO I NEED TO REAPPLY?
The Open Enrollment status of each open enrolled student within a PUSD school will be reviewed annually. The District will determine whether current Open Enrolled students may continue in an Open Enrolled status based upon capacity and/or staffing of each school site. The District may deny continued open enrollment status for the following school year. If you intend for your student(s) to continue at their current open enrolled school choice – you must reaffirm your student(s) open enrollment status during the Student Information Annual Update.
WHAT IF I LIVE IN THE PINE/STRAWBERRY, TONTO BASIN OR CHEVELON SCHOOL DISTRICT WHERE THERE IS NO HIGH SCHOOL?
Payson Unified School District and the above named school districts have implemented an agreement for high school students to be able to attend Payson High School. These students DO NOT need to complete an Open Enrollment application to attend Payson High School.
WILL TRANSPORTATION BE PROVIDED FOR OPEN ENROLLMENT STUDENTS?
Transportation is not provided to students attending PUSD Schools through open enrollment, unless an Individualized Education Programs (IEP) states otherwise.
