OPEN ENROLLMENT FAQs
When can I apply for Open Enrollment?
May 1st - June 1st every year. For Kindergarten students, see next question.
I just signed up for Kindergarten Screening and Mrs. Cotrell sent the Open Enrollment Application to me. Do I complete the Open Enrollment Application now or do I have to wait until May 1st?
Kindergarten is handled differently. We want to have your completed Open Enrollment Application prior to Kindergarten Screening. Please go ahead and complete ALL paperwork from Mrs. Cotrell, including the Open Enrollment Application. You may return all paperwork, including the OE application, to Mrs. Cotrell prior to the Kindergarten Screening Day.
How do I apply for Open Enrollment?
Every year on May 1st, the West Liberty-Salem Open Enrollment Application for the upcoming school year will be posted on the WL-S school website under 'FORMS'. The application will be removed from the website on June 1st at the 4:00pm deadline. If you prefer, you may also pick up an application at West Liberty-Salem or request us to mail one to you. Please submit one application per student and return it by 4:00pm on June 1 in one of the following ways:
Email to: wlsregistration@wlstigers.org
Fax to: (937) 465-1095
Mail to: West Liberty-Salem Local Schools, 7208 US Hwy 68 N, West Liberty, OH, 43357
Drop off in person at WL-S Schools
When will I find out if my child has been accepted or denied Open Enrollment?
On or by July 1st.
How will WL-S notify me if my child has been accepted or denied Open Enrollment?
If your child is approved, you will receive an approval letter via email. Please check your spam/junk folder! You will be asked to confirm in email that your student(s) will be attending WL-S through Open Enrollment or if you plan to decline the acceptance for Open Enrollment due to a change of plans.
If your child is denied Open Enrollment, you will receive both an email and a denial letter in the standard US mail detailing the reason for non-acceptance.
Where can I find your Board Policy for Open Enrollment?
Please read the Board Policy for Inter-District Open Enrollment prior to completing an Open Enrollment Application.
I am completing the application electronically. How do I sign the application electronically on the Parent/Guardian Signature line?
You may type your name in the Parent/Guardian Signature line. This will suffice as an official parent signature.
I cannot complete the Open Enrollment application electronically, and I do not have a printer. How can I apply for Open Enrollment?
You may call the school at (937) 465-1060 and ask for an Open Enrollment application to be mailed to you or request a time to stop by to pick up the application in person.
If my child is approved for Open Enrollment in the current year, are they automatically approved for next year?
No, you must apply for Open Enrollment each school year. An approval is only valid for one school year at a time.
Is there a cost to apply for Open Enrollment at West Liberty-Salem, and/or is there a cost to attend as an Open Enrollment student?
No, there is not a fee to apply for Open Enrollment or tuition to attend West Liberty-Salem. Once approved for Open Enrollment, your student(s) will incur the same school fees as a WL-S resident student.
Can I open enroll my Preschool student in the Preschool program at West Liberty-Salem?
No, Open Enrollment is currently offered to grades K-12 only. The preschool at West Liberty-Salem is operated by the Madison-Champaign ESC, and it is for preschool students that reside in West Liberty-Salem school district. The Discovery Center preschool in Bellefontaine is open to West Liberty-Salem residents that reside in Logan County.
For questions pertaining to the preschool programs please contact:
Madison-Champaign ESC: (937) 484-1557
Discovery Center: (937) 592-2009
How do you make the decision of which students are accepted for Open Enrollment at West Liberty-Salem?
Open Enrollment decisions are based on the total enrollment in each grade level. The district has set enrollment limits per grade level to ensure that classrooms in each grade level have a positive student to teacher ratio. Therefore, some grade levels may not have any availability for Open Enrollment students.
In cases of a special needs student, total program enrollment also must be considered.
Will my child be denied Open Enrollment if they are on an IEP or receiving Special Education services?
No, but we will require a copy of the student’s most recent IEP and ETR with the Open Enrollment Application to ensure that we have the ability and capacity to serve the student.
Will my child be denied Open Enrollment if he/she has had disciplinary issues at a previous school, such as suspension or expulsion?
If your student has been suspended or expelled at a previous school (including West Liberty-Salem), the application may be denied if it meets the conditions required by law.
Can my child participate in athletic practice in the summer prior to the school year starting?
After July 1st, your child can participate in summer practice once the following three (3) requirements have been met:
The Open Enrollment application has been approved.
The student has officially registered at West Liberty-Salem by submitting a completed WL-S Registration Form and all required documents (Birth Certificate, proof of residency, etc.) to the District Registrar, Mrs. Jen Wilcoxon.
You have completed all required athletic forms electronically on FinalForms. (Contact the coach for instructions.)
NO EXCEPTIONS!
My child’s father and I have a shared parenting plan. I reside outside of WL-S school district, but my child’s father resides in the WL-S school district. Do we have to apply for Open Enrollment?
We will need to review your entire custody document to determine which parent is named the residential parent. If the court names you as the residential parent (and you reside outside of WL-S school district), then yes, you will need to apply for Open Enrollment. In most cases of shared parenting, one of the parents is usually designated the residential parent for school purposes.
We are current residents of West Liberty-Salem, but we might move out of the district this summer. Should I complete an Open Enrollment application?
Yes, please complete an Open Enrollment application. If you know the address and/or school district that you may be moving to, please include it on the application. If you do not know the address and/or school district that you may be moving to, please leave it blank. Include a note with your application (in email or letter) explaining your situation.
Whether you move or stay within the district, you will need to follow up with the EMIS Coordinator, wlsregistration@wlstigers.org / (937) 465-1138).
I have been homeschooling my child and he/she has never attended a public or private school. Will you deny my child Open Enrollment since they have never been in a traditional public school?
No, we will not deny your child based on a previous homeschool education. Open Enrollment decisions are based on total enrollment in each grade level. The district has set enrollment limits per grade level to ensure that classrooms in each grade level have a positive student to teacher ratio. Therefore, some grade levels may not have any availability for Open Enrollment students. In cases where a special needs student is involved, program enrollment is also considered.
My two oldest children attend West Liberty-Salem through Open Enrollment. My youngest is ready for Kindergarten, but I’m concerned that they will be denied because I’ve heard it’s a big class. What are the odds that my youngest will be approved?
We make every effort to keep families together, but it is not 100% guaranteed. Please be sure to select the circle (radio button) at the top of the application indicating that the applicant is a sibling of a current OE student. We give priority to new applicants that have siblings currently open enrolled to our district.
Who is my point of contact for Open Enrollment questions?
EMIS Coordinator, Erin Stafford
(937) 465-1138 or (937) 465-1075, Ext. 112
wlsregistration@wlstigers.org