Open Enrollment

*Open enrollment for the 25-26 school year is now available*
Complete online Open Enrollment Request

*La inscripción abierta para el curso escolar 25-26 ya está abierta*
Solicitud de inscripción abierta

Durango School District endorses the neighborhood school concept and makes many critical decisions based on student population within the attendance areas of residence. The district also recognizes that resident students may wish to attend a school within the district outside of their assigned school. District policy allows students to attend any school of their choice on a space-available, first-come, first-served basis through the open enrollment process.

If you have an interest in your child attending a school other than their neighborhood school, you need to initiate a request for open enrollment by completing the online open enrollment application located at the top of this page. Please note that approval of both the sending and receiving principals is required if the student lives within the district boundaries.

Registration in the school of choice will not be permitted until the student has received approval for open enrollment or transfer. Approval will be granted based on availability of space and resources. Students within the designated attendance area shall have priority in registering in that school.

Important dates

April 1: The submission window opens for open enrollment applications for the upcoming school year.
May 1: Priority deadline. Applications for open enrollment received by May 1 of the prior school year will be reviewed and approved, rejected, or placed on a waiting list in the order in which the applications are received and will be considered for approval by June 2. Applications received after May 1st and prior to the start of school will be held and reviewed the day after fall registration and before the first day of school.
June 2: Parents/guardians and students will be notified of approval or disapproval of an open enrollment no later than June 2. Applications pertaining to incoming kindergarteners will be approved or disapproved by August 14.
June 30: Parents/guardians may appeal a denial by submitting a written statement which includes the reasons for the appeal to the Director of Student Support Services no later than June 30. Failure to submit a written appeal by that date will constitute a waiver of the right of appeal and an acceptance of the decision to deny.
August 14: Open enrollment applications pertaining to incoming kindergarteners will be approved or disapproved by August 14.
After August 22: Parents and/or students who desire a change of school after the first day of classes must submit a letter along with the form and will be considered a transfer. Permission to transfer when granted will be for the remainder of the year. Renewal of transfers is not automatic.
October 1: Transfer requests received on or after this date must be approved by the Superintendent before the student starts school at the new location. Out-of-District applications are not accepted after October 1.

Important links

Attendance Boundaries: View Attendance Boundaries to view a listing of feeder schools and to determine which school zone your residence falls within via Google Maps.
Registration Information: View Registration Information for district-wide registration information and documents.
Intra District Choice Enrollment Policy: View Intra District Enrollment Policy (Board Policy JFBA)
Inter District Choice Enrollment Policy: View Inter District Enrollment Policy (Board Policy JFBB)

Frequently asked questions

How do I open enroll my student?

What factors could cause my open enrollment request to be denied?

The school is at class-size capacity, grade-level capacity, or total enrollment capacity.
The student has a particular need for a program that is not available at the open enrollment school.
The student has been expelled from another school.
The students does not meet eligibility criteria such as age requirements and required levels of performance.
Academic Standing.
Disciplinary Record.
Attendance.
Any other factors deemed appropriate by principal of receiving school

What is the priority for accepting students for open enrollment?

Students have priority for open enrollment based on the following order:

A student whose parent/guardian is employed within the district.
A new student applicant who is a sibling of a currently open enrolled or center-based student and lives at the same residence as the currently enrolled student.
A new student applicant who resides within the district and is not a sibling of a currently enrolled student.
A new student applicant who resides outside the district and is a sibling of a currently enrolled student.
A new student applicant who resides outside of the district.

Is transportation provided for students who are open enrolled?

Except as may be required by law, transportation for resident students granted permission to attend school outside their attendance area is the responsibility of their parents or guardians. The District may at its discretion allow students to ride in district buses on a space available basis provide such transportation does not disrupt regular routes or require new loading areas.

To determine transportation options and space availability, please contact the Transportation Department at 970-247-5335.

Transportation may be revoked or denied if the student has three category 2 and/or two category 3 behavior offenses. For an explanation, please see the Student Conduct Code.

How do I determine which school is my neighborhood school?

Once my student is accepted as an open-enrolled student, do I need to re-apply for open enrollment every year?

Once your child is accepted as an open-enrolled student, you do not need to reapply until they complete the highest grade available in that school unless they are contacted by the school do so.

For out-of-district students, you must reapply for open enrollment each year.

Students whose place of residence changes within the school district during the school year must complete transfer forms for record-keeping purposes. Students will be required to attend the school of their new attendance area the following year unless application is made for open enrollment or transfer.

Contact information

To receive more information about open enrollment, please contact the principal of the school your student would like to attend. For further assistance, you may contact:

Erin Henthorn
Student Support Services
Phone: 970-247-5411, ext. 1461
Email: [email protected]