Enrollment
- Each community school will have its own enrollment process.
- Community schools are non-selective. This means they must admit students on a first-come, first-served basis unless they use a lottery. After the school is full, it must keep a waitlist.
- Community schools may choose to not accept students expelled from district schools.
- Community schools often use tours and interviews as part of the enrollment process.
Requirements
- Community schools have no academic or behavioral requirements.
- Community schools must follow a student’s education plan if the student has one (IEP/ETR/504).
How to choose this type of school
- Contact the enrollment coordinator at the school you want to learn more about.
- Organizations oversee community schools. They make sure the schools follow rules and supply quality educational services. These sponsors can provide information and support for families.
- Contact community school sponsors in your area to learn about available schools. Sponsors can also advocate for families and students. They can help you understand school policies and processes. The button below goes to a directory of community schools, sponsors, and operators.
Deadline
- Community Schools begin enrolling in the spring before the next fall’s school year.
- Schools enroll until their spaces are filled, and then they must have a waitlist.
Transportation
- Students enrolled in nonpublic or community schools may be entitled to transportation services from the public school district they live in.
- Upon enrollment in a community school, the parent or guardian should contact the transportation department of the public school district where they live. A written request is strongly suggested. Without this first contact, the public school district will not know about the student’s transportation needs.
- The school district you live in must supply transportation for students in grades K-8 who live farther than 2 miles from the school they want to attend. Bus stops can be located up to 1/2 mile from the student’s home.
- The school district you live in is not required to transport a student more than 30 minutes of driving time.
- If the school district you live in decides they cannot supply transportation, they may offer to pay parents or guardians instead.
- Schools only must transport students in grades 9-12 if they provide that service for their own students.
- Visit the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s page on Community Schools for more information.
This will take you to a list of all school options.
This will take you to more information about Ohio schools.
