Enrollment

If you do not live in the School District of Onalaska and you have applied (or plan on applying) for open enrollment through the WI Department of Instruction for the current or next school year - you must wait to receive your Open Enrollment Approval Letter before completing enrollment. 
This process is for new students only. If your child is already enrolled and currently attending the School District of Onalaska, do not complete this process. If your child currently attends PreK through the School District of Onalaska either through one of the elementary schools OR through a Partner Site, you do NOT need to complete this process. Your child will automatically be enrolled for Kindergarten.
For PreK Students: Please select a preference of session. Final notification of assignments will be made shortly after enrollment is completed and will be based on home address and transportation needs. 
If you do not have access to a computer, tablet, or smart phone to complete online enrollment there are computers available in the Student Services Department located at 237 2nd Ave South for your use. 

If you are a resident of Onalaska, you can begin the enrollment process in March for the upcoming school year period. You will need the following items ready for when you enroll:

• Verification of Residency, examples include: Driver’s license or state issued photo ID, Utility bill (gas, electric, cable, internet), Lease or Rental agreement, or Property tax bill

• Immunization Records of child being enrolled

• Birth Certificate of child being enrolled

For elementary age students placement into one of our elementary schools is determined by your address. You may access the District Boundary Map to find out your boundary school.

Open Enrollment

If you are not a resident of Onalaska, you can apply for Open Enrollment through the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction between February and April for the upcoming school year. The Wisconsin Open Enrollment Program allows you to apply for your child to attend public school in a district other than the one you reside in. You must apply for open enrollment first on the WI DPI webpage. Then, once you receive your Open Enrollment Approval Letter, you can apply for enrollment in the School District of Onalaska by clicking the New Student Enrollment button above. 

Important Open Enrollment Dates

• February 3- April 30, 2025-  Parents must submit applications online or directly to the nonresident school district. 

• June 6, 2025- Nonresident school districts must send notices of approval or denial via US mail or email. If the application is approved, the school district must notify parents of the specific school or program to which the pupil is assigned. If the application is denied, parents have 30 days to file an appeal.

• June 13, 2025- Resident districts must notify applicants if the application is denied. If the application is denied, parents have 30 days to file an appeal.

• June 27, 2025- Parents of accepted applicants must notify the nonresident district if the pupil will attend the nonresident district in the 2025-26 school year. If the parent fails to make this notification, the nonresident district may refuse to allow the pupil to attend the district. 

Alternative Open Enrollment

If you are applying outside the open enrollment window (February- April for upcoming school year), then you may be eligible for alternative open enrollment. You must apply for alternative open enrollment first.  This application, along with a signed release of information can be submitted to student services for processing. Please visit the WI Department of Instruction website to find this application.

 WI DPI Alternative Open Enrollment

This application is reviewed by the Director of Student Services and Special Education and the principal of the school you are applying for. A letter of approval or denial will be sent via email. If approved, you will then fill out a New Student Enrollment application to enroll into the district.

Boundary exempt applies to families who reside within the School District of Onalaska boundaries, but wish to apply for their children to attend an elementary school outside of their neighborhood boundary.

Please complete a Boundary Exemption Request Form HERE

All applications are considered. The completion of this request is not a guaranteed placement. After completing the form, we will reach out via the email you provide either approving or denying the request. Please keep in mind that if you are applying for the next school year, a decision may not be made until late spring/early summer.