Enrollment & Scheduling

Discretionary Nonresident Student Attendance Policy

The Board has determined that the District will permit discretionary nonresident students to attend school in the District, subject to annual approval. The District will screen all nonresident students and consider only those who meet the criteria set forth in this policy. The Superintendent will recommend to the Board any nonresident student admission in accordance with this policy, with the Board making the final decision on admission. Foreign exchange students shall be admitted pursuant to the terms of this policy and according to current federal law regulating foreign exchange programs.

The District will consider the following criteria for discretionary admission of nonresident students: academic record, disciplinary record, and the current student level in the class in which the student would be admitted. The Superintendent will evaluate the student based on the above -listed criteria and determine whether or not to recommend continued enrollment of the student. Children in the immediate family of non-resident employees may be admitted under the terms of this policy and will have priority over other nonresident students.

Admission in one school year does not imply or guarantee admission in subsequent years. All resident students who become nonresident students due to a move by the students’ parents from the District may continue attendance for the remainder of the school year, barring registration in another school district. At the completion of the current school year, the student must apply for admission as a nonresident student if the student wishes to remain in the District. A parent or guardian of a nonresident student currently attending school shall submit an application for enrollment in the succeeding school year no later than May 15th. A parent or guardian of a nonresident student seeking to enroll for the first time shall submit an application by September 10th for enrollment in first semester and by February 1st for enrollment for second semester.

The Board reserves the right to charge tuition for nonresident students. The Board may, at its discretion, charge or waive tuition for all students whose tuition is required to be paid by one type of entity. Unless otherwise provided by law, nonresident students are not eligible transportees for school transportation services.

Legal Reference: § 20-5-314, MCA Reciprocal attendance agreement with adjoining state or province

§ 20-5-320, MCA Attendance with discretionary approval

§ 20-5-321, MCA Attendance with mandatory approval – tuition and transportation

§ 20-5-322, MCA Residency determination – notification – appeal for attendance agreement

§ 20-5-323, MCA Tuition and transportation rates

10.10.301B, ARM Out-of-District Attendance Agreements

Policy History: Adopted on: 2-1-2021

Reviewed on: 1-11-2021 Revised on: 8-14-2023

Applying to enroll?

Your application must include the following:

1. Out of District Attendance Application
2. Cover letter stating the reason/reasons you want your student to attend Thompson Falls Schools
3. Proof of passing grades in the previous school attended
4. A record free of truancy
5. A clean behavior record from the last school attended