Enrollment

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

If you would like to enroll your child in Thompson Falls Public Schools as an out of district student and you are living outside of the district's boundaries you are required by Board Policy 3141 to apply for admission on an annual basis.  To apply please complete the out of district student application and submit it to the district office.  The superintendent will make recommendation to the Board for approval of out of district students.  If your child is not going to be recommended for enrollment for the upcoming school year, you will be notified by the district's office prior to the board receiving the recommendations.  The Superintendent's decision is final and there is no appeal process.  You must submit all required information listed on the application form to be considered.  For High School students the board has a 25% cap on out of district enrollments.

Bud Scully
Superintendent

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