Enroll

You will be asked to provide some basic initial information so that we can add you and your children to our data system (home address, parent legal names and contact info, student legal names/birthdates/enrolling grade level). Once this is done, you will be given access to a ParentVUE account where you will complete registration online. (Paper registration materials are available to families who don’t have computer access.)

You will be asked to provide/upload the following necessary items:

• Proof of address:
  • Valid Minnesota Driver's License or state ID showing address
  • Purchase/Rental/Lease/Builders Agreement showing closing or move-in date
  • Current utility bill or mortgage payment or property tax statement in your name for the address where you are living
• Birth certificate (United States or Foreign) for the student you will be enrolling
• Contact information from the school your student previously attended (district name, phone and fax)
• Copy of student's Individual Education Plan (IEP) if applicable
• Up-to-date immunization records

If you are registering mid-school year, your student will begin school within 1-3 days of receipt of enrollment paperwork.  Information regarding transportation and related costs, before- and after-school child care options, and other important details will be provided when you register.

We look forward to serving your student(s) at Mounds View Public Schools.

Limited non-resident enrollment options 2024-2025

At its December 12 meeting, the School Board passed a resolution opening enrollment to non-residents on a limited basis in grades K-5 for the 2024-25 school year.

Background

Each year, in compliance with state statute, the District reviews student enrollment along with building capacity and decides whether it has the ability to open to nonresident enrollment or if it must continue to limit enrollment to families living outside the district boundaries. This year, the District will have limited capacity in the kindergarten centers and/or elementary schools to offer enrollment to non-resident students at specific grade levels for the 2024-25 school year.

How to Apply

The District will continue to accept applications on a continual basis. Applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis until all available spots are filled. Only the student's legal parent or guardian may apply on their behalf. An application does not guarantee admission in the school requested or in any District school. Families offered open enrollment spots must accept or decline the spot within 10 business days. Students who are offered open enrollment will be assigned to a school based on space/capacity.

Statewide Open Enrollment Application

Application Instructions

Priority Placement

Siblings of students currently attending and children of District staff members have priority placement for open enrollment or transfer, and will continue to be approved. These families must still apply by January 15 of the year before the student would begin to attend.

Transportation 

Transportation for open enrolled students is the responsibility of the parent. If the student has daycare in the requested school area, or if the family can get the student to the nearest school area bus stop, families may take advantage of District transportation.

Specific Programing (Open Enrollment only)

Open Enrollment is offered as space is available once in-district placements are made. There is no consideration of academics, athletics, etc. However, there are restrictions regarding some athletic involvement for transfer students at the high school level. You will want to contact the high school Activities Director to get details before accepting placement in a transfer District.  You will be notified of any closed programs/sites at the time you apply. 

FAQ's

Why are you accepting applications for non-resident enrollment? 

Mounds View Public Schools continues to enroll more than 80% of its resident students, yet recent kindergarten enrollment (less than 800 students) has been smaller than the size of the graduating classes (more than 900 students). This suggests that a smaller-sized enrollment bubble will continue to move through the grades each year. At the same time, Mounds View’s reputation as a Top 10 district continues to attract interest from non-resident students. 

Mounds View can meet a demand as well as address future declining enrollment by accepting non-resident students in grades and schools where their enrollment doesn’t negatively impact classroom sizes. 

What’s the impact of NOT allowing limited open enrollment in grades K-5?

The District is committed to addressing the difference between our elementary and secondary enrolment so that we are able to ensure that we can continue to maintain the current level of programs and services.

Why is non-resident enrollment limited to elementary schools?

In 2016, the District closed to non resident enrollment when the nonresident enrollment percentage was 9% across the District. Currently, the nonresident enrollment percentage at the elementary is down to 3%. The high school nonresident percentage remains at 8%. The average combined high school graduating class is in excess of 900 students - while the incoming elementary classes have been under 800 students - the minimum target number suggested for the District by former state demographer Hazel Reinhardt. Once enrolled at the elementary level, students will continue to age through the system keeping the secondary enrollment high so there would not be additional capacity to add students at the secondary level.

Will non-resident enrollment continue or expand to other grade levels in future years?

Not necessarily. The School Board and administration will review enrollment annually to determine its impact on schools. This temporary, limited opportunity might expire after the 2024-25 school year.

Can non-residents pick the school they wish to attend? 

Non-resident applicants are asked to indicate their top three school choices. An application does not guarantee that the student’s enrollment or school choice will be approved. 

Who determines if a non-resident application is granted or not? 

Enrollment decisions are made by the District’s central administration in collaboration with school principals.  Together, they will determine the number of students admitted to a school or program, using the School Board’s approved maximum class size ranges as guides. 

Will increased non-resident enrollment create larger class sizes? 

Not necessarily. If enrollment and per-pupil revenue both grow to sufficient levels, extra class sections may be added along with additional teachers to subsequently lower the class sizes. If the revenue is not sufficient to add class sections, yet enrollment is slightly higher, a temporary increase in class sizes may occur. However, class sizes would not increase beyond the predetermined maximum threshold established by the School Board. 

Class size ranges:

• Grades K-1:  21-27
• Grades 2-3:  23-29
• Grades 4-5:  25-31

Will non-resident students create a larger school tax burden on residents? 

No. Resident taxpayers do not pay levy taxes on non-resident students. 

Who can receive transportation? 

By law, the District is required to offer free transportation to resident students who live two miles or more from school. The inefficiencies of busing students outside of our district prevent us from offering this service to non-residents. Abuse of the nonresidents’ daycare provision for transportation could jeopardize enrollment status.

New in-district transfer options will also be closed for the 2024-25 school year, with the exception of siblings of students currently attending a school outside of their attendance area, families with verifiable daycare in the requested school area, students of District staff members, or students with a documented and compelling educational need. Families with siblings or daycare must apply during the regular open enrollment time period of December 1 through January 15 of the winter before the student would attend. Families who believe that their student has a compelling educational need must also apply during this same time period.

In-District Transfer - General Information

Residents of Mounds View Public Schools may apply to attend a school other than their home-assigned school as space is available.  Applications are generally accepted from December 1 to January 15 of the winter before your student would begin. In-District transfers are offered ahead of Open Enrollment (nonresident) placement, as space is available with priority given to siblings of student's currently attending the transfer school, requests where daycare is located in the transfer area, and staff requests.