Skip to content

  • Effective: 11/26/1991
  • Revision: 11/13/18

  1. Board Directive
    The Board subscribes to the philosophy of educational choice and enrollment options for Jordan District students within the limits of classroom space and staff availability.  The Board recognizes that providing options for children and families optimizes student learning.  Therefore, the Board delegates to the Administration responsibility for developing policy for management of a school choice program.
  2. Administrative Policy
    The Administration shall administer the open enrollment program according to the following administrative policy provisions and in accordance with Utah Code § 53G-6-402 and-403 (2018):

    1. Open Enrollment/Permit Process
      1. Students who wish to attend a school other than their resident school may file a request for an open enrollment transfer (permit) at the school they desire to attend. Applications are submitted online through the District website.
      2. Permit requests will be approved subject to the conditions as outlined in the document “School Permit Procedures”. This document shall be reviewed annually by the Board of Education.
    2. Accepting Permit Students
      The school administrator of the requested school shall accept the transferring student subject to the conditions set forth in document “School Permit Procedures” and subject to the following:

      1. Space, staff, and programs are available to accommodate the student.
      2. The District shall not be required to provide any program that it has not previously provided to its own students. If the District does not offer a program that the student requires, that fact shall be considered in reviewing the student's application.
      3. The student has not committed serious infractions of the law or school rules, including rules of the requested school/District.
      4. The student has not been guilty of chronic misbehavior that would, if it were to continue after the student was admitted, endanger persons or property, cause serious disruptions in the school, or place unreasonable burdens on school staff.
      5. The school administrator may allow provisional enrollment of a nonresident student with prior behavior problems when conditions have been set under which the student would be permitted to enroll or continue.
      6. Standards may not include previous academic performance (i.e. test scores, grades), athletic or other extra-curricular ability
    3. Permits for Students with Disabilities

      The student may be considered for enrollment if all of the following criteria are met:

      1. The student can be served on the current staffing pattern in the Special Education Department without the addition of staff or services.
      2. The addition does not exceed the school’s existing caseload capacity.
      3. Space is available at the school and in the student’s grade level.
    4. Duration of Permit
      1. Students who are granted transfer requests shall be permitted to remain enrolled in a school subject to compliance with the same rules and standards as resident students, without renewed applications in subsequent years unless one of the following occurs:
        1. The student graduates
        2. The student is no longer a Utah resident
        3. The student is suspended or expelled from school
        4. The District determines that enrollment within the school will exceed the school’s open enrollment threshold.
      2. Students who are granted transfer requests are obligated to remain at the requested school for at least one school year.
    5. Transportation
      The parent(s)/guardian(s) of the student shall arrange for the student’s transportation to and from school.
    6. Appeals

      The parents(s)/legal guardian(s) shall be notified of the right to appeal the decision of the school administrator to the Board of Education.

  • Effective: 5/17/1983
  • Revision: 2/22/2022

  1. Board Directive
    The Board recognizes that non-resident students and charter school students residing in Jordan School District may at times request to be enrolled in the schools of the Jordan District.  The District Administration is therefore authorized to enroll non-resident students, foreign students and charter school students according to the provisions of the following administrative policy, and in accordance with Utah Code §53G-6-302 through 53G-6-404, 53G-6-503, 53G-6-702 through 53G-6-707 and Utah Administrative Code R277-438, R277-494 and R277-612.
  2. Administrative Policy
    The following administrative policy provisions shall be followed in providing for Jordan District enrollment of non-resident students and charter school students who reside in Jordan District.  Students who have previously graduated from high school or equivalent, have exceeded age appropriate placement, or whose class has graduated will not be eligible for enrollment.

    1. In-State District Reciprocity
      1. A student's legal residence is the domicile of the student's custodial legal guardian.
      2. Students from another district may attend District schools following the procedures and expectations outlined in Policy AS93 – Open Enrollment/School Choice.
      3. Students must be prepared to abide by the rules and policies of the school and the District.
      4. The student shall be placed as appropriate based on the documented enrollment history provided by the previous school or district.
      5. Charges, if any, for enrolling students from another district are to be arranged with the school districts involved.
    2. Foreign Immigrant Students
      1. Students whose most recent school enrollment was in a foreign country shall be enrolled in their age-appropriate grade in the Jordan School District.
      2. After enrollment, parents or guardians may request retention or acceleration following the process in Policy AS 64 – Student Retention and Acceleration.
      3. Students who have graduated from or otherwise completed a high school program or its equivalent in a foreign country are not eligible for enrollment in the District.
    3. Foreign Non-Immigrant Students
      1. The Board and District administration shall not authorize enrollment for any foreign non-immigrant students if any part of the enrollment would violate the laws, regulations, or guidelines of the United States or the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
      2. Foreign non-immigrant students are eligible for graduation from District high schools provided they meet current Utah graduation requirements.
        1. Students must provide official transcripts to receive credit for courses taken in their home country. As credits may not exactly transfer, make-up credits may be required. Students are responsible for the time and expense of make-up credits.
        2. Foreign non-immigrant students who choose not to graduate but complete their 12th grade year in a District school may be recognized by school administration during graduation ceremonies.
      3. Foreign non-immigrant students entering the United States on an F-1 or J-1 visa may be enrolled in the District following the guidelines below:
        1. For students entering the United States on an F-1 visa:
          1) Enrollment will only be allowed in years when the District is authorized by the DHS to issue Form I-20 documents.
          2) Application for original or transferred enrollment must be made prior to July 1 of each year.
          a) Applications must meet all requirements of and provide all
          documentation required by both the DHS and the District.
          b) Applications must include full payment of the per capita cost of tuition |
          and a non-refundable processing fee (as described on the Planning &
          Enrollment website) plus any required school fees. Per DHS
          requirements, payment of tuition and fees may not be waived or paid in
          installments.
          3) The requested enrollment must be for in-person instruction in grades 10-12 for no more or less than one academic year.
        2. For students entering the United States on a J-1 visa:
          1) Enrollment will be allowed each year that allocations of J-1 student funds are made by the Utah State Board of Education (USBE). The number of allocations given to the District by USBE represent the cap on J-1 foreign non-immigrant student enrollment.
          2) Application for original or transferred enrollment must be made prior to July 1 of each year under the following guidelines:
          a) Applications must meet all requirements of and provide all documentation required by both the United States Department of State and the District.
          b) The requested enrollment must be for in-person instruction in grades 10-12 for no more or less than one academic year in one of the following circumstances:

          1. The student is sponsored by an agency approved by the Board of Education, or
          2. The student is sponsored by an agency approved by the Board of Education and enrolls under a one-for-one exchange with a current resident student in a District high school.
            c) Allocations from USBE for J-1 foreign non-immigrant students provide reimbursement to the District for the tuition costs associated with enrollment. When USBE allocations or monies are reduced or not available, the District may, at its discretion:

            1. Withdraw any previously approved enrollment authorizations, Require payment of tuition by J-1 foreign non-immigrant students, or
            2. Grant tuition waivers upon application from the J-1 foreign non-immigrant student or host family.
              1. Tuition waivers are only available to students who otherwise qualify for enrollment in the District.
              2. The number of available waivers will be reviewed regularly by District administration.
              3. Exceptions or denied waiver applications may be appealed to the Board of Education by the host family.
                d) The District may enroll a J-1 foreign non-immigrant student who does not qualify for state monies and pay the tuition costs of the student with other District funds or charge the student the current per capita cost of tuition.
        3. All foreign exchange students work through Planning & Enrollment in Student Services and should not be enrolled at the local school without authorization.
        4. Registration and participation/class fees outlined in AA408 – Fees still apply.
      4. All foreign exchange and foreign students must be approved for enrollment by the Board in an open meeting of the Board.
    4. Non-Utah Residents
      1. Non-Utah residents will be charged a per capita cost unless
        1. Such tuition is waived by the Board in an open meeting of the Board, or
        2. The student qualifies for resident enrollment under item 3 below
      2. The following criteria shall be used to determine fees for non-Utah residents:
        1. The base figure will be the same cost determined to educate a student in Jordan District that was computed two school years previous.
        2. The increase in the Weighted Pupil Unit (WPU) during the past two (2) years will be added to the cost derived in D.2.a.
        3. If the student is to receive or chooses to participate in programs of the District that are heavily subsidized by state or local funding (i.e., Special Education, CTE, Dual Immersion, International Baccalaureate, etc.), the amount charged will be increased by the average cost per student of that program.
      3. The following criteria will be applied to determine if the student will not be charged a tuition fee (§53G-6-302):
        1. The student’s presence in the District is not for the primary purpose of attending school.
        2. The student’s physical, mental, moral, or emotional health would best be served by considering the student to be a resident for school purposes.
        3. The student is prepared to abide by the rules and policies of the school and the District in which attendance is sought.
        4. The student resides with a responsible adult who is a resident of the District, and:
          1) Has been appointed guardian by a court of jurisdiction; or
          2) Is the student’s noncustodial parent, grandparent, brother, sister, uncle, or aunt; and
          3) Is designated as the student’s custodian in a durable power of attorney issued by the party who has legal custody of the student that grants the custodian full authority for educational or medical services in the interest of the student.
          4) Is married or an emancipated minor.
        5. Enrollment granted under D.3.d.(2) shall require a durable power of attorney.
      4. Non-resident and foreign students require authorization from Planning & Enrollment in Student Services prior to enrolling at the local school.
    5. Resident Charter School Students
      1. A student’s legal residence is the domicile of the student’s custodial parent or legal guardian.
      2. Resident students attending a charter school may attend Jordan School District schools as follows (§53G-6-503):
        1. Resident students attending a charter school may attend their school of residence the following school year if written notification of intent to enroll in the school of residence is submitted to the school no later than June 30 of the current year.
        2. After June 30 or during the school year, resident students enrolled in a charter school may attend their school of residence if there is space available, or a school other than their school of residence by following the procedures outlined in this policy and in Policy AS93—Open Enrollment School Choice.
        3. Charter school students may participate in extra-curricular or co-curricular activities at their school of residence by following the procedures outlined in this policy and the Student Services Manual.

  • Effective: 9/9/1969
  • Revision: 2/25/2014

  1. Board Directive
    The Board delegates to the Administration responsibility for devising and implementing an adequate system for registration, enrollment, and student accounting.
  2. Administrative Policy
    The Department of Planning and Student Services shall organize and maintain a system of student accounting including a monthly verification of membership.

    1. Students shall be registered at their boundary school.  Each student's address shall be checked at the school to verify that the student's primary residence is within the school's boundary.  For purposes of determining the place of residence of a student, "residence" means the primary and permanent residence of the student’s parent(s)/legal guardian(s) even though the student or family temporarily resides elsewhere.  Temporary, vacation, and secondary rented homes, apartments or other dwellings shall not be considered for purposes of student residency.
    2. A special placement/registration permit is required by the Department of Planning and Student Services for students in the following categories:
      1. Students seeking reentry after having been excluded from school.  (Placement by the Appeals Committee is required.)
      2. Students who are non-immigrant, foreign exchange students.
      3. Non-resident students not living with at least one natural parent or with a legal guardian.
    3. Students wishing to transfer from their Jordan District boundary school should do so in accordance with District policy AS93—Open Enrollment/School Choice.  Students transferring from one school to another must meet the requirements of the Utah High School Activities Association with regard to eligibility for participation in athletics and activities at the receiving school.
    4. Within 14 days after enrolling a transfer student, and simultaneous with enrolling a military student, a school shall request a certified copy of his/her record directly from the student’s previous school.
    5. Any school requested to forward a copy of a transferring student’s record to the new school shall comply within 30 days of the request, and within 10 days of a request for a military child’s records; however, if the record has been flagged as a “Missing Child,” the record may not be forwarded and the requested school shall notify the local police department of the request.
    6. Permanent records shall be initiated by the school for all children entering the District according to the criteria set forth in the Planning and Student Services manual.
      1. Permanent records should only be transferred to the receiving school after a written request is received from that school.  A parental release is not required when transferring student records from one school to another.
        1. Maintain a record of the date the transfer request was received and the date and school where the record was sent.
        2. Transfer the original records for students in grades K through 8.
          1. Discard duplicate and non-essential materials from the file, making sure test scores, report cards, health records and pertinent information about the student remains.
          2. Complete the exit date, membership and all folder information on the file before sending to the receiving school.
        3. Transfer a certified copy of records for students in grades 9 through 12 to requesting schools outside of Jordan School District.
          1. The original records shall then be archived at the high school the student last attended.
          2. Original records for ninth grade students shall be transferred at the end of the year to the feeder system high school to be archived.
          3. Certified copies shall contain an official school seal, are stamped “Official”, and contain a cover letter or other means to certify the school records are official copies.
        4. Transfer the original records for students in grades 9 through 12 to requesting Jordan School District schools.
          1. The original records shall then be archived at the high school the student last attended.
          2. Original records for ninth grade students shall be transferred at the end of the year to the feeder system high school to be archived.
      2. The permanent records of students in grades K-8 who leave the District shall remain in the school until requested by the receiving school.
    7. Each school shall have a hard copy containing demographic information and class schedule for each student, including all new students, that is readily accessible in case of a power failure or other emergency situation.
    8. Teachers shall make daily attendance checks for the purpose of verifying average daily membership for allocation of minimum school funds and other relevant purposes including awarding grades and credits.
      1. The absentee report and check-in/check-out sheets or forms shall be properly recorded, and will become the daily attendance report.
      2. All enrollment and attendance shall be recorded through the District student accounting system.

  • Effective: 8/27/1969
  • Revision: 5/22/2012
  • Reviewed: 12/10/2013

  1. Board Directive
    The Board has the power to establish, locate, and maintain kindergarten, elementary, secondary and vocational schools in accordance with Utah Codes §53G-6-302 and 53G-4-402.  The Board shall require evidence of student eligibility to attend the public schools of Jordan District and directs the Administration to establish policy for student eligibility.
  2. Administrative Policy
    1. Residential Eligibility
      All children and youth who have a verifiable residence in the District, and who are otherwise qualified, shall be entitled to attend the public schools, kindergarten through twelfth grade (K-12).
    2. Age of Entrance into Kindergarten
      Children seeking to enter school must be at least five years of age before September 2nd of the year in which admission is sought – Utah Code §53G-4-402.  The only exception will be a military child, as defined in Utah Code 53E-3-903, who does not meet the deadline if the student has previously attended kindergarten or a higher grade as a resident in another state.
    3. Age of Entrance into First Grade
      1. Kindergarten attendance is not mandatory, but school attendance at age six (6) is mandatory unless the child is excused according to Utah State Code §53G-6-204.  A child may be placed in the first grade even though the child did not meet the entry day for kindergarten the previous year if a full year of kindergarten was completed in another state or private school provided there is convincing evidence that the child has the skills necessary to succeed in first grade.  (As per letter from the State Office of Education, July 28, 2006.)
      2. Once a child is enrolled in school in the appropriate grade, the local school educational team comprised of a school administrator, parent(s)/legal guardian(s), teacher(s), and guidance personnel may make changes in the placement of a child based upon a professional determination that such a change is in the best interest of the child.  (See Policy AS64—Student Retention and Acceleration).
    4. Birth Certificate
      1. An original birth certificate issued by the Bureau of Vital Statistics shall be required of all children at the time of their entrance into kindergarten.  Exceptions, if any, must be approved by the  administrator of Planning and Student Services Department.
      2. A certified birth certificate may be required of first (1st) grade registrants at the discretion of the school principal.  A certified birth certificate may also be required in special cases brought up for review.
      3. Upon enrollment of a student for the first time in a particular school, that school shall notify in writing the person enrolling the student that within 30 days he/she must provide either a certified copy of the student's birth certificate, or other reliable proof of the student's identity and age, together with an affidavit explaining the inability to produce a copy of the certified birth certificate.  In all cases, if a person enrolling a student indicates a birth certificate from the Bureau of Vital Statistics cannot be obtained for whatever reason, the school shall refer that person to the Planning and Student Services Department prior to enrollment.
      4. Upon failure of a person enrolling a student to comply with the above, the school shall notify that person in writing that unless he/she complies within 10 days, the case shall be referred to the local law enforcement authority for investigation. If compliance is not obtained within that 10-day period, the school shall refer the case to the local law enforcement agency. The school shall immediately report to the local law enforcement authority any affidavit received which appears inaccurate or suspicious—Utah Code §53G-6-603.
    5. Health Examination
      1. Physical and dental examinations made prior to kindergarten registration shall be recommended for all children entering Jordan District schools.
      2. Immunizations that are required for school entry must be on file according to Policy AS87—Immunization.
    6. Homeless Students
      1. The Administration recognizes the importance of requiring and maintaining necessary records for all students.  However, the Administration also recognizes the importance of removing barriers for homeless students to enroll and participate in school.  Under the McKinney-Vento Act, homeless students are entitled to immediate enrollment and full participation even if they are unable to produce records normally required for enrollment, such as previous academic records, medical records, proof of residency, birth certificate, or other documentation.  42 U.S.C. §11432(g)(3)(C) and (g)(1)(H), (I)
        1. Homeless students shall be enrolled immediately.
        2. Homeless students will be granted full participation in school activities and programs.  They cannot be excluded based on their inability to present the following information:
          1. Immunization records
          2. Medical records
          3. Birth certificate
          4. Previous school records or transcripts
          5. Guardianship records
          6. Proof of residency
          7. Other required documentation
      2. Homeless students have three options for choice of school to attend:
        1. School of origin (the school the child has attended when permanently housed)
        2. School of origin (the school the child last attended)
        3. The school closest to the shelter or other temporary housing
      3. The school will continue efforts to assist the student in completing necessary and important records especially all immunization information.
      4. The school will work closely with the District Outreach/Homeless Liaison.