Open Enrollment
Phoenix Elementary School District offers open enrollment in accordance with A.R.S. 15-816 et seq.
We welcome families both within and outside of our district boundaries to apply to attend a Phoenix #1 school. No tuition is charged for open enrollment, except as permitted by Arizona law.
Who May Apply?
District Resident Students
Students who live within Phoenix #1 boundaries:
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Are guaranteed enrollment at their assigned neighborhood school.
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May apply to attend another Phoenix #1 school as a resident transfer, subject to capacity.
Nonresident Students
Students who live outside Phoenix #1 boundaries may apply for open enrollment and will be considered based on available capacity and enrollment priorities.
Schools accept students throughout the school year as capacity allows.
Enrollment Priorities
If a school has available capacity, enrollment preference is given in the following order:
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District resident students
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Students returning to the same school from the prior year
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Siblings of currently enrolled students
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Children of District employees
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Resident transfer students
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Nonresident students
Additional preference may be given to:
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Students in foster care
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Students identified under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
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Students attending a school that is closing
If available seats are insufficient to accommodate all eligible applicants, students will be selected through an equitable process such as a lottery.
Capacity Information
Each school’s available capacity by grade level — and by specialized program, if applicable — is updated at least once every twelve weeks unless there are no changes to report.
Capacity is determined annually based on:
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Enrollment of resident students
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Returning students
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Employee children
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Classroom space and staffing
Please note that due to daily enrollment fluctuations, actual seat availability may vary.
Admission Standards
In accordance with Arizona law, the District does not limit admission based on:
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Race or ethnicity
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National origin
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Sex
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Income level
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Disability
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English language proficiency
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Athletic ability
Admission may be denied to a student who has been expelled from another educational institution or is in the process of expulsion.
Transportation
Resident Transfer Students
Resident transfer students may use District transportation routes within the attendance boundaries of the school to which they have been accepted. Parents/guardians are responsible for ensuring the student arrives at the designated pickup location.
Nonresident Students
Nonresident students are not eligible for transportation.
Application Process
Families may apply for open enrollment by completing the online enrollment process.
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Applications for the upcoming school year should be submitted by February 28, 2026
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Applications received after this date will be considered based on remaining capacity.
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Families will receive written notification of acceptance, waitlist status, or denial.
If a student is placed on a waitlist, families will be informed when capacity determinations will be revisited.