Overview on School Choice in Arizona

Types of Enrollment

There are two main types of enrollment in public schools, regular enrollment and open enrollment. 

Regular Enrollment is when a student attends the local school they are assigned to based on their home address. Arizona law requires that district schools have enough seats for all students in the boundaries. (A.R.S. § 15-816.01)

Open Enrollment is when a student applies for and attends a school other than the one they are assigned based on their home address. This may be a different school in their local school district, a school in a different district, or a charter school. Schools in Arizona are required to enroll open enrollment students as long as there is capacity available for the program, class, or grade level. 

Arizona law specifically states that school districts may not deny enrollment based on:

• ethnicity or race

• national origin

• sex

• income level

• disability

• English language proficiency

• athletic ability

(A.R.S. § 15-816.01(F))

(A.R.S. § 15-184(F))

Considerations When Choosing a School

There are many factors to consider when thinking about the school choice that will help your student succeed.

Some things you may consider when selecting a school for your student are:

• Location/transportation options

• Academic focus

• Specialized program - arts, STEM, etc.

• Sports/extracurricular activities

• Community involvement

• Facilities - school garden, sports fields, etc.

• Services and resources available to families

• Class size

• School size

• Teacher qualifications

• School culture

• Parent involvement