Alternate School of Choice Deadline Extended through May 29

Lakota Local Schools has extended the deadline for current parents to apply for an alternate school of choice (ASC). Although communication about the new ASC process and deadline began in January, the updated intra-district board policy was not approved until May 4. Because of this interim, the District has decided to extend the deadline until May 29, 2026 – "the last business day of May” as stated in the original policy. The deadline will not be extended again. 

ASC (known in policy as intra-district enrollment) allows parents and guardians to request that their student attend a school other than their assigned (resident) school.

The process for applying remains the same: applications will only be accepted through an online application. Paper forms will no longer be considered.

The application must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. on May 29. This is the first year the process is fully electronic, and paper forms will not be accepted. Requests are time‑stamped and will continue to be reviewed in the order received. 

ASC approval does not carry over from year to year. Previous approval does not guarantee placement for the following school year.

Application Deadline

Families must submit the online ASC application no later than 11:59 PM on May 29 for consideration for the 2026–2027 school year.

• Applications are time-stamped at submission and reviewed in the order received.
• The online form will automatically close at the deadline.
• Late submissions will not be accepted.
• Paper applications will not be considered under any circumstances.

Annual Application Requirement

ASC approval does not carry over from year to year.

• A new ASC application must be submitted each school year.
• Previous approvals do not guarantee placement for the following year.
• If no application is submitted by the deadline, the student will be assigned to attend their resident school for the upcoming school year.

Information for New Students

• Students who are newly enrolled in Lakota must attend their resident school during their first year.
• Students who move into the district during the school year are not eligible for an ASC request for that same year.

How ASC Requests Are Reviewed

ASC requests are evaluated based on available space and class size at each school. Applications are reviewed in the order they are received, using the submission time stamp.

Please note that poor attendance or serious behavior concerns may result in denial of an ASC request.

When space is limited, requests are prioritized according to Administrative Guideline 5113.01, in the following order:

• Children of district staff members
• Students continuing in the same ASC building
• Siblings of students attending the requested ASC school

Submitting an application does not guarantee approval.

Notification Timeline

Families will be notified of their application status—approval or denial—by July 15.

The time between the application deadline and notification allows the District to carefully monitor enrollment levels and class sizes across all schools before final decisions are made.

Transportation Responsibilities

Families whose ASC requests are approved are responsible for providing transportation. Lakota does not provide bus transportation to Alternate School of Choice buildings.

How to Apply

The online application is now open. For more information, please see Board Policy 5113.01 and its associated Administrative Guidelines for full details.