Bartlett, Arlington, and Lakeland school districts urgently need early enrollment information for a smooth start to the 2014-15 school year. They have arranged early enrollments dates in addition to the regular enrollments.
[Editor’s Note: This post contains a correction, explaining that Lakeland School System does not have an open enrollment policy.]
Completion of an intent form is not a substitute for attending early enrollment. Students who attend early enrollment also must attend regular enrollment.
Non-resident students (those who are not zoned to attend these districts) can see additional information below on how to apply.
BARTLETT CITY SCHOOLS
Early enrollment for students zoned to Bartlett schools:
- 4:30-7:30 p.m. on March 18 (for elementary students and high school grades 9-10)
- 4:30-7:30 p.m. on March 20 (for middle school students and high school grades 11-12)
Early enrollment is at the school students are zoned to attend for the 2014-15 school year.
Regular enrollment:
- July 29; time to be determined. Required for all students, including early enrollees.
Special education:
- Aug. 4 (first full school day) enrollment for students in self-contained special education classes; no need to attend early enrollment. Before Aug. 4, call the school and speak with the Special Education Secretary to confirm enrollment.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about enrollment in Bartlett Community Schools: See this link.
ARLINGTON COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
Early enrollment for students zoned to Arlington schools:
- 4:30-7:30 p.m. on March 18 (for elementary students and high school grades 9-10)
- 4:30-7:30 p.m. on March 20 (for middle school students and high school grades 11-12)
Early enrollment is at the school students are zoned to attend for the 2014-15 school year.
Regular enrollment:
- July 29; time to be determined. Required for all students, including early enrollees.
Special education:
- Aug. 4 (first full school day) enrollment for students in self-contained special education classes; no need to attend early enrollment. Before this date, call the school and speak with the Special Education Secretary to confirm enrollment.
FAQs about enrollment in Arlington Community Schools: See this link.
LAKELAND SCHOOL SYSTEM
Early enrollment for students zoned to Lakeland Elementary School:
- 9:15 a.m.-7:30 p.m. on March 18.
Returning students enroll in the gym. New students and kindergarteners enroll in the cafeteria. Parking will be in the back parking lot with entrance through the gym.
Regular enrollment:
- 7 a.m.-7 p.m. July 29. Required for all students, including early enrollees.
FAQs about enrollment in the Lakeland School System: Click “download PDF” on their website’s enrollment night post. Also see the district’s overall FAQs page.
NON-RESIDENT STUDENTS (OPEN ENROLLMENT)
Acceptance into a school district as a non-resident of that district relies upon several factors, including available space. Following are some guidelines for open enrollment in area school districts:
Bartlett: Students who aren’t zoned for Bartlett schools can attend early enrollment to complete a non-resident application. Applicants will be notified of results during April. Approved students will receive additional information about registration. See the Bartlett City Schools’ non-resident student policy online. Students who live outside of Shelby County will be required to pay tuition. See Bartlett City Schools’ enrollment information and proof of residence requirements online.
Arlington: Students who aren’t zoned for Arlington schools should NOT attend early enrollment; complete the non-resident form online. Applicants will be notified of results during April. Approved students will receive additional information about registration. See the non-resident student policy online. Students who live outside of Shelby County will be required to pay tuition.
To access the Arlington Community Schools’ enrollment packet (including the list of documents required for enrollment), the application for non-resident students, or the request form for student transfer, see links on their website.
Lakeland: Lakeland does not have an open enrollment policy; students who are not zoned for this school district cannot attend (see exception below for Donelson Elementary students). [Editor’s note: A story in our March 13 edition incorrectly referred to Lakeland School System’s enrollment of non-resident students. It is only Donelson Elementary students living in Lakeland who may apply to attend Lakeland Elementary School.]
The Lakeland School System currently includes one educational institution, the Lakeland Elementary School (LES). Following are guidelines for Lakeland students in elementary, middle, and high school grades for the 2014-15 school year:
Lakeland school-age children who are currently zoned to Donelson Elementary School for the 2013-2014 school year will continue attending Donelson through their exit grade, per an interlocal agreement with Arlington Community Schools. The agreement also includes bus transportation provided by Arlington Community Schools. If these students wish to attend Lakeland Elementary School instead, they are eligible to request a transfer if space is available and parents can provide their own transportation. Parents in that situation who would like for their child to attend LES should attend enrollment night at LES on March 18.
All other K-5 students in the Lakeland city limits are now zoned to Lakeland Elementary School, and transportation will be provided by Lakeland (with the exception of students who live very close to the school, within the yet-to-be-defined Parental Zone of Responsibility).
The board is expected to approve a policy that will allow current students who live outside the Lakeland city limits to continue attending LES through their exit grades, but transportation to LES will only be provided for students who live within the Lakeland city limits.
Lakeland students entering grade 6: These students will be zoned for Arlington Middle School.
Lakeland students entering grades 7 and 8: Those who are currently zoned for Bon Lin Middle School will be allowed to continue attending Bon Lin through their exit grade. (This has been approved by the Lakeland school board and is pending approval by the Bartlett school board.) Those who do not live in the current Bon Lin attendance zone will attend Arlington Middle School.
Lakeland school-age children who are zoned to attend Bon Lin Middle School but who wish to attend Arlington Middle School instead must apply to Arlington Community Schools through their open enrollment process.
Lakeland students entering grades 9-12: These students are zoned for Arlington High through an interlocal agreement with Arlington Community Schools.
SHARED RESIDENCY STUDENTS
“Shared residency” refers to scenarios in which parents and children live with another family (and thus cannot provide the usual proof of residency requirements for acceptance into public schools).
Bartlett: Shared residency paperwork will not be accepted at early enrollment. Report to regular enrollment instead. (Attendance is allowed at early enrollment night to obtain additional information, although not to enroll.)
Arlington: Shared residency paperwork will not be accepted at early enrollment. Report to regular enrollment instead.
Lakeland: Shared residency paperwork will not be accepted at early enrollment. Report to regular enrollment instead.
Written by Carolyn Bahm, Express editor. Contact her at (901) 433-9138 or carolyn.bahm@journalinc.com.
