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Open Enrollment
Engage. Educate. Empower.
Our students are provided with an engaging learning environment that helps them grow academically, emotionally, socially, and physically. From preschool through graduation, we offer a range of experiences to support the needs of every student. These varied experiences, from academics, clubs, and organizations, to athletics, put our students on a path that leads to future careers, and hobbies, or simply provides an opportunity to give back to their community.
We build pride in being part of the Bulldog Nation every day through classroom, school, and district celebrations.
Opportunities at Ottumwa High School include: AP courses, Al Exito, Art Club, Band, Cheerleading, English Learner program, National Honor Society, Silver Cord recognition for community service, Large/Small Group Speech, sports, Trap Shooting, Archery, Show Choir, Student Council, Yearbook, Talented and Gifted, etc.
Opportunities at Evans Junior High School include: Al Exito, English Learner program, band, orchestra, choir, sports, Talented and Gifted, Chess Club, Math Counts, History Day competition, school plays, FIRST LEGO League, Future Cities, etc.
Opportunities at Pickwick Early Childhood Center and Elementary include: Guidance counseling services, Family Service Workers, Title I Reading, Talented and Gifted, youth sports teams, Foster Grandparent Program, Reading Buddies, English Learner program, etc.
Ottumwa has Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways in business, construction, food, health, early childhood, and Project Lead the Way (PLTW). These pathways prepare students for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) postsecondary education programs and careers.
Open Enrollment Information
Open Enrollment is a cost-free option by which parents or guardians residing in an Iowa district may enroll their children into another Iowa school district under the terms and conditions of Iowa Code 282.18 and the administrative rules contained in Iowa Administrative Code 281—17 as amended by Senate File 2435.
If a parent or guardian wishes to open enroll their child(ren), they must submit an application for each child in their family and send the application to both the resident and receiving school districts on or before the established deadline to be considered for approval (Iowa Code 282.18(2), paragraphs a and b, as amended by Senate File 2435):
- Applications to Approved Online Schools: The deadline does not apply.
- MARCH 1, 2026: Application deadline for students in grades 1-12 to open enroll for the upcoming school year.
- MARCH 2, 2026: Applications for students in grades 1-12 will be denied unless the parent or guardian is able to demonstrate good cause.
- SEPTEMBER 1, 2026: Application deadline for incoming kindergarten students and for incoming preschool students who receive special education services requiring specially designed instruction (SDI) for the current school year.
- SEPTEMBER 2, 2026: Applications for incoming preschool students requiring SDI and kindergarten students will be denied unless the parent or guardian is able to demonstrate “good cause” (see the “Good Cause” Exemptions to Deadlines section of the Open Enrollment Handbook).
Guidance on Athletic Eligibility
Unless an exception applies, the General Transfer Rule (281-IAC 36.15(3)) prohibits a student-athlete from participating in varsity athletics for 90 school days (not including summer school) after transferring from one Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) or Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) member or associate member school or school district to another.
Contact
Completed forms may be submitted via email to welcome@ottumwaschools.com, mailed, or dropped off in person to the Ottumwa School District Welcome Center at 331 E Main St.
Parents with questions are asked to contact the Welcome Center at (641) 684-6559 or welcome@ottumwaschools.com