Schools of Choice


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East Lansing Public Schools
Schools of Choice


Are you interested in receiving information on ELPS Schools of Choice information when it becomes available?  
 

Please complete if you are interested in Schools of Choice for 2024-25. The application period is June 3 - June 17, 2024, by 4:00 pm.

This is not the Schools of Choice Application.

https://forms.gle/sbnuL3B3uTjWS82V9

 


The 2023-24 School Year
 

The Schools of Choice application period has ended for the 2023-24 school year.  Applications are no longer being accepted.


 

How Do I Enroll My Child?
By law, school districts must hold a lottery if more applications are received than spaces available. Notification letters will be mailed to families by the end of the first week in July. If selected, families will be asked to complete enrollment materials by July 31. Notification letters will contain the building assignment and enrollment instructions.

Transportation
Transportation to and from our district will be the responsibility of the family. Students must arrive in time to begin instructional activities at the start of the school day and must be picked up or have other arrangements once the school day has ended.

Families must ensure the student maintains good-standing attendance.

Before and After School Care Programs
Before and After School programs are operated by the East Lansing Recreation and Arts program. To obtain information about their program please call (517) 319-6978 or visit their website at cityofeastlansing.com “parks, recreation and arts.”

Why Schools of Choice?
East Lansing Public Schools (ELPS) has been a Schools of Choice district since the Michigan legislature created the program in 1996. Why? Because we believe families should have options for their children and we believe the Schools of Choice plan provides exciting options.

ELPS with its tradition of leadership and excellence provides the educational opportunities parents are seeking.

We believe:

  • students' needs and interests are core to all decisions and actions;
  • we must inspire a passion for lifelong learning;
  • high expectations in teaching and learning result in personal and academic excellence;
  • diversity is affirmed by integrating the uniqueness of every child into our learning community;
  • in providing equitable access to opportunities and resources for students;
  • in engaging the entire community to create a trusting, safe, welcoming learning environment;
  • in building world citizens.

We invite you to submit an application to East Lansing Public Schools for this limited enrollment opportunity.

We Want You To Be Involved!If you select East Lansing Public Schools for your child, we want you to be an integral part of the educational process. It is important to us that both you and your child feel welcome and a part of our community.

We have an excellent volunteer program. Many volunteers provide countless hours of support annually to our schools. If you are interested in being a volunteer, please complete the Volunteer Form.

We also have regularly scheduled conferences with teachers. However, if you have a question or concern, please do not hesitate to call your child’s teacher, the school counselor, or the principal. They will be happy to talk with you. Your expression of concern is viewed as a positive involvement in your child’s education.

Newsletters go home from each building regularly which will also provide families with information about school activities and events (or visit our website at elps.us).

We welcome you as an active participant in our schools, in our community, and in your child’s education. Thank you for considering East Lansing Public Schools.


District staff will be happy to answer your questions. Please contact Kelly Hocquard - 333-7424 or by email at kelly.hocquard@elps.us

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Frequently Asked Questions
 

I don’t live in the East Lansing School District.  How can I enroll my child in the East Lansing School District?

State law governs the Schools of Choice process.  School districts have the option of participating in Schools of Choice on an annual basis.  Districts may advertise available slots and accept applications only at specific times.  East Lansing Public Schools has been a participating district in the Schools of Choice process since its inception.  The Board of Education usually decides on the district’s participation in Schools of Choice by mid-May.  At that time the number of slots and grade levels will be identified and published.  The publication will be on our district website and in the Lansing State Journal on a Sunday in mid-May. 

When is the application period?

The application period is for 15 days (June 1 – June 15, 2022) for fall enrollment. The deadline to apply is June 15, 2022, by 4:00 pm.

Where may I obtain an application?

Beginning June 1, 2022, applications will be available to download from our website – www.elps.us or by contacting Kelly Hocquard, 517-333-7424, schoolsofchoice@elps.us. Applications are only available during the 15-day application period.

Do I need to reapply each year?

Once a student is accepted under the Schools of Choice provisions their enrollment is through graduation as long as enrollment is continuous.  If a student withdraws and enrolls in another district they will forfeit their slot and must reapply during the next application period.

Are siblings guaranteed enrollment in future years?

Siblings are not guaranteed enrollment in future years; however, they are given preference for available advertised slots over any other new applicants providing the district participates in the Schools of Choice process in the year of application.

How are applicants chosen to enroll in East Lansing Public Schools?

The application asks for very basic information (name, grade, address, district of residence, whether there have been suspensions or expulsions).  For grade levels where the number of applications received is less than the number of advertised slots, all applicants will be accepted (except as provided by law regarding suspensions or expulsions).  For grade levels where more applications are received than advertised slots, the law requires that districts accept students on a lottery basis (except as provided by law regarding suspensions or expulsions).   Siblings of current Schools of Choice students receive preference for available slots over new applicants.

When will I be notified if my child has been accepted to attend East Lansing Public Schools?

Families will be notified by the end of the first week in July following the application period.

Are there any fees?

There are no fees or tuition for enrollment under the Schools of Choice provisions.

Who provides transportation?

Transportation to and from our district will be the responsibility of the family.  Students must arrive in time to begin instructional activities at the start of the school day and must be picked up or have other arrangements once the school day has ended. It is also the responsibility of the family to ensure the student maintains good-standing attendance.

How do I know if I live within the Schools of Choice boundaries?

School districts within Ingham County are within the Schools of Choice boundaries for East Lansing Public Schools as well as districts located in intermediate school districts that are contiguous to Ingham Intermediate School District (Clinton, Eaton, Jackson, Livingston, Shiawassee, and Washtenaw).

Can I choose an elementary school?

The Schools of Choice application allows families to indicate their building preference.  During the placement process, we strive to place students in one of their first choices.  We also try our best to keep families together at the same school when placements are made, but there are times when this is not possible due to enrollment at some grade levels. 

East Lansing Public Schools has six elementary schools that serve kindergarten through fifth-grade students.  They are Donley Elementary, Glencairn Elementary, Marble Elementary, Robert L. Green Elementary, Red Cedar Elementary (Y5 – 5), and Whitehills Elementary. MacDonald Middle School serves grades 6 – 8 and East Lansing High School serves 9 – 12.   

For more information please contact Kelly Hocquard at 517-333-7424 or schoolsofchoice@elps.us.

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