Open Enrollment & Contract Information and Availability
ALL requests for Open Enrollment & Contract Application for the 2025-26 school year must be submitted using the Washington County Schools - Open Enrollment Application: 2025-26 School Year.
Parents who would like to request that their child attend a county school outside the zone for which their child is zoned must apply for open enrollment. Families living outside of the Washington County School District must apply for Open Enrollment and, if accepted, sign an Enrollment Contract.
To learn which school your child is zoned to, please visit or call the Washington County Schools Student Support Office at (423) 753-1112.
OPEN ENROLLMENT
Due to a change in Tennessee state law, starting with the 2022-23 school year, Washington County Schools students may attend a WCS school other than the one to which they are currently zoned as long as space is available in the requested school and grade level.
The number of enrollment spaces available at each location is based on the projected enrollment for 2025- 26, including school and grade-level capacities. School enrollment will be monitored during the Open Enrollment period, and as a result, available seats may be adjusted to comply with state law. If more requests are received than are available at a school or grade level, a lottery will be held to determine enrollment placement. Any students not selected during the lottery will be placed on a waiting list for potential enrollment.
CONTRACT ENROLLMENT
Students who live outside the Washington County School District may be enrolled through a contract. Parents will apply via the Open Enrollment Application process and during the open enrollment window. Students on contract will be expected to maintain satisfactory attendance, academic progress, and conduct throughout the school year or risk losing their contract. Losing a contracted enrollment would result in the student being dropped from Washington County Schools and returning to their assigned school district.
Open Enrollment Schedule
● May 5 - June 6, 2025: Parents/Guardians may apply for open or contract enrollment at a school to which a student is not zoned.
● June 20, 2025: The anticipated date when notification to parents/guardians of student enrollment status will be complete.
Open Enrollment FAQ
What is open enrollment?
Open Enrollment is the process in which parents/guardians living within the Washington County School District may elect to enroll their child(ren) in a Washington County school where they are not zoned, as long as space is available in the requested school or grade level.
Who is eligible for open enrollment?
Any resident of the Washington County School District may elect to have their child(ren) attend a school other than the one in which they are zoned.
How do I apply for open enrollment?
Parents/Guardians may apply for open enrollment using the above link through June 6, 2025.
If I apply for open enrollment, am I guaranteed to attend my requested school?
Parents/Guardians will have their open enrollment request granted unless there are more requests for a particular school or grade level than slots available. If this occurs, a lottery will be held to select the students who will fill the available slots.
How will I be informed if my application for open enrollment is approved?
It is anticipated that Parents/Guardians will be informed by Washington County Schools no later than June 20, 2025, as to their student(s) enrollment for the 2025-26 school year. This notification will come via email to the account indicated during the application process and a mailed letter. Please note that notifications may occur at a later date for kindergarten applications due to monitoring enrollment at each location.
I am applying for open enrollment, and I already have another child/sibling enrolled at that school. Does my application receive priority in the open enrollment process?
Yes. Based on Washington County Schools Student Priority and Tennessee State Law, siblings receive priority status when applying for open enrollment.
I am applying for open enrollment, and I am an employee of Washington County Schools. Does my application receive priority in the open enrollment process?
Yes. Based on Washington County Schools Student Priority and Tennessee State Law, employees of Washington County Schools receive priority status when applying for open enrollment.
Does Washington County Schools provide transportation if my student is attending a school of choice through open enrollment?
No, bus transportation is only provided for students attending the school to which they are zoned.