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Open Enrollment

GMSD School Choice Transfers

School Choice, also known as Open Enrollment, allows families outside the City of Germantown to apply for enrollment in Germantown Municipal School District schools. As a top destination district, space is limited, and open enrollment is offered only when projections show availability in specific grade bands.

Currently, GMSD welcomes nearly 700 students—approximately 11% of our total population—through School Choice, including 200 children of GMSD and City of Germantown employees and many high school students accepted into our academies or enrolled in the Germantown Online Academy for Learning.

K-8 Application for School Choice Open Enrollment for the 2025-2026 School Year

9-12 Application for School Choice open enrollment for the 2025-2026 School Year

Germantown Online Academy of Learning K-12 School Choice Open Enrollment Application for the 2025-2025 School Year

**The button(s) above is only live during the school choice application window.

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Key Dates: School Choice (Open Enrollment) for the 2025-2026 school year opens on January 6, 2025, at 10:00 am CST and closes on February 7, 2025, at 11:59 pm CST.

Who Needs to Apply for Open Enrollment?

Families who need to apply for School Choice include:

  • Students Living Outside the GMSD Attendance Zone: GMSD serves all residents of the City of Germantown. Students who live outside these boundaries, including children of GMSD employees, must apply for School Choice to attend.
  • Currently Enrolled Transfer Students: Students attending GMSD on a transfer do not need to reapply each year. However, they must reapply during the School Choice window if they are in the exit year of their current school to maintain their placement.
  • Germantown Residents Requesting Intra-District Transfers: Families living in Germantown who wish to transfer their child from one GMSD school to another must also submit a School Choice application.

**Applications must be submitted every school year during the designated School Choice window, which typically lasts 30 days in January and February. This ensures compliance with enrollment policies and allows GMSD to manage capacity effectively while offering families flexibility in choosing their child’s school.

 

Understanding the How Transfers Are Granted

GMSD follows a numbered system of enrollment priorities to grant School Choice transfers. Applicants who qualify under one of these priorities will be offered available seats first. Once all higher-priority applicants have been placed, any remaining seats are awarded to lower-priority applicants through a lottery system.

Enrollment Priorities

  1. Children of GMSD Employees
  2. Children of City of Germantown Employees
  3. Students Accepted into Houston High School Academies
    • Honors Academy
    • Leadership Academy
  4. Siblings of Current GMSD Students
  5. Non-Resident Children Living in Shelby County
  6. Children of In-State, Out-of-County Residents
  7. Children of Out-of-State Residents

Want to Increase Your Chances of Approval?

Because open seats are limited, consider these options:

  • Apply for a Houston High School Academy: These programs have dedicated priority in the enrollment process.
  • Join the GMSD Team: As an employee, your child will qualify for the highest enrollment priority!

For more information, contact GMSD Student Services at (901) 752-7900 or email us directly. Take the first step to join one of Tennessee’s top-performing districts!

 

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Frequently Asked Questions: Your School Choice Guide

Kathy Dudley, our Student Services Specialist, is on the front lines of assisting families through the School Choice open enrollment process. During the enrollment window, Kathy fields a high volume of calls and emails, working to ensure every family has the information they need.

To help save you time and streamline your experience, we sat down with Kathy to gather answers to the most frequently asked questions she receives. Here’s everything you need to know to make your process smoother!

Curious About Tuition?

Tuition fees apply to non-resident students attending GMSD, with rates varying based on the type of transfer. In some cases, students may even qualify for tuition exemptions. To learn more about rates, restrictions, and eligibility for exemptions:

Visit our GMSD Tuition Page

 

Enrollment and Registration Timeline

Keeping up with important dates and deadlines like School Choice, registration, and academy applications can be overwhelming. To make it easier, we’ve outlined the key milestones in the GMSD Student Services timeline below:

  • School Choice (Open Enrollment): January 6, 2025, at 10:00 am CST – February 7, 2025, at 11:59 pm CST
  • GMSD Intent to Return Forms: Due February 2025
  • School Choice Transfer Decisions: Approval and denial letters mailed by February 28, 2025
  • 2025-2026 Registration (All Students): Opens July 1, 2025, and remains open year-round
  • 2025-2026 Houston High Academy Applications:  Remain open, year-round
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