WHAT IS SCHOOL CHOICE?

For families who do not live within the SSSD school zone but wish to attend one of the schools, the Arkansas School Choice Act is an option. Arkansas Public School Choice enables a student in kindergarten through grade 12 to attend a school in a nonresident district. School applications are accepted annually between January 1 and May 1. Applications that are emailed or postmarked prior to January 1, 2025 or after May 1, 2025 will not be accepted. Uniformed service families are exempt from the deadline.

Arkansas Public School Choice FAQ

The Public School Choice Act of 2015
Ark. Code Ann. § 6-18-1903
A public school choice program is established to enable a student in kindergarten through grade twelve (12) to attend a school in a nonresident district, subject to the limitations under Ark. Code Ann. § 6-18-1906 and the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) Rules Governing The Public School Choice Act of 2015.

Resident/Non-Resident
§ 6-18-1902

• “Resident District” means the school district in which the student resides as determined by § 6-18-202.

  • “Resides” means to be physically present and to maintain a permanent place of abode for an average of no less than four (4) calendar days and nights per week for a primary purpose other than school attendance.

• “Nonresident district” means a school district other than a student’s resident district.

HOW TO APPLY FOR SCHOOL CHOICE

Parents/guardians can complete a school choice application online (English version) / online (Spanish version) or at the SSSD Administration Office (located at 3050 Cheri Whitlock Drive). When filling out the application, please indicate your child's grade for the upcoming school year. Please list your full address and phone number on the application. You may submit your completed application in one of the following ways:

• Email: lawlisb@gosiloam.com

• In-person:
  SSSD Administration Office
  3050 Cheri Whitlock Drive, Siloam Springs, AR 72761

• By Mail:
  Siloam Springs School District
  PO Box 798, Siloam Springs, AR 72761

Accepting or Rejecting Applications
By July 1 the nonresident district shall notify the parent and the resident district in writing that the applicant was accepted or rejected

For information regarding School Choice within the SSSD, please contact:
Bambi Lawlis
Executive Admin Assistant to the Superintendent
Phone: 479-524-3191 ext. 10011

For information regarding the Arkansas Public School Choice Act of 2015, please contact:
Arkansas Department of Education
Office of School Choice and Parent Empowerment
Phone:  501-683-1876
Email:  ade.efa@ade.arkansas.gov