Welcome to Wayzata Public Schools!

Families need to submit the following items to register your student(s).

• Proof of Residency - documentation provided must be current, accurate, and valid
  • Renting: Lease agreement
  • Homeowner: Warranty Deed from closing documents or Hennepin County tax statement if property homesteaded
  • New build: Purchase Agreement (submit Warranty Deed after closing)
• Birth certificate or passport
• Current immunization records (must be on file to start school)
• Minnesota early childhood screening (incoming kindergarten students only)

Wayzata Public Schools is required to collect census data for district families with children 5-years-of-age and under not yet attending kindergarten. This information allows the district to plan for facilities and staffing, provide a population count for early childhood programs, and notify families regarding early childhood screening and kindergarten registration.

Enter Census Information

Wayzata Public Schools Non-Public Special Education
Process for Community

The public school district where the nonpublic school is located is obligated to provide a free and appropriate education (FAPE) to nonpublic school students. Minnesota law extends the same procedural due process rights to Minnesota nonpublic school students as those given to public school students. Authority: Minn. Stat. §§ 125A.18 and 125A.03(a)(2) and (4). See also Special Sch. Dist. No. 1, Minneapolis Pub. Schs. v. R.M.M., 861 F.3d 769, 774 (8th Cir. 2017) (holding that “a plain reading of Minnesota state law shows that private school students have a right to a FAPE.”). 

Current Non-Public Schools within the Wayzata Public Schools (WPS) School District:

• Fourth Baptist Christian School
• Providence Academy
• St. Barts School
• Redeemer Christian Academy
• Hand in Hand Christian Montessori
• West Lutheran High School

Referral Process for a Student with a Current Individualized Education Program (IEP)

Wayzata Public Schools staff will contact the parent and/or school to discuss the interventions currently in place to support the student. The non-public school will implement interventions. The non-public school can partner with Wayzata Public School staff for intervention strategies. If the interventions at the non-public school are unsuccessful, a special education evaluation may be proposed. If parents agree with a proposed written special education evaluation plan, the evaluation will be completed within 30 school days.

Referral Process for a Student Not Currently on an IEP

If your child/student is attending a non-public school listed above and there are concerns with academic progress, suspect a disability that is impacting progress, or have medical or mental health diagnoses that may be impacting learning, the non-public school or parent completes the Referral Form.

WPS staff will contact the parent and/or school to discuss interventions currently in place to support the student. If interventions are not successful, a special education evaluation may be proposed. If parents agree with a proposed written special education evaluation plan, an evaluation will be completed within 30 school days.

Following the completion of the evaluation, a meeting will be held with parents, staff members from the non-public school, WPS staff, and sometimes the student to review the results. If a student qualifies for special education services, the team will develop an IEP for the student. The IEP will include goals and special education services to support the student.

Special Education Services:

• Direct services provided either virtually or in person in a WPS school
  • Oakwood Elementary (K-5)
  • West Middle School (6-8)
  • Wayzata High School (9-12)
• Indirect services may be provided in the nonpublic school to help collaborate and set up learning environments for students
• Determining the frequency and location is done by the IEP team

If you have questions, please reach out to:

Elementary Schools: 
Jeri Johnson, Special Services Supervisor 
Allana Walsh, Special Services Supervisor 

Middle Schools: 
Amy Van Dunk, Special Services Supervisor 

High School: 
Sara Stack, Special Services Supervisor

Referral Form 
Non-public request for 
Special Education Evaluation

Even though one daily lunch and breakfast will be offered free to students through new state funding, completing the Application for Educational Benefits may qualify your family for other discounts such as: 

• Reduced fees for school photography packages
• Reduced district activity fees
• Reduced internet fees
• Reduced fees to local zoos and museums
• Discounted cell phone rates through mobile phone providers

We encourage families to apply for Educational Benefits if they think they might qualify.

Immunization record information

• For students in kindergarten through grade 12.
• This document includes the legal exemption to school immunization.
• For more information about immunizations, call 763-745-6616 or 763-745-5763.

Wayzata Public Schools provides free early childhood screening to all 3- to 5-year-olds living in our school district. The early childhood screening visit is one of many Connect at 3 opportunities offered by the district. 

Optional Data Privacy Form

Students are expected to attend the school designated for their geographical area. Exceptions to this will be considered if there is capacity in the school and grade being requested. In addition, the family must provide their own transportation to and from school.

Requests will be evaluated based on:

1. Available space in requested building
2. Parental willingness to arrange private transportation

Submission of request does not guarantee a transfer.  Approval or denial will be provided to Parent/Guardian via email after evaluation by administrators.

Intra-District Building Transfer Request

 

Please email the Welcome Center with a copy of the signed lease or purchase agreement for the new home.  Please provide the main page and signatures and include your child's(ren) name. We will reply to discuss any potential changes in school of attendance.

Parents are expected to communicate the dates of their student’s absence in advance to the school office. Once the school is notified, please complete the Extended Vacation form.

Per the Minnesota Department of Education enrollment guidelines, withdrawal after 15 consecutive days of absence triggers the close of the enrollment status record.

If the extended vacation exceeds 15 school days, district-issued technology and Skyward Family Access may not be immediately available upon return.

Extended Vacation Form

Parents or guardians must complete the Withdrawal from Wayzata Public Schools form upon leaving the Wayzata Public Schools. This form should be completed regardless of whether the students are moving, making a different choice for education, or homeschooling.

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2025-26 Attendance Area Adjustments

Statewide enrollment options, informally known as open enrollment, is Minnesota’s public school choice option that allows students and parents to have access to schools that are not within their resident district. This program allows student enrollment from one school district into another

2024-2025 School Year 

The Wayzata School Board has voted to close open enrollment for Kindergarten - grade 12. 
**There is currently a limited number of spots at 7th grade for the 2024-25 school year. 

If you would like to apply for 2024-2025 admission to Wayzata Public Schools under the provisions of open enrollment, our timeline is as follows:

• Apply October 1, 2023 through January 15, 2024
• January 15, 2024 Open Enrollment Applications must be received in the district by this date
• February 15, 2024 Written Notification will be emailed to parent/guardian regarding acceptance or denial
• March 1, 2024 Parent/guardian must notify Wayzata Public Schools of their intent to enroll or risk losing their placement

Please NOTE:

• There is no implied guarantee that an application will be approved. A lottery will be used, if needed, for applications received by the January 15th deadline.
• Only the legal parent or guardian may submit an application on behalf of a student.
• Unsigned applications will be returned.
• Open enrolled students will be placed at a school with anticipated capacity.
• If approved, it is the parent's responsibility to provide timely transportation to and from the school in which you are assigned.
• Open enrollment form and additional information is available on the Minnesota Department of Education website. https://education.mn.gov/MDE/fam/open/

Please complete application, sign, and submit to welcome@wayzataschools.org or mail to:

Wayzata Public Schools Welcome Center
13305 12th Ave N
Plymouth, MN 55444

2025-2026 School Year 

The Wayzata School Board has voted to accept open enrollment for Kindergarten. Grades 1-12 are closed.

Applications for a small number of Kindergarten age students (1% of class size) will be approved. 

If you would like to apply for 2025-2026 admission to Wayzata Public Schools under the provisions of open enrollment, our timeline is as follows:

• Apply October 1, 2024 through January 15, 2025
• January 15, 2025 Open Enrollment Applications must be received in the district by this date
• February 15, 2025 Written Notification will be emailed to parent/guardian regarding acceptance or denial
• March 1, 2025 Parent/guardian must notify Wayzata Public Schools of their intent to enroll or risk losing their placement

Please NOTE:

• There is no implied guarantee that an application will be approved. A lottery will be used, if needed, for applications received by the January 15th deadline.
• Only the legal parent or guardian may submit an application on behalf of a student.
• Unsigned applications will be returned.
• Open enrolled students will be placed at a school with anticipated capacity.
• If approved, it is the parent's responsibility to provide timely transportation to and from the school in which you are assigned.
• Open enrollment form and additional information is available on the Minnesota Department of Education website. https://education.mn.gov/MDE/fam/open/

Please complete application, sign, and submit to welcome@wayzataschools.org or mail to:

Wayzata Public Schools Welcome Center
13305 12th Ave N
Plymouth, MN 55441

Welcome Center Staff

Judi Ohochukwu
Welcome Center Specialist      

Shirley Ross
Administrative Professional         

Jonathan Blight
Administrative Professional             

Karen Arkesteyn
Administrative Professional             

Jennifer Welk
Student Accounting & Finance Manager
District Homeless Liaison
Foster Care Point of Contact
763-745-5284
Jennifer.Welk@wayzataschools.org

District childcare is available through Wayzata Kids, a Community Ed program.

Visit the Wayzata Kids webpage to learn more about programming and to register.