As the School District population has increased, the School District must restrict open enrollment transfers due to space limitations. Consequently, the School District decides when their schools, grade levels, and District no longer have space for additional students. The Board of Education and administrative staff have established policies for making open enrollment decisions. The Board of Education has established priorities for acceptance of open enrollment students. When there is space available, first priority is given to students who previously resided in houses within the School District that were purchased by the state with respect to Highway 12 construction.
Second priority is given to siblings of enrolled students.
Finally, additional spaces are filled by a lottery of the remaining applicants. Should spaces become available due to changes in enrollment, the Board of Education may reopen a grade level to transfers and will follow the same guidelines and application dates as specified by law. Students moving out of the Orono School District and wishing to remain in the Orono Schools are required to follow the same procedures as all open enrollment applicants. However, students in grades eleven or twelve may remain in the Orono Schools regardless of residency. The District has designated a staff person to handle questions and concerns about open enrollment.