Application FAQs
Q: When will I hear if I have been accepted into the program?
A: The process can take up to 7 days. If you don't hear from us within that timeline, please let us know!
Q: Do you accept new students during the school year?
A: Yes! OpenEd welcomes new students throughout the year. You can enroll in our full-year program through August (with a September start) or join our mid-year program through December (with a January start). Please note, we don’t offer a 1st-semester-only option.
Q: What happens if I change my mind after I apply?
A: No problem—submitting an application doesn’t commit you to enrolling. If you decide OpenEd isn’t the right fit, just let us know so we can stop sending reminders about completing your paperwork.
Q: What if I decide to withdraw after the school year has begun?
A: If you've enrolled and later decide that OpenEd isn’t the right fit, please email us at [email protected]. Our friendly Parent Support team is here to help—sometimes a quick conversation can make all the difference, especially as families adjust to the learning curve of the program.
If you need to withdraw once the school year begins, please review our Withdrawal/Repayment Policy guidelines, as early withdrawal may require repayment.
Enrollment FAQs
Q: What is the Kindergarten age requirement?
A: Under Iowa Code 282.3, a student must be five years old on or before September 15th to enter Kindergarten.
Q: What counts as Proof of Iowa Residency?
A: Our preferred proof of residency is an active driver's license. If you don't have an active driver's license, we can also accept one of the following documents issued in the past 60 days:
Utility bill (gas, electric, sewer, home internet, garbage, water, propane), mortgage statement, lease or rental agreement, voter registration, property tax bill, homeowner's insurance bill, vehicle registration, letter from a shelter (if homeless), or a letter from an employer if they are providing housing.
Q: What if I don’t have my student’s birth certificate? What is an Affidavit of Birth?
A: A notarized Affidavit of Birth, combined with another proof of age document (like a U.S. citizenship card, a passport/visa, adoption records, a hospital record of live birth, or a legal document like a court order), can be uploaded to your enrollment tasks.
That will work for 30 days, so be sure to order a certified copy of your student's birth certificate now.
Q: What does my student need to do to remain enrolled in the program?
A: To remain enrolled in the program, your student will need to submit all of their weekly learning logs.
Q: Why does my young student need an email address?
A: Every student in the OpenEd program needs an individual, active email account. This is required to access their educational resources.
Please avoid using email addresses from previous schools, as these are often deactivated. For younger students, we recommend setting up a parent-managed email account.
Q: Why do we need to provide immunization records? Where can I get the Immunization Exemption Form?
A: Students in the OpenEd program are full-time public school students and need to abide by state regulations for immunizations. However, families have options for compliance.
You must provide one of the following:
Certificate of Immunization (completed by a physician, a physician assistant, nurse or certified medical assistant)
Religious Exemption (completed by you, the parent)
Medical Exemption (completed by physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner; the doc must include their license number)