HOW TO ENROLL

Thank You for Choosing Van Buren Public Schools!

We are excited about your interest in joining our school community. Due to a high volume of applications, please allow additional time for our enrollment team to process your submission. All enrollment for Van Buren Public Schools is completed online. To begin the process, please submit all required documents electronically. Please note: enrollment is not finalized until all necessary paperwork has been received.

Step One:

Enrollment Information:

Van Buren Public Schools enrollment is based on residency. If you are unsure of which school your child will attend, check out our Locate My School Link

  • Out-of-District Families: A School of Choice application must be submitted and approved before you can complete the in-district enrollment process. The application will be available from May 20th to September 25th, 2025. Please scroll down to the bottom of the page to apply.

The following information is required to enroll your student:

Step Two:

Please collect the following documents for each student you are enrolling . 

You will be required to upload the following documents in the Pre-Enrollment Manager:

  1. Original certified birth certificate (required)

  2. Health Appraisal Form/Immunization record (required) 

    You will need to provide a copy of your students' State of Michigan Immunization Record. To request a copy of an official immunization record, follow this link: https://mcir.org/wpcontent/uploads/2021/05/RequestCopyChildDependent_5.7.2021.pdf

  3. Kindergarten students are also required to provide proof of vision and hearing screening.

  4.  Parent/guardian's driver's license for identification purposes only (not to be used for residency)

  5. Two Items for Proof of Residency:

    1. If you own (choose one set of documents):

      1. Most recent Property tax record and utility bill (DTE or Consumers Energy, phone, cable or internet) issued within the last 60 days

      2. Most recent Homeowners insurance policy and utility bill (DTE or Consumers Energy, phone, cable or internet) issued within the last 60 days

      3. Warranty deed/closing statement for a new resident and confirmation of utility services ordered/transferred (Within 60 days of closing)

    2. If you rent or lease (All items are required)

      1. Signed current rental/lease agreement (that shows your name, address, rental term and signatures of all parties) and one utility bill (DTE or Consumers Energy, phone, cable or internet) issued within the last 60 days

      2. Current renter’s insurance policy (that shows your name, address, and current effective dates) and one utility bill (DTE or Consumers Energy, phone, cable or internet) issued within the last 60 days

    3. If you share a home that is not in one of the parent's name. You will need to obtain an affidavit of residency. This requires an in-person scheduled meeting with the parent and homeowner to sign an affidavit, with proof of residency. Affidavits of residency expire annually at the end of each school year, so a new one will need to be submitted each year if the living situation remains the same. If you are renewing an affidavit, you, the legal parent/guardian, must also provide two documents showing your name at the address listed on the affidavit. Examples include: car insurance or registration, a utility bill or lease with your name, a medical statement, W-2, or a government/state document such as something from DHS. To schedule an appointment, call the school and schedule a meeting with the principal. However, this process may not be necessary if the parent can provide other acceptable proof of residency as listed above. Please check with the school building to determine if this step is required.

  6. Recent IEP for Special Education Students or 504 Plan if applicable 

  7. Students turning 5 between September 1st and December 1st are required to complete the KG waiver form 2025-2026 Kindergarten Waiver

    Exception: According to Michigan Law, a child may be enrolled in kindergarten if he/she is not five years of age on September 1, 2025, but will be five years of age not later than December 1, 2025, and parent or legal guardian notifies the school district in writing (Kindergarten Waiver Form) that he or she intends to enroll the child in kindergarten.

  8. For students entering High School please upload the following: 

    1. Copy of transcripts for grades 9-12  (grade 8 report card for incoming 9th graders)

    2. Withdrawal Grades/Report Card (if enrolling after the start of school)

 Documents scan and upload helpful tips!

Step Three:

A Transportation Request Form must be completed each year that your student wants a bus.

For information on how to request a bus and for a link to the request form, go to our Transportation Registration page.

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School of Choice (non-resident) 2025-2026 is currently open until September 5, 2025.

School of Choice Application Fall 2025

School of Choice families do not have the ability to select a particular school. School of Choice families are choosing the district and will be placed at school with available space. Filling out and submitting the application is not a guarantee of enrollment. The application and discipline record will be reviewed and you will be contacted with a final decision for the next steps.

Due to a lack of available seats on our buses, we are currently unable to assign School of Choice students to a bus route for the 2025-2026 School Year.