MCSD is making great strides to create an environment that meets the needs and enriches the lives of all learners through interventions and the expectation of excellence in and out of the classroom. We offer a wide variety of coursework and extracurricular activities to allow students to challenge themselves and find their passion. The Cardinal Culture is one that sponsors success, good sportsmanship, and creative citizens for now and for the future.

Open Enrollment is the process by which parents/guardians residing in an Iowa district may enroll their children into another Iowa school district under the terms and conditions of Iowa Code section 282.18 and Iowa Administrative Code 218-17.

House File (HF) 2589 eliminates the March 1 deadline for open enrollment. This change allows parents/guardians to apply for open enrollment at any time without the need for good cause. The receiving district may deny an open enrollment request if one of the following applies:

• The application violates the district’s insufficient classroom space policy,

• The district does not have the appropriate special education program,

• The application would adversely affect the district’s implementation of a court-ordered desegregation plan, or

• The student has been expelled or suspended.

If a parent/guardian moves and wishes for their student to continue at the original resident district under open enrollment (often known as the “continuation rule”), requests cannot be denied due to insufficient classroom space policies.

Parents should be aware that open enrollment may result in the loss of athletic eligibility.

The Open Enrollment Form and Handbook are available below or on the Iowa Department of Education website.

Please contact the Central Office with any questions: (563) 652-4984.