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Educational Choice

Educational choice, or school choice means parents/guardians can pick from different types of schools for their kids, this includes public, private or non-traditional schooling options.

Most families in Iowa enroll their kids in their resident school district or neighborhood school. To enroll your child in your local school, contact the school district. You can find contact details on the district’s website or check the Iowa Public School District Directory.

Public Options

  • Charter Schools

    Public schools providing additional flexibility to meet the education needs of a diverse student population.

  • Home Schooling (Private Instruction)

    An option for parents/guardians to educate their child at home instead of a traditional public or nonpublic school.

  • Online Learning

    Virtual or online learning is instruction delivered primarily over the internet. 

  • Open Enrollment

    A cost-free option for parents to apply to transfer their child from one school district to another school district.

Nonpublic Options

Iowa Nonpublic School Building Directory

  • School Tuition Organizations

    Iowa-based Section 501(c)(3) organizations that raise tuition for students enrolled in accredited nonpublic schools.

  • Students First Education Savings Accounts

    ESAs are funding that can be used  to cover eligible expenses at accredited nonpublic schools in Iowa.

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  • PK-12 (parent section)
    • Accreditation & Program Approval (parent section)
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    • Early Childhood (parent section)
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    • Educational Choice (parent section)
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    • HF2612 Implementation
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          • Certified Enrollment Nonpublic Schools
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        • Civil Rights Data Collection Survey
        • Consolidated Accountability & Support Application (CASA) (parent section)
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        • Reporting Race/Ethnicity in Iowa
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        • Graduation Rates & Dropout Rates
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    • School Operations & Support Services (parent section)
      • Nutrition Programs (parent section)
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        • School Meals (parent section)
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        • School Wellness (parent section)
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          • Summer Meal Program Expansion Grant
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          • Budgets, Area Education Agencies
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      • School Facilities (parent section)
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        • Planning
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          • ACHIEVE Family Portal Frequently Asked Questions for Families
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        • Accessible Educational Materials (AEM)
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        • Autism Spectrum Disorder
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        • Deaf & Hard of Hearing Education (parent section)
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            • Types of Family Support Mentors & What They Do
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    • Standards, Instruction & Assessment (parent section)
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            • Grades K-2
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          • Definition
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          • Iowa Education License Plate Contest
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          • Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant
          • Early Literacy Implementation (parent section)
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          • Resources (parent section)
            • Literacy Content & Anchor Standards
            • Instructional Practice in Literacy (parent section)
              • Teaching the Iowa Academic (Grades K-3) Reading Standards
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            • Instructional Resources
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        • Mathematics (parent section)
          • Resources (parent section)
            • Content & Practice Standards
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            • Teacher Resources in Mathematics
            • Formative Assessment
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            • Professional Development
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        • Physical Education
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        • Science (parent section)
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            • Early Childhood
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            • Professional Development
        • World Languages
        • Social Studies (parent section)
          • Resources (parent section)
            • Understanding & Implementing the Standards
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            • Applying Skills & Content (parent section)
              • Content Area Resources
            • Best Practices in Assessment
            • Professional Learning Resources
      • Specialized Instruction (parent section)
        • Alternative Education
        • English Learners (parent section)
          • English Language Proficiency Assessment for the 21st Century
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            • Proficiency Standards & Support
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            • Professional Learning & Development
        • Gifted & Talented Programs (parent section)
          • Resources (parent section)
            • Instructional Practices
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            • Professional Learning Resources
      • Student Assessment (parent section)
        • Required Student Assessments
        • Formative Assessment
        • Summative Assessment
      • About Student Standards
    • Student Enrollment & Registration
    • Student Supports (parent section)
      • Integrated Student Supports (parent section)
        • Behavioral Health Screening & Telehealth
        • Healthy & Safe Learning Environments
        • Healthy Kids Act
        • Multi-tiered System of Supports (parent section)
          • MTSS Data & Early Warning System
        • Protecting Student Safety
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        • Supports for Learning & Performance
      • Prevention Strategies & Programs (parent section)
        • Attendance & Chronic Absenteeism
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        • Iowa Youth Survey
        • Mental Health
      • Specialized Student Support Services (parent section)
        • School-based Medicaid
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        • Therapeutic Classroom Grant
        • TransAct ParentNotices
      • Student Success for Distinct Populations (parent section)
        • At-Risk (parent section)
          • Programs for At-Risk Early Elementary Students
        • Education of Children in Foster Care

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Iowa Department of Education

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Des Moines, IA 50319

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