Enroll

Enrollment can be filled out online. If you need a paper form or need assistance, please contact Student Information Services at enroll@sowashco.org or 651-425-6328. You can also come to the District Service Center, 7362 E Point Douglas Rd, Cottage Grove, MN 55016, for assistance.

Enroll Online

• Proof of child(ren)'s birth
• Immunization records
• Address verification
  • Current purchase/lease agreement (must be signed and dated)
  • Current property tax statement
  • Current student loan statement
  • Current payroll statement
  • Current bank statement
  • Current federal/state/county benefits statement
  • Current healthcare bill
  • Current utility bill (Xcel Energy or water bill)
  • Confirmation letter of change of address with USPS
• If enrolling for kindergarten, proof of completion of state required health and development screening (free screening available through SoWashCo Schools)

You can find determine your child(ren)'s boundary school by using our boundary school calculator.

Note: The Boundary Calculator does not contain some of the newest housing developments. If you can't find your address please contact Student Information at 651-425-6218.

School tours are scheduled as needed through each school's office. Please contact your boundary school to schedule a tour.

Find your school

Updating Your Address

If you have recently moved to a new location within the district, you will need to complete a change of address form and a current proof of residency to have your information updated.

Paper forms can be emailed to Student Information Services at abromen@sowashco.org, faxed to 651-425-6320 or dropped off at the District Service Center, 7362 E Point Douglas Rd, Cottage Grove, MN 55016.

Continuing At Current School

If you wish for your child to continue at their current school instead of attending the boundary school connected to your new address you will need to complete an intra-district transfer (IDT) form. 

Students moving during the school year outside of the South Washington County Schools attendance boundaries may apply for open enrollment and be able to finish the school year at their current school. However, the student(s) may be assigned to a different school the next year.

An application can be emailed to pthoele@sowashco.org, faxed to 651-425-6320 or submitted to the District Service Center, 7362 E Point Douglas Rd, Cottage Grove, MN 55016.

Open Enrollment Form

Applications

Families living outside of the SoWashCo Schools attendance boundary may apply for open enrollment. The window for applications is December 1, 2023 to January 15, 2024. Decision letters will be mailed out in mid-February. Applications submitted after Jan. 15, 2024 will receive a decision letter by mail within 45 days of receipt of the application.

School Capacity

Open enrollment for non-resident students will be set at a minimum of 1% and a maximum of 3%. The following schools are closed to additional open enrollment students due to capacity restraints:

• Bailey Elementary School
• Grey Cloud Elementary School
• Pine Hill Elementary School
• Red Rock Elementary School
• Cottage Grove Middle School
• Lake Middle School
• Oltman Middle School
• Woodbury Middle School
• East Ridge High School
• Park High School
• Woodbury High School

Grade Capacity

Schools and / or grades meeting or exceeding the thresholds for intra-district transfer considerations have also met the criteria for being closed to open enrollment.

To unenroll a student, a parent/guardian must contact either the office coordinator at the student's elementary school or guidance secretary at the student's middle or high school. They will start the withdrawal process.

Please contact 651-425-6230 to have a Family Census Form mailed to you to complete and return to the District Service Center, 7362 E Point Douglas Rd, Cottage Grove, MN 55016.

This will place your children on our district mailing lists to ensure all relevant information is shared with you. This data will remain confidential and will also be used to assist with district projections and needs.

Parents/guardians will enroll their child either online or by completing a paper form. Paper forms are available at the District Service Center, 7362 E Point Douglas Rd, Cottage Grove, MN 55016 and can be returned by emailing to Student Information Services at enroll@sowashco.org, faxing to 651-425-6320 or dropping it off at the District Service Center.

There is a question on the enrollment form (both online and paper form) where you can indicate if your child has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 plan.

Enroll Now 

Learn More About Special Education

Parents/guardians will enroll their child either online or can submit an enrollment form to the District Service Center through email, fax or drop it off. There is a language section on the enrollment form (both online and paper form) where families can indicate if a student may need to be assessed for English Learner (EL) services.

 Enroll Now 

Learn More About EL Services 

We welcome children ages four through five to participate in our fee-based Pre-K program.

Pre-K is located in most elementary schools and will help your child develop a passion for learning and prepare them for Kindergarten.

Learn More About Pre-K

Early Childhood Developmental Screening is a check of a child’s development, vision and hearing, growth, health history and immunizations.

• Screening is recommended when a child is three to four years old. 
• Screening is required prior to enrolling in our four-year-old Prekindergarten programs.
• Screening is free and takes approximately 45 minutes. A parent or legal guardian can stay with the child during the screening process.

Note: Early Childhood Screening does not mean your child is enrolled in a Pre-K program.

You can schedule an appointment with a SoWashCo Schools screening by calling 651-425-6636 or emailing screening@sowashco.org.

Learn More About Early Childhood Screening

Yes. Our early learning programs offer engaging, enriching and personalized experiences for all of our earlier learners from birth to age five.

Prekindergarten (Pre-K)

Prekindergarten is for four-year-olds prior to their year starting kindergarten. Children must be age four on or before Sept. 1. The fee-based program is located in most elementary schools and offers programs five days a week at a variety of times for your child to attend. 

Learn More About PRe-k

Preschool

Preschool provides various fee-based options for families including classes with a parent/child day, a child only experience, extended day, three through five-year-old mixed age classes or evening preschool options.

Learn More About Preschool

Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE)

Early childhood family education (ECFE) provides families with early school connections and parent resources and tools needed to provide the best possible environment for their child's learning and growth. The fee-based program is available for children from birth to age five.

Learn More About ECFE

Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)

Early childhood special education (ECSE) provides programs and services for young children with disabilities from birth to age five. ECSE services are provided throughout the district in a variety of locations and service models.

Learn More About ECSE

Enrollment can be filled out online. If you need a paper form or need assistance, please contact 651-425-6328. For additional assistance, please come to the District Service Center, 7362 E Point Douglas Rd, Cottage Grove, MN 55016.

Enroll Online

Children who are five years old on or before Sept. 1 are eligible to start kindergarten that school year. Information about kindergarten enrollment will be mailed to parents the winter prior to their child beginning school. Parents can then enroll their student in their boundary school.
 

Early Childhood Developmental Screening is a check of a child’s development, vision and hearing, growth, health history and immunizations.

• Screening is recommended when a child is three to four years old. 
• Minnesota state law requires children to be screened before or within 30 days of enrollment into kindergarten.
• Screening is also required prior to enrolling in our four-year-old Prekindergarten programs.
• Each screening is free and takes approximately 45 minutes and a parent or legal guardian can stay with the child during the screening process.

Note: Early Childhood Screening does not mean your child is enrolled in kindergarten.

You can schedule an appointment with a SoWashCo Schools screening by calling 651-425-6636 or emailing screening@sowashco.org.

Learn More

No, SoWashCo Schools offers full-day kindergarten at all of our elementary schools.

According to the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) full-day kindergarten provides a crucial opportunity for Minnesota’s younger learners to build upon their prekindergarten or other early learning experiences.

Full-day kindergarten helps to sustain the earlier gains made in students’ development of their cognitive, social, emotional and physical skills. Approximately 99% of Minnesota’s kindergarten students attend full-day kindergarten. View Minnesota Statutes, section 126C.05, Subdivision1(d) on funding full-day kindergarten.

Enrolling in Nuevas Fronteras Spanish Immersion Program

Due to the popularity of this program for incoming kindergartners, families must apply and be selected by a lottery the winter before they are set to begin school. Families can apply through the online enrollment process. The deadline to apply is the February prior to your child beginning school.

Learn More About NFSI

Enrolling in the Multiage Program at Valley Crossing Elementary 

The Multiage program is an option for families across South Washington County Schools. Due to the popularity of this program for incoming kindergartners, families must apply and be selected by a lottery. These determinations are made by space availability within the program. Families can apply through the online enrollment process. The deadline to apply is the February prior to your child beginning school.

Learn More About VCES Multiage Program

 If a child’s birth date falls on a date on or between Sept. 2 and Oct. 31, parents/legal guardians may request Early Entrance to Kindergarten. This process gathers information regarding the students academic, social and emotional readiness for kindergarten. Early Entrance will not be considered for a child that would be accelerated to the same grade as an older sibling.

If a parent or guardian would like to pursue Early Entrance they should contact Eileen McElrath, Talent Development and Advanced Academics Coordinator.

Applications will be available by March 1, 2022. The deadline to apply for 2022-23 is May 1, 2022.

Once the application is received, the Early Entrance Review Committee will schedule an evaluation for the child with a district licensed school psychologist at a cost of $200 to be paid by parents/legal guardians. (Scholarships are available for parents/legal guardians who qualify based on federal standards for free or reduced priced meal guidelines).  

Parents/legal guardians will be notified of the final decision in writing.

Learn More

Kids club is a fee-based child care program that supports learning and development before and/or after school, on non-school days and during the summer. The program is open to elementary students in grades K-5 at their school.

Learn More About Kids Club

Nuevas Fronteras Spanish Immersion Pathway

Openings that occur after the kindergarten year require the equivalent Spanish proficiency for the child and placement is dependent on space available in the program.

Learn More About NFSI

Valley Crossing Multiage Program

Students in first through fifth grade can also apply for intra-district transfer to take part in the program. These determinations are made by space availability within the program.

Learn More About VCES Multiage Program

If your child received gifted education services in their prior district, after enrolling your child in SoWashCo Schools, please send assessment results and any additional information used for placement to: Talent Development and Academic Achievement Services, 7362 E. Point Douglas Rd. S., Cottage Grove, MN 55016.

These assessment results may include a Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT), an Otis-Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT), a Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT), or an IQ test as well as achievement tests (such as MAP or state testing). The Talent Development and Academic Achievement team will review the information that you submit to determine appropriate instructional placement in SoWashCo Schools. Families will be contacted after the information has been reviewed. 

Learn More About Gifted Education

Kids club is a fee-based child care program that supports learning and development before and/or after school, on non-school days and during the summer. The program is open to elementary students in grades K-5 at their school.

Learn More About Kids Club

Students New to the District

Yes, you will need to enroll your child. Parents/guardians can complete enrollment online or come to the District Service Center, 7362 East Point Douglas Rd S, Cottage Grove, MN 55016, to obtain and / or complete a paper form. Enrollment forms translated in Spanish, Hmong, Chinese Mandarin, Vietnamese and Somali are also available.

Students Continuing Within the District

No, students will continue to their assigned school throughout their years at each level and no additional enrollment is needed. 

The district retains the right to assign non-resident (open enrolled) students to sites other than direct feeder schools when building transitions occur based on capacity and program.

Students New to the District

Yes, you will need to enroll your child. Parents/guardians can complete enrollment online or come to the District Service Center, 7362 East Point Douglas Rd S, Cottage Grove, MN 55016, to obtain and / or complete a paper form. Enrollment forms translated in Spanish, Hmong, Chinese Mandarin, Vietnamese and Somali are also available.

Students Continuing Within the District

No, students will continue to their assigned school throughout their years at each level and no additional enrollment is needed. 

The district retains the right to assign non-resident (open enrolled) students to sites other than direct feeder schools when building transitions occur based on capacity and program.

Students will register for high school classes during their prior school year and can work with their counselor to make sure they meet graduation requirements. 

Students That are New to the District

For students that are new to the district, please reach out to your high school for help registering for classes.