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Enrollment

Welcome to Emporia USD 253

If you are new or returning to Emporia Public Schools, Welcome! We are happy to answer any questions you may have during the enrollment process. Call us at 620-341-2396 or email us at community.relations@usd253.net.

Emporia Public Schools proudly serves and educates more than 4,300 students who live in the Emporia community.  The district is made up of 1 early learning center for 3 & 4 year old students, 6 elementary schools, 1 middle school (6-8), 1 high school, and 1 alternative learning center.

New Students:

New students, meaning those students who are entirely new to the district or those who are returning to USD 253 after having transferred out, must enroll in person in the Enrollment Office at Mary Herbert Education Center. To streamline the new student enrollment process, please complete the appropriate pre-registration form listed below. All new students regardless of whether they are returning to USD 253  after having transferred out or whether their parent/caregiver has an established Parent Portal account, must complete the pre-registration form.

Schedule a School Tour

We are located at 1700 W. 7th Avenue.
Our hours are Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Enrollment/Confirmation Process for Currently Enrolled USD 253 Students

On December 13, 2023, policy JBCC, Enrollment of Nonresident Students, was approved by the USD 253 Board of Education. As a result of this new policy, the district is required to publish the number of open classroom seats available to nonresident students.  To accommodate this policy, we made adjustments to our enrollment procedures and timelines. 

With that in mind, all students currently in K - 11th grade will automatically be enrolled for the 2024-2025 school year at Emporia Public Schools.  Parents and caregivers will only need to provide the district with updates or changes from their student’s last enrollment. Please stay tuned for further communication regarding procedures, deadlines, and resources to assist you in navigating these changes.

If you are new or are returning to the district and have any immediate questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Enrollment Office by calling 620-341-2396.

2024-2025 New Student Pre-Registration Forms

In-District Transfer Request

Requests to attend an attendance center at another Emporia neighborhood school (in-district) may be considered. In-district transfer requests must be approved by both the boundary school principal and the receiving school principal. A variety of factors will be reviewed to determine if a student’s request to transfer will be approved.  For a student to be considered for a transfer of attendance for the current school year, please contact the principal of your student's current school.

Elementary School Boundaries

Map of Elementary School Boundaries

Elementary School Boundaries, City View

City map view of elementary school boundaries

Out-of-District Transfer Requests

If a parent desires his/her child to attend an attendance center other than the attendance center in the district in which the family resides, an out-of-district transfer of attendance request must be submitted to the office of Student and Family Resources between June 1 to June 30. All transfer requests are considered on an individual student basis and, if approved, will be granted for the entire time the family wishes to be part of the school district. Transportation to the school to which a student is transferred is a responsibility of the parents. Notification of out of district acceptance will be provided by July 15. Please contact the enrollment office if you have questions by calling 620-341-2396. 

 

Guidelines FOr Transfer of Attendance Center - English Guidelines for Transfer of Attendance Center - Spanish  

 

Nonresident Enrollment Capacity

Board policy JBCC, adopted in November 2023, states that on or before May 1 of each year, recommendations concerning capacity and student-to-teacher ratios are presented to the board for adoption or modification.  The board shall determine, for each grade level in each school building of the school district for the next succeeding year, the following:

  • capacity based on the study conducted by the superintendent or the superintendent's designee;
  • the number of students expected to attend school in the school district; and
  • the number of open seats available to nonresidents at each grade, building, and program level.

The proposed capacities and student-teacher ratios were developed based on the current number of students, the current number of teachers, and current practices of class size. Emporia has historically worked to maintain lower class sizes compared to most school districts of similar size.  This recommendation follows that practice.

In-district transfers within elementary schools will also follow the policy and capacity guidelines.  Decisions on in-district transfers will be made before May 30th to allow the district time to publish the remaining open spots to meet the June 1st deadline as outlined by the policy.

Required Documents for Enrollment

The following information is required for new students and must be submitted within 30 days of enrollment. Documents can be submitted by contacting your students school or by emailing community.relations@usd253.net:

  • Birth certificate – kindergarten students must be 5 years old on or before August 31
  • Immunization records
  • Physical exam (within 12 months of school entry for kindergarten/anytime during school career for older students)
  • Student records from the previous school (grade 1 and above)

Additional Enrollment Documents

Jones Early Learning Center

Inclusive Play Empowers Successful Learning

At our core, we are committed to creating an environment that empowers all young children to become successful and socially competent learners through the power of play-based learning.

Collaborative Commitment to Student Success

  • Create environments that foster strong relationships between students, staff and families.
  • Implement evidence-based strategies that support children’s development and success.
  • Nurture children’s learning through play and curiosity.

Six Neighborhood Elementary Schools

A Welcoming Culture of Learning for All Students

Emporia elementary schools reflect the diverse neighborhoods that make up our great community. Trusted teachers empower and guide students to build their confidence to grow academically and personally.

Forming Relationships and Building Academic Skills

  • Small class sizes with a focus on personalized instruction.
  • Hands-on experiential learning.
  • Build trust with teachers through meaningful interactions.
Students walking into a school

Emporia Middle School

Home of the Junior Spartans

Prepare and Empower Our Students for Life

Junior Spartans are inspired to achieve their goals, and engage in their classroom and in our community. Students are supported by dedicated teachers and staff in a safe, secure learning environment – ready to take on the next four years of high school and beyond.

Supportive and Secure Space for Growth

  • Inspire lifelong learning and positive contributions to society.
  • Excel academically and personally with focused educational pathways.
  • Support students to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.

Emporia High School

Home of the Spartans

Spartans Grow In and Out of the Classroom

Students collaborate and engage in learning opportunities within Emporia High School pathways and technical college, university, and business partners to pursue excellence in our rapidly changing, multicultural society.

We Engage, We Empower, We Inspire!

  • Spartan graduates excel academically and personally with 91.40% of seniors graduating.
  • The Spartan school community is committed to student success at all levels and interests.
  • Prepare Spartans for success in the rapidly changing workforce.

Flint Hills Learning Center

Personalized and Authentic Learning Opportunities

Our learning community gains the skills they need to succeed in life by removing barriers to education. Students are offered opportunities to learn online or in-person to earn high school credits and further their education. A variety of courses are also offered to support English language acquisition.

Contact Student & Family Resources Office

Mary Herbert Education Center Room 217
1700 W 7th Ave.
PO Box 1008
Emporia, KS 66801

Phone: 620-341-2396
Fax: 620-341-2205

Carmen Pinon

Student and Family Services Secretary
Mary Herbert Education Center

Heather Wagner

Student & Family Resource Specialist
Emporia High School, Mary Herbert Education Center

Patricia Saenz-Reyes

Migrant Student & Family Resource Specialist
Mary Herbert Education Center

Additional Resources