Open Enrollment Information for non-resident students
Open Enrollment is the public-school program that allows parents to apply for their children to attend public school in a school district other than the one in which they reside.
Once an open enrollment application period has closed, applications will not be accepted by the School District of South Milwaukee for any reason.
However, applications may be made through the Department of Public Instruction. Visit the DPI Open Enrollment website for more details.
Students who are attending because they submitted an open enrollment application and were accepted
If you are currently attending school in the South Milwaukee School District through the Open Enrollment program, you DO NOT need to re-apply.
Students who currently attend an SDSM school but have moved out of the city
If you are currently attending school in the South Milwaukee School District through a Tuition Waiver because you recently moved, or you recently moved and did not apply for a Tuition Waiver, you need to apply for Open Enrollment.
The School Board has guaranteed Open Enrollment status to all currently enrolled students, in addition to the new placement numbers listed below. However, you need to actually apply through Open Enrollment to continue attending here.
Already Been Accepted Through the Open Enrollment Process?
Families who have completed the Open Enrollment process and have received a letter from the School District of South Milwaukee should bring in their student's birth certificate to 901 15th Ave to initiate the registration process.
Open Enrollment Seats
In January of each year, the South Milwaukee School Board approves seats for Open Enrollment for the next school year.
Open Enrollment Checklist
1. Apply to the Department of Public Instruction (you can choose up to 3 districts)
2. Schedule a tour of one of our schools by calling 414-766-5162
3. Check out our #SMWay in the Classroom Playlist to get an idea what our school culture is like.
4. Read about our students and staff here.
5. Get ready for a great new experience in a school system that puts the student first!
Contact Us
Seats Available
Open Enrollment Seats for 2026-27
| Grade | Number of Seats |
| 4K | 3 |
| 5K | 8 |
| 1st | 6 |
| 3rd |
6 |
| 4th | 8 |
| 5th | 5 |
| 6th | 11 |
| 7th | 12 |
| 9th | 24 |
| Grades not listed have 0 available seats |
Learn about our schools!
STATEMENT OF NON-DISCRIMINATION
The School District of South Milwaukee is committed to providing equal educational opportunities for all district students and to provide a learning and working environment free of discrimination based on a protected class of sex, race, religion, national origin, color, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation or physical, mental, emotional, or learning disability or handicap.
No student may be denied admission to any school in this district or be denied participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be discriminated against in any curricular, extracurricular, student services, recreational, or other programs or activities on the basis of the protected classes listed above.
If any student believes that they have been discriminated against based on an above category the student should first attempt to resolve the situation through the building Principal or Associate Principal. Formal written complaints may be directed to Jennifer Sielaff, Director of Personnel, Administrative & Legal Services, 901 15th Avenue, South Milwaukee, WI 53172, 414-766-5000