Enrollment

WELCOME TO SPRING LAKE!

To start, please verify your address is within Spring Lake Public Schools’ boundary.

• If you would like to enroll your student in our PreK programming, please click on the "PreK" tab for more information.
• If you would like to enroll your Resident Kindergarten student, please click on the "Kindergarten" tab for more information.
• If your student is not a resident of our district, no matter the student's age, please click on the "Non-Resident" tab for School of Choice information.

RESIDENT ENROLLMENT

We look forward to meeting your family!  If you are a resident please contact the office of the building which contains the grade level your student will attend.

Spring Lake High School / Alternative Education (Grades 9 - 12) – 616.846.5505
Spring Lake Middle School (Grades 7 - 8) – 616.846.5502
Spring Lake Intermediate School (Grades 5 - 6) – 616.846.6845
Holmes Elementary (Grades PreK - 4)– 616.846.5504
Jeffers Elementary (Grades PreK - 4) – 616.846.5503

After contacting the building office, you will be provided a link to the registration form via email.

The following items must be provided before the enrollment process can be completed:

1. Proof of Residence– (First, double check your address with us. You might not be in our district even though the city is Spring Lake.) Two pieces of documentation are required to verify that you live in the school district unless you have been granted Non-Resident status. Acceptable documents include a mortgage document, sales agreement, rental agreement, property tax document, or utility bill.
2. Transcript of Grades (for High School students)– Please obtain an unofficial copy of a transcript and grades earned to date, if applicable.
3. Immunization Records– Current immunization record from your student's physician or health department is required.
4. Birth Certificate– A copy of the birth certificate will be required in the enrollment process. Guardianship papers, adoption certificate, or legal name change will need to be proven, if applicable.
5. Special Education– If your child has been receiving special education services, a copy of the most recent IEP is essential.

 

QUESTIONS?

Please contact us at 616-846-5500.

 

NON-RESIDENT/SCHOOLS OF CHOICE ENROLLMENT

If you live outside of the district and are considering applying for Schools of Choice, Spring Lake participates in both the Section 105 and 105c Schools of Choice state plans and will accept limited enrollment for all grade levels as space allows.  

• The 2025-2026 Schools of Choice application will be available here from May 7, 2025 through May 28, 2025.
• The number of available spots for each grade level will be posted on this page in late April 2025.

Please review these considerations and requirements.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR PARENTS/STUDENTS

• We agree with Michigan lawmakers that siblings should be kept together in a single school district whenever possible.  As a result, siblings of current non-resident students may receive preference in filling district openings.

• SLPS is not required to provide transportation for Schools of Choice students under either program.  For more information, please visit our Transportation Department page.
• The Michigan High School Athletic Association permits immediate eligibility to school of choice students ONLY in sports they did not participate in during the previous academic year if they meet the previous academic credit record requirements. 
• When enrolling a student, you are enrolling into the district; the district will determine school placement in regard to our elementary schools.

SECTION 105 &105C CHOICE PROGRAMS

Non-resident students residing in districts within the OAISD and the contiguous boundaries of the OAISD (Muskegon, Kent and Allegan ISDs) may apply for enrollment to SLPS under the timeline and guidelines listed on this page.

QUESTIONS?

Please contact us at 616-846-5500.

• Openings in each grade level vary from year-to-year and some grades may not have any available spots.
• If the district receives more applications than openings, a random drawing will take place after the application period has closed.
• Kindergarten applicants are requested to attend Kindergarten screening – date to be determined.
• Parents will be notified of acceptance or non-acceptance during the month of June.  Parents are required to confirm acceptance with SLPS within two weeks of notification.
• Students who are not accepted will be placed on a waiting list in the order their names were drawn and notified of openings if a spot should become available, but no later than the first week of school.
• As stated above, siblings of current non-resident students will receive preference if space allows.
• Students who have been suspended within the past two years or have been expelled from any school district may be excluded.
• A written agreement between the resident district and SLPS must be in place for students who receive special education services or programs as to the responsibility of payment for the added cost of required services or programs for the student.  Enrollment may be denied if an acceptable agreement cannot be obtained from the resident district.
• 105 and 105c are lottery-oriented systems, not first-come, first-served ones.  Only one application may be submitted per student.
• Once a student is accepted, annual re-application is not required.

KINDERGARTEN ENROLLMENT 2025-2026

Begin your student's enrollment process by completing this 2025-2026 Kindergarten Enrollment Form. Beginning in April, families who have completed the Kindergarten Enrollment Form will be contacted to schedule a Kindergarten screening on June 9 or June 10.

The following documentation is required for your student to begin school:  

• Child's Birth Certificate
• Parent/Guardian Driver's License or State Issued ID Card
• Student's Immunization Records -  Immunization record must be an official copy signed/stamped by a healthcare provider or the health department. 
• Proof of Residency -- Two of the following must be presented:
  • Property tax bill
  • Mortgage document
  • Insurance statement/declaration
  • Utility bill - water, sewer, gas, electric
  • Signed Purchase Agreement with occupancy date or signed Lease Agreement with property owner if renting
• Guardianship - (if applicable) Complete, current legal court documents must be presented at the time of registration 
• Health Appraisal Form - A copy of the MDHHS Health Appraisal Form, including an Oral Health Screening and Vision & Hearing Screening, is REQUIRED for all Kindergarten students

PLEASE NOTE: Spring Lake Public Schools determines a student's building placement for the elementary school grade levels.

Holmes Elementary
Karen Teays at kteays@springlakeschools.org (preferred)
or phone 616-846-5504

Jeffers Elementary
Nikki Theune at ntheune@springlakeschools.org (preferred)
or phone 616-846-5503

If you live outside the SLPS district, please review the Non-Resident tab first for more information about Schools of Choice.

 

PRESCHOOL ENROLLMENT 2025-2026

Our PreK program offers spots for families in our community through the GSRP (Great Start Readiness Program, a state-funded preschool). 

To enroll in our program your child must be 4 years old by December 1st, 2025. 

For questions, please call Mrs. Nikki Theune at 616.846.5503 or Mrs. Karen Teays at 616.846.5504.

Click here for the MI Early Childhood Connect portal.

Want to understand more about the program? Read on.What is it? Great Start Readiness is a state-funded preschool program for children who are 4 years old. This high-quality program encourages the development of children to prepare them for successful entry into Kindergarten using developmentally appropriate practices.

Qualifications? Priority is given to families who reside in the Spring Lake Public Schools district. Children must be 4 year old by December 1 of the current school year with priority given to children with birthdays on or before September 1.

Cost? Free

Locations? Both Holmes and Jeffers Elementary Schools

Times? They are full day sessions, Monday - Thursday, with each school starting at slightly different times 

Meals? A nutritious breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack are provided.

Transportation? Available on an as needed basis. Please contact our transportation department here.

How to apply? Please complete this MI Early Childhood Connect Form. After completion of the form, one of our offices will contact you to begin enrollment.

How will I know I'm accepted? The governor has to approve the state budget.  Once this is done for the 25-26 school year, the enrollment process can begin.  This is typically in late April/early May. You will be contacted by a school administrative assistant about enrollment acceptance or denial.

Will I need certain documents? Yes, you will need your child's certified birth certificate, a 2023 tax statement as a proof of income, an up-to-date immunization record, and two utility bills showing proof of residency.

 

 

We cannot wait to share our exceptional facilities with you. Spring Lake Public Schools continues to be supported by its community with both the Laker Athletic Facility and the safe & secure entry at the high school set to open in August 2025. 

Please sign up to take a tour here. 

Please note: Tours are limited as we like to offer school tours during the school day, so visitors can feel the positive culture throughout the schools. If you find a date is filled, please reach out to David Theune at dtheune@springlakeschools.org.

Additionally, we hope to offer virtual tours here in the coming months. Stay tuned!

How do I enroll my child in Spring Lake Public Schools?

To enroll your child, please select the tab above that applies to your student's enrollment.

• If you are a resident, you may begin the enrollment process now for all levels: PreK, Kindergarten, and grades 1 through 12.

  • PreK and Kindergarten grade levels require initial forms found by clicking the appropriate tab above.

  • The enrollment process for grades 1 through 12 begins with calling the office of the building for your student's grade level. You can find phone numbers for our buildings at the bottom of this page.

• If you are a non-resident, please click the Non-Resident tab above. There, you can learn about the School of Choice application window in May. 

You are always welcome to call our main office for assistance at 616.846.5500.

What documents are required for enrollment?

You will need to provide proof of residency, your child's birth certificate, immunization records, and previous school records, if applicable. It is possible more will be required based on individual circumstances.

What is the age requirement for kindergarten enrollment?

• Children must be 4 years old by December 1, 2025 to be eligible for PreK enrollment. 
• Children must be 5 years old by September 1, 2025 to be eligible for Kindergarten enrollment.

Can I enroll my child if we live outside the district boundaries?

Yes, we offer Non-Resident enrollment for students outside the district on an application basis. You will find details of this process on the Non-Resident tab on this webpage.

What is the process for transferring from another school?

To transfer your child, you will need to complete the enrollment process. You can begin by clicking the appropriate tab above.

Are there any fees associated with enrollment?

There are no fees for enrolling at Spring Lake Public Schools; however, certain programs or activities may have associated costs.

Can I take a tour of the facilities?

Yes, you can. We cannot wait to share our facilities with you. We do keep spots limited as we like to offer school tours during the school day so you can feel the positive culture throughout the schools. To sign up for our limited tours, click here.

Can I select either elementary building as my student's school?

For resident students, your home address will determine the elementary school your child attends. For those students who are accepted through the School of Choice process, elementary building placement is determined by available space at each building.

What if my child requires special education services?

We provide a range of support services for students with special needs. Please inform us during the enrollment process so we can arrange appropriate accommodations.

Where can I find information about transportation for enrolled students?

Transportation details, including bus routes and schedules, can be found on our website under the transportation section.

Who can I contact if I have more questions about enrollment?

Spring Lake Public Schools Central Office -- 616.846.5500
Spring Lake High School / Alternative Education (Grades 9 - 12) – 616.846.5505
Spring Lake Middle School (Grades 7 - 8) – 616.846.5502
Spring Lake Intermediate School (Grades 5 - 6) – 616.846.6845
Holmes Elementary (Grades PreK - 4)– 616.846.5504
Jeffers Elementary (Grades PreK - 4) – 616.846.5503