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Eligibility Requirements
You must meet specific state and program requirements to attend Michigan Connections Academy and Michigan Fusion Academy. Student eligibility requirements in Michigan are determined by the Michigan Legislature and the Michigan Board of Education. Michigan Connections Academy and Michigan Fusion Academy are authorized by the Ferris State University Charter Schools Office.
Before enrolling, review the following eligibility requirements carefully to determine whether your student(s) is eligible to participate. Michigan Connections Academy is currently offering enrollment in grades K–12. Michigan Fusion Academy is currently offering enrollment in grades 9–12 for students who left school prior to graduation. Eligibility requirements are the same for both Michigan Connections Academy and Michigan Fusion Academy.
Note: Students who are currently expelled are not eligible for enrollment.
Age Limitations
- Kindergarten: Any student enrolling in kindergarten must be five (5) years old on or before December 1 to be eligible for 1st Semester enrollment or by March 1 for 2nd Semester enrollment in Michigan Connections Academy.
- First Grade: Any student enrolling in first grade must be six (6) years old on or before December 1 to be eligible for enrollment in Michigan Connections Academy.
- Maximum Age: A student identified in the Michigan student data system as having dropped out of school but who will not be 20 prior to September 1 is eligible to enroll in Michigan Fusion Academy.
Required Documents
Please provide a copy of the following document for every student to verify age eligibility. To avoid unnecessary delays, provide a copy of this document along with your enrollment documents.
- official birth certificate
Geographical Limitations
You must reside in the state of Michigan and provide acceptable proof of residency to be eligible for enrollment in Michigan Connections Academy.
Required Documents
A copy of one of the following documents must be provided to verify your legal residence. If you do not have any of these documents, please contact the Enrollment Team to discuss acceptable alternatives.
- gas, electric, or water bill from the last 60 days that includes your name and service address
- mortgage or rent receipts
- property tax bills
- voter registration
- valid Michigan driver’s license
Immunizations
All Michigan Connections Academy students must provide a certificate of immunization obtained from and signed by health care provider.
See Michigan school immunization requirements.
Medical and Personal Exemptions
Michigan allows for medical or personal exemptions. For an immunization exemption submit one of the following forms. Both forms are available in the Virtual Library.
- Medical exemption: Submit the Medical Contraindication form signed by a physician.
- Personal exemption: Submit the Immunization Waiver form signed by the parent or legal guardian.
Prior Public Schooling Limitations
There are no prior schooling limitations. Any age-eligible public, private or home schooled student may enroll in Michigan Connections Academy.
Returning Dropouts: Any student identified in the Michigan student data system as having dropped out of school may only attend Fusion Academy of Michigan. They cannot attend Michigan Connections Academy.
Other Documentation
You may need to provide additional documentation if any of the following circumstances apply:
- Custody order: If your legal guardianship is determined by a court order, please submit a copy of the order.
- Gifted evaluation: If you are requesting enrollment in a course that is ahead of or behind your student's age-based grade level or you are requesting placement in a Gifted course, an Academic Services Counselor will contact you to request a report card, Prior Academic History Form, and/or state test scores.
- IEP or 504 plan: If your student has an IEP or a 504 plan, providing a copy of the plan and Multi-disciplinary Evaluation Team Report (MET) will speed your student's proper course placement.
Return to Michigan Connections Academy enrollment instructions.