A Document Checklist for K-12 Online School Enrollment

August 3, 2023 byConnections Academy

3 min to read

A father is helping his dauther study for an online school

At Connections Academy®, we know that switching to a new school is a big decision. Whether you’re still weighing the benefits of online school or you’ve made the decision to enroll in online school, it’s a good idea to start gathering the documents you’ll need for K-12 enrollment. This will help you avoid any issues with the process that could delay your enrollment and affect the start of the next school year.

We developed a general list of documents from our own detailed, school-specific checklists to help you prepare for the enrollment process. While requirements vary by school and state, this list will give you an idea of where to start, what questions to ask your online school enrollment advisor, and whether you need extra time to obtain any missing documents.

K-12 Enrollment Requirements

The first step to answering the question, “How do I enroll my child in school online?” is to gather the required documents.

Do you need proof of age to enroll in online school?

Most K–12 online schools will require an official document confirming your student’s age. Most virtual schools will accept a copy of either an official birth certificate or a passport, but acceptable documentation varies by school.

Do you need to show proof of residence?

Some schools accept students from anywhere in a certain state for K-12 enrollment, while others may only serve students in a particular district or region. You may need to submit one or more documents that confirm you live in the area served. The acceptable documentation varies by school, but typically include:

A recent utility bill (gas, electric, water, etc.) that includes your name and service address
Mortgage statements or lease agreements
Property tax bill

The most efficient way to check what you need is to visit your school’s enroll page.

Does a student need to be immunized to attend online school?

Just like brick-and-mortar schools, many public online schools require proof of immunization or, where allowed by state law, a statement showing that your student is exempt from immunization for health or religious reasons. Common forms of proof accepted by online schools may include:

Immunization booklet
Official school record or written statement from the former school district
Written statement from a medical office that the required immunizations have been administered or that a required series is in progress
Healthcare provider or health department printout
Enrolling school’s Immunization Record or Statement of Exemption

A student and Learning Coach learn more about K-12 Enrollment.

Do you need a student’s academic records for online K-12 enrollment?

Because a certain number of prospective online school students have been homeschooled, your online school of choice may have forms designed specifically for homeschooled students. For example, with some variations by state, Connections Academy-supported schools provide a helpful form available to you in our enrollment portal, which we call a Prior Academic History Form.

If your student has previously attended public or private school, we may ask that you submit your student’s most recent report card if they’re entering grades K–9, or a transcript of all courses, grades, and credits attempted or completed if they’re entering grades 10–12. This is so we may offer a personalized curriculum.

What other documents might be requested to enroll in online school?

Depending on the state in which you live and your student’s individual circumstances, you may also be asked to provide, if available:

Custody order or statement of guardianship
A recent Individualized Education Program (IEP) and exit documentation
Gifted and talented documentation
State test scores
Health screening documentation

As a reminder, enrollment documentation and eligibility requirements vary by both school and state. But armed with this general list, you should be ready for a faster, less stressful enrollment process. If you’re still exploring online school for your child, learn more about the online school experience to help you make the right school choice for your family:

If you’re ready to get started at a Connections Academy school, check out our enrollment page to answer, “How do I enroll my child in online school?” You’ll find a school in your state and you can begin the enrollment process.