East Grand Rapids Public Schools

When enrolling a student into any Michigan public school district, the State School Aid Act, related Michigan Compiled Laws, and other state and federal requirements apply. Each district is responsible for verifying three things:

1. Parentage
2. A qualifying residence
3. Residency in the qualifying residence

1. PARENTAGE:

The person(s) legally in control, care, and custody of a minor child. The Missing Child Act (MCL 380.1135) requires verifying the identity and age of a minor child enrolling in a public school.

To establish parentage, the district requires:

A. Government-issued photo identification of the person(s) enrolling the student.
B. Certified birth certificate of the student(s) to be enrolled. If a certified birth certificate cannot be supplied at the time of enrollment, a notarized affidavit of parentage shall be supplied and a certified birth certificate must be provided to the district within 30 days.
C. Immunization documentation or Health Department approved vaccine waiver for each child to be enrolled.

D. Hearing & Vision Screening (K and 1st Gr. Only) - Proof of hearing & vision screening required before the first day of school. 
E. Additional documentation, such as a divorce decree or other official documents that specify custodial rights may be necessary.

2.  A QUALIFYING RESIDENCE: 

A residential dwelling that is either a single-family principal residence as recorded with the Kent County Assessor’s Office or a legal single-family residence that meets Michigan Treasury and local community requirements as a rental.

HOMEOWNERS

A. Proof of homeownership: If you currently own or have recently purchased a home in the district, the most recent property tax bill or Property Transfer Affidavit, in the name of the person seeking to enroll the student. (To qualify as a residence, the property must be declared as a principal residence in accordance with state laws and guidelines.)
B. If you have not yet purchased your home, but have a completed purchase agreement and closing date, the District Registrar can assist you.

RENTERS (Note: Rental of property in the East Grand Rapids Public School District must be for the purpose of a primary residence. Leasing a residence within the boundaries does not, solely, constitute living within the boundaries.)

A. A signed lease in the name of the person seeking to enroll the student. (In the case of a month-to-month lease, updated verification of the rental will be required upon request to our District Registrar, at enrollment@egrps.org. or delivered directly to the District Office.)
B. Landlord Statement Form

3. RESIDENCY IN THE QUALIFYING RESIDENCE:

Establishing that the qualifying residence is the primary residence of the enrolling student(s).

To establish residency in the qualifying residence, the district requires:

A. Current utility bill in the name of the person seeking to enroll the student at the EGRPS district address.
B. Two of the following items listed in the name of the person seeking to enroll the student at the EGRPS district address:
- Additional Utility Bill  - Cable Bill  - Cell Phone Bill  - Bank Statement  - Pay Stub  - Auto Loan/Lease

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Other Important Information to Know when Enrolling into East Grand Rapids Public Schools

All resident families enrolling into EGRPS should be aware of the Proof of Residency Guidelines posted here regarding enrollment, residency violations, and residency fraud (MCL 388.1606). All residency documentation for homeowners in the EGRPS district must be processed at the District Office by the District Registrar. *Placement in an elementary building will be made based on class size and availability, not necessarily on attendance area.

Proof of Residency Guidelines
In order to complete the enrollment process, the person seeking to enroll the student must reside in a dwelling that is located within the geographical boundaries of the East Grand Rapids Public School District. The following documentation will be required:

A. For homeowners, a current property tax statement or Property Transfer Affidavit in the name of the person seeking to enroll the student that indicates the property is their principal residence, together with a current utility bill and two other current bills/statements at the East Grand Rapids residential address in the name of the person enrolling the student.
B. For renters, a signed lease in the name of the person seeking to enroll the student, in a rental unit that complies with local licensing where applicable, together with a completed and signed Statement of Landlord Form, a current utility bill, and two other current bills/statements at the East Grand Rapids residential address in the name of the person enrolling the student. 

Leases are subject to review at the time of their expiration in accordance with this policy. Long-term leases may be reviewed at the discretion of EGRPS. Month-to-month lease extensions will be required to provide updated bills as verification of continued occupancy of the rental property upon request of EGRPS.

False Information with Respect to Residence
Should it be determined that a person has knowingly provided false information to the East Grand Rapids Public School District in order to permit a child to enroll as a resident student, the following shall apply:

A. The child will be immediately disenrolled from the East Grand Rapids Public School District.
B. The parent(s)/legal guardian(s) shall be responsible for any and all costs incurred by East Grand Rapids Public Schools in its investigation of the particular residency issue, including attorney fees.
C. East Grand Rapids Public Schools will refer for prosecution any violation of its residency requirements and/or any false statements made with respect to residency for purpose of enrollment.
D. Should the student subsequently seek to enroll in the East Grand Rapids Public School District, after establishing a bona fide residence, the student will be denied the opportunity to participate in athletic extra-curricular activities (high school) for a period of one (1) school year.

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