Click HERE for PDF version of the May 2026 APS Superintendent
5.7.26
Inter-District Transfer and School of Choice-
What is the Difference? And Which One is for Me?
An Inter-District Transfer allows families who reside within the Alpena Public Schools (APS) boundary to request that their student attend an APS building other than their assigned neighborhood school. For example, a family living in the Ella White boundary may apply for their student to attend Besser Elementary.
Process & Timeline
The transfer window is the only time requests are accepted for the upcoming school year.
Application Period: Families may pick up and submit transfer requests starting now through July 24, 2026.
Review: All applications are sent to the Superintendent for final determination.
Notification: Decisions will be communicated to families during the week following the deadline.
Strict Deadline: No transfer requests will be accepted after July 24, 2026, until the following school year.
Approval: While APS will do its best to accommodate inter-district requests, approval of requests is not guaranteed.
Schools of Choice is the enrollment process for families who do not reside within the Alpena Public Schools boundary lines but wish to have their students attend an APS school.
Process & Timeline
If you live outside the district and want to enroll in APS, you must follow the formal application and review process.
Application Window: The window to apply will open soon. While an additional window typically opens in mid-August, families are encouraged to apply now to secure a determination before the school year begins.
Submission: Families must complete a Schools of Choice application and submit it for district review.
Notification: Once the application is processed, the district will contact the family with a final enrollment decision.
Placement: Elementary enrollment is granted to the district, not to a specific building. While APS will do its best to accommodate school preferences, placement in a specific school cannot be guaranteed.
Which process should I use?
Inter-District Transfer: For current APS residents who want to switch to a different APS building.
Schools of Choice: For families living outside the APS district boundaries who want to enroll in APS.
Transportation to and From Childcare
As part of our Family and Community Partnership Strategic Plan goal, I am excited to share that in the 2026-27 school year, we will provide new transportation services for our families who utilize our local daycare centers.
APS will now provide transportation to and from the daycare centers and elementary schools listed below:
The following transportation services will be available for elementary students:
Alpena Child Development Center: Servicing Besser, Ella White, and Lincoln.
Scribbles and Giggles: Servicing Besser and Hinks.
Totally Kids: Servicing Ella White
Sunrise Daycare: Servicing Ella White.
Boys and Girls Club Transportation
Busing will also be provided to the Boys and Girls Club from Besser, Ella White, and Lincoln.
Interested families will need to contact transportation at 989-358-5792 to enroll for services. We hope this addition to our services eases scheduling and transportation concerns and provides peace of mind for our students and families.
Snow Day Make-Up
We still do not know what the last day of school will be this year. We are awaiting guidance from the state legislature regarding the snow day makeup requirements. What we do know is that May 22nd is now scheduled as a full day for students and staff. Any days that we need to make up beyond this day would be added to the end of the currently scheduled last day of June 10th.