The Herald-News reports that the Dayton City School Board has officially approved the second and final reading of Policy 6.204: Attendance of Non-Resident Students. The policy was approved on April 16, 2026, and took effect immediately. It introduces a strategic plan to manage student enrollment as the PreK–8 building approaches maximum capacity.

The update applies only to students living outside the city limits. Enrollment for all City of Dayton residents remains secure and unaffected by the new policy; they continue to have guaranteed access without tuition.

For the 2026–2027 school year, the district is prioritizing the Pre-K and Kindergarten pipeline. Registration is currently open for the income-based Pre-K program. Kindergarten seats will first be filled by City of Dayton residents, with any remaining spots allocated to non-resident applicants through a random drawing.

Non-resident applications will be processed according to priority tiers to ensure fairness as capacity limits are reached: Tier 2 for returning non-resident students currently enrolled and in good standing; Tier 3 for siblings of current non-resident students in good standing; and Tier 4 for all other new non-resident applicants. Due to high enrollment, Grades 1–8 have reached capacity for new Tier 4 families, and those applicants will be placed on a waitlist.

The district will continue to monitor enrollment and building capacity annually. The primary deadline for non-resident status notification is June 15, with enrollment officially closing on July 22. Applications submitted between those dates will only be considered if specific grade-level spots remain available.

Official registration for the 2026–2027 school year will take place on April 27 and April 28 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Cafetorium Hive. Non-resident tuition has been updated to $500 for the first student, $250 for each additional sibling, with a $1,500 maximum per family. Families may pay in full at the beginning of the year or in two equal semester installments.

Superintendent Trish Newsom stated, “Our growth is a testament to the success of our students. By carefully managing our capacity, we ensure every child has the space and resources to reach our motto: Together We Dream, Believe, Lead, and Achieve.”