Buzzing through the halls of Perry, any student is observant of the overcrowding of an ever growing school. Shoulder to shoulder, the clumps of students anxiously rushing to their next class is slowed by the limited room. What many may not realize is the majority of Pumas are in boundaries, however, several are here as a result of open enrollment.

Arizona is one of the few states which has an open enrollment policy. As defined by Arizona School Choice, “Arizona state law allows students to apply for admission to any public school, based on available classroom space.” When Perry is built for 2800 and we are slowly creeping up to 3200 students, when will the school draw the line?

The class of 2017 has 939 students and the class of 2018 has 827 students. Both of these classes surpassed expectations, and were the largest that Perry has enrolled. Assistant Principal Joe Greene estimates of the total student body, fifteen percent are open enrollment students.

A hurdle that must be overcame regarding the out of boundary students is the renewal of all documents every year. To be eligible to stay in the district, the open enrollment form must be resubmitted every year the student intends to stay at the school and in the Chandler district.

“Open enrollment numbers for next year haven’t really peaked [because] it is too early…” Principal Dan Serrano states about the upcoming school year, “I anticipate we will continue to get a lot…from the Higley school district and the Gilbert district which is just down the road.”

With hundreds of prospective students, signing the “golden ticket” that can determine their educational future, in Chandler Unified School District and beyond. Thanks to the laws in Arizona, incoming individuals can diversify the campus and have access to a school with an A plus education and innovative ideas.