Perry High School is among the most densely populated schools in the Chandler Unified School District. Now, there are a little more than 2,500 students enrolled here and the numbers will get higher with passing years. One thing that is not necessarily looked at in these numbers is the amount of students who are open-enrolled in this school. As it stands now, Perry has 600 students who are open-enrolled.

“Arizona is an open enrollment state, which means that any incoming 9th grader is allowed to go to a school that is out of their boundaries. Provided they meet criteria set by the school district.” Principal Dan Serrano said. “We have the most open enrollments of any school in the district,”

What makes students from out of boundaries want to attend at Perry? According to U.S. News, Perry scores a 97% and an 86% in reading and math proficiencies, respectively.

“I think what attracts people most is the amount of spirit that comes into this school, the amount of educational opportunities, like we have so many AP classes and so many different career classes such as robotics and computer science and culinary,” Senior Benjamin Ladick said. “It’s just a really open a  beautiful community.”

“Anytime our kids out [at national conventions] it just adds to the reputation of the school. There’s a ton of talented kids at this school.” Serrano said.

Open enrollment is something that is available to kids who do not live in the set boundaries of a school. Example: a student wants to enroll at Perry, yet they live closer to Chandler High. They have the option of going to Perry by requesting open enrollment.

“The new student’s parent has to fill out an open enrollment application,” Counseling Secretary Catherine Hendon said. “If they are already attending in district, that’s all they need, is the application.”

The other requirements vary. Students who are enrolling from outside the district will need to submit their most recent grades. A first semester report card is required if the student is in eighth grade or a current transcript if said student has attended high school. Behavioral and attendance reports are also required from the previously attended school.

“It’s two-step process,” Hendon said. “It goes through the process of being reviewed here and at the district office. […] They receive a letter in the mail saying whether if they’ve been approved or denied.”

After this, the student will then have to be formally registered to be able to attend.

“Once you are admitted in open enrollment, you are a student. You have every right as kids that are not open enrollment,” Serrano said.