School Choice at Gentry Public Schools

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Join one of Arkansas' Fastest Growing Districts - Find Out Why!

🏫 Gentry Public Schools warmly welcomes families who are exploring the best educational fit for their children. 🎒 If you live outside our district boundaries, Arkansas Public School Choice may offer an opportunity to join the Gentry family. 🌟 We know the process can feel overwhelming at times, and we want you to know you’re not alone. 🤝 If anything on this page is confusing or you simply have questions, please reach out using the contact information below. 📞✉️ Our team is happy to walk you through each step and can even provide 📄 paper copies of the application if that’s easier for you.

👉 If you’re ready to apply, you can get started by clicking the buttons to the right. ⬇️ Or, scroll down to learn more about School Choice and discover why so many families choose Gentry. 🎓✨ We’re here to help and would love the opportunity to serve your family.

The Gentry Difference

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🎓 What Is Arkansas Public School Choice?

Arkansas Public School Choice allows students in kindergarten through grade 12 to attend a public school district other than the one in which they live, subject to state law and district capacity. 📚 This option is available to families seeking the academic programs, culture, and community offered by Gentry Public Schools. 🌟 Scroll to the bottom to find out why you should choose Gentry!

📅 Application Window

School Choice applications are accepted annually from January 1 through June 1.

⚠️ Applications submitted before January 1 or after June 1 will not be accepted.

🪖 Families of uniformed service members are exempt from the application deadline.

👤 Who Can Apply?

Students in grades K–12
Students who reside outside the Gentry Public Schools attendance area
Applicants who meet all requirements of the Arkansas Public School Choice Act

📌 Key Terms

Resident District: The school district where the student lives
Nonresident District: A school district outside the student’s resident district
Residence: A permanent place of living, maintained primarily for reasons other than school

📝 How to Apply

Parents or guardians must complete a School Choice transfer application for the upcoming school year. Please be sure to include:

Student’s grade level for the next school year
Full home address
Current phone number

📨 Applications may be submitted electronically or through the Gentry Public Schools Administration Office.

🧐 Application Review & Notification

Beginning January 1, the Superintendent will review all properly submitted School Choice applications. 🔗 An application link is at the top of this page.

📬 Families will receive written notification within 15 calendar days of the District’s decision. For transfers into Gentry Public Schools, notification will be sent to both the parent or guardian and the student’s resident district.

📞 Contact Us

We are here to help! 🤝 Don’t hesitate to reach out—we can walk you through the process.

Dwana Haro
Gentry Public Schools
201 S. Giles Ave
Gentry, AR 72734
✉️ dharo@gentrypioneers.com
📞 479-736-2253, Extension 5008

Athletics Eligibility Notice:
School choice is a process for student admission only. Athletic participation and eligibility are governed separately by the Arkansas Activities Association (AAA) and are determined by AAA rules and guidelines, not by school choice approval. Approval for school choice does not guarantee athletic eligibility. Families with questions about athletic participation should contact Athletic Director Brent Hester at bhester@gentrypioneers.com or 479-736-2253, ext. 5011, for accurate, up-to-date guidance.

ℹ️ Additional Information

Arkansas Public School Choice is governed by the Public School Choice Act of 2015. For statewide information, families may contact:

🏛️ Arkansas Department of Education
📂 Office of School Choice and Parent Empowerment
📞 501-683-1876
✉️ ade.efa@ade.arkansas.gov

Why Gentry?

📊 Gentry Public Schools is a B-rated district with B-rated schools, placing us among just 37% of districts statewide to earn a B—an achievement that reflects strong academics and real results. 🎓

Our high school is recognized in the top 10% statewide for academic growth, and Gentry is one of the very few districts in Northwest Arkansas—and across the state—experiencing enrollment growth, ranking #1 in percentage growth in NWA and #2 statewide over the past three years as more families choose what we offer. 🌟📈

🏫 Our students benefit from strong facilities with current expansions underway, along with champion athletic teams and award-winning extracurricular programs that support the whole child. 🏅

From championship and award-winning extracurricular options to a wide range of competitive and creative programs, students have opportunities to excel, belong, and be proud of where they learn.

🛠️ Hands-on or head-first into college—your path, your choice. 🚀 Want to jump straight into the workforce? Gentry High School offers 14 Career & Technical Education pathways, including high-demand fields like Healthcare, Automotive, Diesel Technology, Business, and Education, with opportunities to earn industry-recognized certifications employers value.🎓 College more your thing? Students can earn up to 60 college credit hours—the equivalent of an associate degree—through our concurrent credit program, all while staying on our high school campus.🌟 Whether students are career-bound, college-bound, or both, Gentry provides real options and a strong head start for what’s next.

Just as important, we set ourselves apart through a strong customer-service mindset—leading with kindness, responsiveness, and clear, consistent communication—so families always feel welcomed, informed, and heard. 🤝

Gentry offers a small-town feel with big opportunities, conveniently located near larger communities while maintaining a close-knit, supportive environment. 🏡 Families are noticing—and joining—Gentry Public Schools as the place where students are known, supported, and prepared to succeed. Explore more of our "why" below! 🔍✨