An applicant for kindergarten must be five years old by midnight August 31 of the year of enrollment. An applicant for first grade must be six years old by midnight August 31 of the year of enrollment.

An applicant for enrollment must:

• Complete and submit a student application form. Complete and submit a family commitment and consent form.
• If applicable, request the applicant's previous school to send a current transcript of grades and other testing.
• Include certification as required by state law from a licensed physician or authorized representative of the North Dakota Department of Health and Consolidated Laboratories that the student has received immunization against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, measles, rubella, mumps & poliomyelitis and chicken pox.
• Submit an enrollment fee of seventy-five dollars. (fee is non-refundable)

An interview of each applicant and the applicant's parents or guardian may occur with the principal, classroom teacher and possibly a board member after registration application materials are submitted and before application is accepted.

Applicants receive consideration on a first-come, first-serve basis. Each student who applies for enrollment will be accepted if it is determined that the school can accommodate the needs of that student or if suitable arrangements can be made to accommodate the needs of the student. Within this general guideline, all students that apply will be enrolled, subject to enrollment capacity and a preference given to children of communicant members of congregations of the Lutheran Church --Missouri Synod in Bismarck and Mandan.

It is important to make Lutheran education affordable for parents, while maintaining high academic standards and providing unique educational opportunities for students. The tuition policies at Martin Luther School strive to keep tuition as low as possible, and to rely on contributions and other fundraising in a mix of financial resources. Tuition income provides only about 53% of the total dollars needed to operate the school.

The following tuition rates apply, but are subject to change:

Kindergarten through grade eight: $2,500 per school year for the first child ($250 per month under a ten-month payment schedule) and $1,950 per school year for a second child in a household ($195 per month under a ten-month payment schedule)

Multi-Child Discount

The maximum annual tuition required for a household with more than two children enrolled is $5,400 per school year ($540 per month under a ten-month payment schedule.)

Enrollment Fee

A non-refundable enrollment fee of $75 ($90 after June 15 for returning students) must be paid at the time the application is made for enrollment. The maximum annual enrollment fee required for a family with more than one enrolled child is $225 ($270 after June 15). If the applicant is not accepted for enrollment, the fee will be returned to the applicant.

Tuition Payment Procedures

Tuition payments may be made monthly over the ten-month school year, monthly over twelve months, or in a lump sum in advance for the entire school year or part of the school year:

Ten-Month. If tuition payments are made monthly over the ten month school year, the first monthly tuition payment for each student is due August fifth. All subsequent monthly payments are due on the fifth day of the month through May fifth, unless special arrangements are made with the Office Manager.

Twelve-Month. If tuition payments are made monthly over twelve months , the first monthly tuition payment for each student is due June first before the start of the school year. All subsequent monthly payments are due on the fifth day of each month through May fifth, unless special arrangements are made with the Office Manager.

Lump Sum. If a lump sum tuition payment is made for the entire school year, the payment for each student is due August fifth.

Partial Lump Sum. If a lump sum tuition payment is made for a part of the school year, the first lump sum payment is due August fifth. Any subsequent payments are due on the fifth day of the month for which payment has not been made.

The tuition received is used to operate the school. It is vitally important that tuition is paid on time. If a payment is thirty days overdue, a reminder will be mailed to the student's parents or guardian and a late fee of $25.00 will be assessed. The reminder will state that the student's enrollment will be forfeited unless payment is made or special arrangements are made with the Office Manager. A student for which tuition payments are at least ninety days overdue may not attend classes. Prior to this enrollment forfeiture, the Principal/Principal designee will personally contact the student's parents or guardian to ascertain the circumstances, discuss alternatives, and report those circumstances, alternatives, and decision to the Board. The parents or guardian of a student may request the Board to review an enrollment forfeiture.

If a student withdraws enrollment for the remainder of the school year, any tuition paid for the month during which the withdrawal occurs and any fees paid will not be refunded. Any other advance payments of tuition will be refunded.