Transfer Student
Who are Transfer Students?
A student who requests to enroll in a school district or open enrollment charter that is outside of their assigned school
based on their permanent residency.
Each district/charter has their own policies and procedures. There are several different types of transfers, and it may take several weeks for a transfer to be approved. There may also be deadlines for when the transfer paperwork must be submitted, so research options ahead of time by going to the website of the district/charter that the student would like to attend.
Types of Transfers
In-District Transfer
If the family would like their child to attend a different campus within the same district, a transfer request form must be filled out. The family will be asked for proof of their current address, and why they would like for the child to attend a different campus. The district administration makes the final decision on all in-district transfer requests and there must be room for new students.
Open Transfer
If the student attends a school that has been rated as low-performing by the Texas Education Agency within the last three years (or if more than half of the students failed the STAAR for two or three years in a row), families have the choice to send their child to a different school or district. The school they choose must have enough room for new students before accepting any transfer students. Check the following website for information about a school’s rating: www.txschools.gov
Public Education Grant (PEG) School Transfer
The PEG program allows a parent or guardian whose child attends a campus on the PEG List to request a transfer to another campus within their home district or to a campus in a different district. A list of PEG-designated campuses is provided to districts each year. Check the FAQ page for more information on PEG school options: PEG FAQ
Steps to Transfer to a New Campus or District
Step 1: Contact the school or district the family would like the child to attend to request a transfer and ask if space is available.
Step 2: If space is available, contact the student’s current campus and request a transfer form.
Proof of the student’s address must be provided and the student must be enrolled in his or her neighborhood/zoned school before submitting a transfer request.
- A photo ID will be required.
- If space is not available, ask if the student can be placed on a waiting list.
Step 3: Wait for the receiving principal to approve or deny the request for transfer.
Step 4: If approved, take the signed transfer form to the student’s current school for approval and withdrawal.
Checklist - Before Transferring from the Current School
Ask the school to provide the family of their child’s important school records.
The student’s new school will use these records to make sure they are placed in the correct grade and classes.*
- Report cards or transcript
- Attendance records
- Home Language Survey (HLS)
- Language proficiency scores/notes (LPAC)
- Individualized Education Program (IEP) plan
- STAAR scores
- 504 plan
- Proof of academic placements such as Gifted and Talented (GT)
- Immunization records
*New schools can request electronic copies of the student’s records from the previous school, but it is usually a good idea that families have their own copies of important paperwork to make sure their child is placed in the correct grade and classes.
Return any of the following items:
- School-issued computers and technology
- Textbooks
- Library books
- Sports equipment and uniforms
Gather:
- All items from the student’s desk
- All items from the student’s locker
- Any completed work and projects from teacher