School Transfer Information
for 2009-2010 School Year
(revised 7/8/09)

Families may apply to have their students attend a school different from their neighborhood school if the requested school has the capacity to accept transfers. Please follow the instructions below to apply for transfer. It is important that parents register their students at their neighborhood school in the event we are not able to approve the transfer request.

DISTRICT SCHOOLS

Due to recent budget cuts, grade level enrollment at all schools, even those not designated as “extremely limited,” is at or over capacity, leaving little or no room for transfer enrollment. Transfer applications received after June 1, 2009 will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please enclose a brief statement with your transfer application listing specific hardship circumstances surrounding your request for transfer.

At the elementary level it is unlikely we will be able to determine if there is room at the requested grade level until after September 11, 2009. It is important you make arrangements to attend your neighborhood school in the event we cannot accommodate your transfer request.

The schools below designated as **EL** are at or over building capacity. They have extremely limited capacity for transfer students. Although we will consider your request for transfer into these schools, please be advised due to capacity constraints it is unlikely we will be able to approve your request. Please list any special hardship circumstances on the transfer application or by separate letter attached to the application.

Transfer placement is made as outlined above with no guarantee of placement.

Instructions:

• Register at your neighborhood school if you are new to the Edmonds School District in case we are unable to approve your request for transfer.
• Obtain a Transfer Application (.pdf) (available on this website, at school offices, and the Edmonds School District Educational Services Center (ESC) at 20420 68th Ave. W., Lynnwood)
• Submit the Transfer application directly to the ESC.
• IMPORTANT: Once a transfer is approved, space will not be kept at the student's neighborhood school; therefore, please give serious consideration prior to completing and submitting a transfer request.
• Parents are responsible for transportation to and from the transfer school.
• Secondary student athletes who transfer without a corresponding change of residence must compete at the sub-varsity level for one calendar year.
• This process does not apply to Madrona K-8, Maplewood K-8, Homeschool Resource Center, Scriber Lake High School, CLIP, or International Baccalaureate. Please contact these schools directly for their entry guidelines.

ELEMENTARY TRANSFER REQUESTS

Elementary transfer requests for students with (1) siblings currently attending the transfer school then (2) students with daycare in the transfer school service area will be given priority placement as space allows. After that, applications will be considered on a case by case basis.

Transfer requests for the Cedar Valley and College Place full day kindergarten programs will be considered only if the parent qualifies for district financial aid according to the free/reduced lunch criteria. A kindergarten financial aid application and proof of income must accompany the transfer application form.

MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL TRANSFER REQUESTS

Priority placement is given to (1) students with siblings currently attending the transfer school, then on a case-by-case basis.

A lottery may be held if transfer applications exceed available space at the grade level at the requested school.

DEADLINES – ALL GRADE LEVELS

Transfer applications received from June 1 through August 31 will be reviewed frequently through August 31:

• Please make arrangements to attend your neighborhood school – chances are we will not be able to notify you as to the status of your request until after September 11, 2009.
• Notification to parents will occur in writing.
• Parents may receive notification of denial at any time.
• If space is not available after September 11 review date, the request for transfer will be considered formally denied and the parent/guardian has 5 school days after receipt of the denial to appeal the decision.
• If an exceptional number of transfer requests are received, a lottery may be conducted to determine placement.
• Applications received after September 11 must be in the form of a letter which lists special hardship circumstances. These will be considered on a case by case basis.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

• If a transfer is approved after the 2009-2010 school year begins, the student may start at the beginning of the next trimester (elementary) or semester (secondary).
• Students who are accepted for transfer may continue to attend that school without reapplying in future years unless district attendance boundaries are changed or a school has exceeded its enrollment capacity.
• Attendance at a school on transfer enrollment does not guarantee that the student will move on to attend middle or high school in that service area. For example, if you transfer to Brier Elementary, this does not guarantee you will attend Brier Terrace Middle School; if you transfer to Brier Terrace Middle School, this does not guarantee you will attend Mountlake Terrace High School.
• If approved for transfer:
1. Parents are responsible for transporting students to and from school.
2. Out-of-district students must submit a release of attendance from their resident school district each year prior to being enrolled and beginning class.
• Students must be enrolled with their correct permanent home address. Address verification will be required.

What if your transfer is denied?

A parent receiving a district letter of denial has 5 school days after receipt to submit an appeal outlining special hardship circumstances to:

Transfers
c/o Student & Family Support
Edmonds School District
20420 68th Ave W
Lynnwood, WA 98036

Questions about the transfer process may be directed to (425) 431-7155.