Public School Transfers: How to Go to a School You’re Not Zoned for in Georgia
Key Points
- Public school transfers are an education option that allows parents to move their child to a public school they’re not zoned for (as long as the school has space).
- Georgia currently allows public school transfers within a student’s current district, but not outside of it.
- Parents must apply for a public school transfer. Scroll down to find out how to check with your local school district for availability and application deadlines.
Public school transfers explained
Public school transfers, also referred to as open enrollment for public schools, allow parents to move their student to a public school different from the one they’re zoned for.
This is a great option for states to provide because it increases flexibility within the public school system—something parents increasingly want. The majority of Georgia students (84%) attend public school, so transfers are a way to empower parents to choose the public school environment that’s right for their child.
Types of public school transfers available in Georgia
- Allowed: Transfers within assigned school districts. Georgia offers restricted public school transfers. Families can send their child to any school within their assigned local district as long as that school has space and has been operating for at least four years. This option is known as intra-district transfer.
- Not yet allowed: Transfers outside of assigned school districts. Another type of public school transfer, called “inter-district transfer,” permits students to switch to a public school outside of the district they are zoned for. This option is not allowed in Georgia yet. Georgia lawmakers would need to pass a bill to make it available to families.
There’s a better vision for education in Georgia: Every child able to access quality education without restrictions of wealth, race, circumstances of birth, or zip code.
There’s a better vision for education in Georgia: Every child able to access quality education without restrictions of wealth, race, circumstances of birth, or zip code.
How Georgia’s public school transfers work
Parents must contact the local school system to see which schools will accept transfers and for which grades. The Georgia Department of Education provides a list of public school contact information.
Each school system is required to notify parents by July 1 about which schools have space. Many systems post this information on their websites before July 1. Most districts only allow transfers at the beginning of the school year, but all can elect to accept students throughout the year.
Parents must then apply for a transfer though their district’s website, at the district office, or at the local school. If more students apply than there is space available, some school systems will make decisions on a first come, first served basis. Others will hold a random lottery.
Apply for a public school transfer: Requirements and steps to know
Parents must contact the local school system to see which schools will accept transfers and for which grades. The Georgia Department of Education provides a list of public school contact information.
Each school system is required to notify parents by July 1 about which schools have space. Many systems post this information on their websites before July 1. Most districts only allow transfers at the beginning of the school year, but all can elect to accept students throughout the year.
Parents apply for a transfer though their district’s website, at the district office, or at the local school. If more students apply than there is space available, some school systems will make decisions on a first come, first served basis. Others will hold a random lottery.
Eligibility requirements
- A student must be enrolled in a public school in Georgia.
School options
- Transfers open up access to other public schools within a student’s neighborhood.
- Transfers do not apply to public schools outside a student’s assigned district. They also do not apply to non-public schools.
- A student who transfers to another public school may continue to attend that school until completing all grades of the school.
Cost to families
- School systems cannot charge tuition for students transferring within their district.
- Transportation is the responsibility of the parent/guardian.
Five application steps to know
1. Contact your local school system to see which schools accept transfers and in which grades.
2. Check your school system’s website by July 1. Each system is required to notify parents annually about which schools have space available. State law requires school systems to post this information by July 1, but it’s often available earlier so consider setting a reminder to check the website as early as April or May.
3. Access a transfer request on your district’s website, at the district office, or at your local school. Complete the transfer application (note: some school systems require parents to do this step in person at the district office).
4. Application periods can be as short as one to two weeks. For many districts, this application window is in June or July. In other areas, it can be as early as January. Get in touch with your district or check their website early and often so you don’t miss any deadlines.
5. The school system will notify parents about whether their transfer request was accepted or denied. If more students apply than there is space available, school systems will make decisions on a first come, first served basis or through a random lottery.
How Georgia can expand public school options
Georgia lawmakers could expand opportunities within the public school system by removing all restrictions on transfers and allowing both inter-district transfers (access to public schools in different districts) and intra-district transfers (access to public schools in a student’s current district).
To set up a successful transfer program, there are a couple of state examples Georgia could look to:
Example: Florida’s unrestricted open enrollment
- In 2016, Florida passed a law creating state-wide open enrollment that required all districts to participate.
Students can transfer from the school they’re zoned for to any public school that has space in their grade level.
While there are a few ways Florida could improve its public school transfer policy, its unrestricted approach is one other states can learn from.
Example: Wisconsin’s open access to any school district
- Over 70,000 students are thriving in school, thanks to Wisconsin’s cross-district open enrollment policy, which allows students access to any public school inside or outside of their district.
- A unique feature of Wisconsin’s program is that, when a student moves to a new school district, a large chunk of their state funding goes with them. Another portion is left behind in the student’s old district to help offset costs associated with student transfers.
- Through this arrangement, families can meet their needs, and public schools enjoy an incentive to accept transfers.
In the 2024 legislative session, the Georgia Senate is considering a bill (Senate Bill 147) that would let students transfer to a different public school either in their current district or outside of it.
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