SCPS REFS: 1-25; 2-10

2103 Student Services 2103

STUDENT TRANSFERS

THE SCHOOL BOARD OF STAFFORD COUNTY

PURPOSE: To authorize, under certain circumstances and

conditions, student transfers to attend schools outside their

attendance zones.

Universal Considerations

All transfer requests shall be considered for approval within

the constraints of school, grade level, and classroom capacities

and/or program or curriculum availability. Schools, grade

levels, classrooms, and programs may be closed to transfers by

the superintendent/designee when actual or projected enrollments

meet or exceed the determined threshold for capacity. Requests

to transfer for students who require special programs, services,

and supports will only be considered if the required programs,

services, and supports are available at the requested school.

Reasons for Student Transfers

A request for a student transfer to a school that is not closed

may be approved for the reasons set forth below. At the middle

and high school levels, a closed school is either a school at

90% or more of its design capacity or as designated as a closed

school by the School Board. At the elementary level, a closed

school is either a school at 85% of its program capacity or as

designated as a closed school by the School Board.

1. To accommodate the parents/guardians of elementary and

middle school children when it is necessary for someone in

a different school attendance area to care for the student

before and/or after school. The child care provider’s

residence and/or day care center must be located within the

attendance area of the requested school. Personnel at the

requested school shall verify that (1) the child care

provider is located within the school’s attendance area,

and (2) the child is actually under the supervision of the

child care provider as stated on the student transfer

request. A completed child care verification form must be

included with the student transfer request.

2. To meet the specific medical, emotional, and adjustive

needs of a student. Documentation (e.g., from physicians,

psychologists, or counselors) that addresses the needs and

specifies the manner in which a transfer out of a

2103 Student Services 2103

STUDENT TRANSFERS

THE SCHOOL BOARD OF STAFFORD COUNTY 2

particular school shall meet the student’s needs is

required and must be included with the student transfer

request.

3. To allow children of part-time or full-time school division

employees who reside in Stafford County to attend the

school in which the parent is employed or the school

nearest the employee’s work location. The student must

reside with the school division employee.

4. To allow a student to enroll and remain for the year in a

sequential (multi-year) curricular program which is not

offered at their base school. Half-day programs (e.g., CGS

or STAT) are not considered sufficient justifications for

approval of a transfer due to transportation being provided

from the base school.

5. To allow a student to transfer who has been the victim of a

violent crime and for whom a new school location is deemed

more appropriate than the base school.

6. To allow students to transfer to a school based on some

other valid need. The reason for transfer must be described

on the student transfer request and any substantiating

documentation must be included with the request.

Closed School Transfers

1. Requests to transfer to a closed school will only be

approved for the following:

 extreme hardship case; or

 children of part-time or full-time school division

employees who reside in Stafford County and are

employed at the closed school or at the nearest work

location to the closed school. The student must reside

with the school division employee.

 children of full-time nonresident, certificated

instructional employees (see SCPS Policy 2105 –

Nonresidents)

2. Child care and the school which a sibling attends are not

sufficient justifications for approval of a transfer to a

closed school.

2103 Student Services 2103

STUDENT TRANSFERS

THE SCHOOL BOARD OF STAFFORD COUNTY 3

Conditions for Student Transfers

1. An approved student transfer request is subject to review

and possible non-renewal in subsequent years based on the

criteria set forth in this policy.

2. Transportation is not provided by SCPS for students

attending a school on an approved student transfer from the

child’s home and/or back.

3. The initial approval of a student transfer request or

continued student enrollment at a school outside the

designated attendance zone will be contingent upon

attendance and behavior. Five unexcused absences or tardies

within the school year will initiate a review and possible

revocation of current transfer status or may serve as

grounds for denial of an initial transfer request. Five

documented discipline referrals within the school year will

initiate a review and possible revocation of current

transfer status or may serve as grounds for denial of an

initial transfer request.

4. Transfers shall be revoked if the reason the transfer was

approved is no longer valid for any reason, including, but

not limited to: not meeting requirements in any curricular

program or changing daycare provider.

5. Students who are granted a transfer to a high school

outside their attendance zone shall be ineligible to

participate in VHSL-sponsored activities for 365

consecutive calendar days; however, a student entering

ninth grade for the first time may be eligible to

participate in VHSL-sponsored activities.

6. Parents/Guardians must provide necessary documentation for

transfer request(s).

2103 Student Services 2103

STUDENT TRANSFERS

THE SCHOOL BOARD OF STAFFORD COUNTY 4

Appeals of Transfer Decisions

The parent, guardian, or student 18 years old or older may

appeal, in writing, a denial of a request for a student transfer

to the superintendent/designee. An appeal must be received

within 30 calendar days of the receipt of notification of the

decision to deny a student transfer. The decision made by the

superintendent and/or his/her designee shall be final.

06/24/08 Adopted

03/30/09 Edited by Superintendent

10/26/10 Amended

01/17/13 Reviewed

12/12/03 Readopted

02/28/17 Amended

04/25/17 Amended

04/24/18 Amended

04/30/19 Amended

03/10/20 Amended

****************

Legal Refs.: § 7912 (20 U.S.C.); §§ 22.1-3 and 22.1-3.3. (Code

of Virginia, 1950, as amended)

VSBA Cross Ref.: JCA