Hardship Transfers

    Guidelines

    Board Policy regarding Hardship Transfers stipulates the following:

    In exceptional circumstances, and on a case-by-case basis, hardship transfer requests will be considered. Upon receiving documentation of an extenuating situation, the Superintendent or designee may approve a recommendation by the Office of Student Assignment that a student be allowed to attend a school other than the school serving the student’s attendance area. State law allows for transfer requests in certain circumstances based on placement in a non-permanent classroom or excessive travel time or distance, as specifically defined by state law and the rules of the Georgia Department of Education and such requests may be considered by the District. For all hardship transfer requests, available capacity in the requested school and grade level at the time of the request will be considered. If capacity is not available, the Superintendent may approve transfer to another school in the District. Transportation will not be provided by the District. Siblings may be approved only if grade level capacity is available. Hardship Transfers are limited to residents of DeKalb County School District only.

    Hardship transfer approvals: Hardship transfers are granted for one (1) school year only. Additionally, only one (1) request will be granted each school year. In order to remain in the hardship transfer placement, the request must be resubmitted along with documentation that the hardship continues to exist.

    The following circumstances will not result in the granting of a hardship approval:

    • Not residing in a DeKalb County School System attendance area.
    • Request not meeting the criteria for a hardship transfer based on Board Policy JBCC – Student Assignment.
    • Request does not meet the criteria for a transfer based on Board Policy AD – School Attendance Areas when attendance lines have been altered (redistricting).
    • The school requested was offered as a DeKalb County School System School Choice option during Open Enrollment. Seats are filled by lottery from eligible applications submitted during Open Enrollment.
    • Insufficient documentation given to verify that student cannot be served in his or her home school.
    • Request is based on student or school performance.
    • Request is based on feelings regarding school staff.
    • Request is for Senate Bill 10 transfers.
    • Request is for sibling priority or preference.
    • Request is for Pre-K seat in the Pre-K program.
    • Request is for a private school or Start-up Charter School.

    Hardship transfer revocation:

    Failure to meet the hardship transfer continuation guidelines may result in the revocation of the hardship transfer and return to home school (school must provide documentation of behavior and parent contact to Office of School Choice):

    • Behavior infractions – students with at least three (3) disciplinary infractions of level 3 or higher may be referred for revocation. If an infraction is at or above level 4, a student may be subject to revocation upon the first violation.

    • If an infraction is at or above level 4, a student may be subject to revocation upon the first violation.

    • Attendance – students with at least five (5) unexcused absences or at least six (6) unexcused tardies may be referred for revocation.

    • Excessive check-outs.

    • Repeated failure to leave the campus promptly at the end of the school day or after participation in an authorized school activity.

    Hardship submission window:

    • No Hardship Transfer applications for the current school year will be accepted after the 13.5 week of each semester.
    • Hardship renewals will not be accepted until the first week of June each year.
    • No revocations for the current semester will take place after the 13.5 week of each semester.

    Hardship Transfer FAQs

    Any documented situation that prevents your child from being able to be educated at your home school. Examples: Documented legal cases, documented bullying situations, documented medical conditions.

    Dissatisfaction with your child’s home school, the staff, or any other facet of the school, are situations that are not hardship cases.

    Any currently enrolled, attending DCSD student whose parent/guardian is able to demonstrate with documentation a hardship that prevents them from being educated at their home school.

    Read and complete the transfer form entirely and submit to the Office of School Choice and Student Assignment, along with documentation of your hardship. Written statements/explanations do not qualify as documentation.

    Hardship transfers are only valid for one school year and must be renewed the summer preceding the next school year. Documentation that your hardship continues to exist must be submitted along with a newly completed form. Students must return to their home school if the renewal request is not made or if it is denied.

    Only one Hardship Transfer is granted per school year.

    The processing and rendering of a decision for a Hardship Transfer can take up to 10 business days depending on the time of year of submission. All applicants will be notified once a decision has been rendered.

    Yes. The acceptance letter provides guidelines for continuation that must be adhered to. Failure to abide by the guidelines can cause a student to be returned to their home school.

    • Behavior infractions – students with at least three (3) disciplinary infractions of level 3 or higher may be referred for revocation (refer to Student Code of Conduct)
    • Attendance – students with at least five (5) absences or at least six (6) tardies may be referred for revocation
    • Excessive check-outs
    • Repeated failure to leave the campus promptly at the end of the school day or after participation in an authorized school activity

    For additional questions, please contact the Office of School Choice and Student Assignment at school_choice@dekalbschoolsga.org or 678-676-0035.