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.

To request a Hardship Transfer application, please contact the Office of School Choice and Student Assignment via email at school_choice@dekalbschoolsga.org or phone 678-676-0035.

The following guidelines should be observed before submitting a Hardship Transfer Request Form:

  • You must first have attempted to resolve the issue with: A) Your Principal or Admin Staff at the current school or B) Your Area Superintendent
  • Documentation is required as proof of why the student cannot be served in his or her home attendance area school. A written narrative is not sufficient documentation. Extenuating (hardship) circumstances may include: a documented medical condition that prevents the current school from being able to serve the student; a court ordered transfer; police documentation of school safety issues impacting the student requesting the transfer; documented cases of excessive bullying or intolerable situations.
  • Hardships received without documentation substantiating your hardship will not be considered for approval.
  • REASONS OF DISSATISFACTION WITH A SCHOOL, SCHOOL PERFORMANCE, OR NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS WILL NOT BE APPROVED.
  • Transportation will not be provided if a Hardship Transfer is provided.
  • Hardship Transfer placement is based on school capacity. The requested school is not guaranteed for placement. When a seat is not available, placement at another school may be considered if the hardship transfer request is approved.

Hardship Transfer Approvals:

Hardship transfers are granted through the highest grade level of the school (in most cases).

The following circumstances will result in the denial of a hardship transfer request:

  • Student 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 not meeting the criteria for a transfer based on Board Policy AD – School Attendance Areas when attendance lines have been altered (redistricting).
  • 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.
  • The school requested was offered as a DeKalb County School District School Choice option during Open Enrollment. Seats are filled by lottery from eligible applications submitted during Open Enrollment.
  • 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.
  • 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 Transfer Submission Window:

  • New Hardship Transfer requests may be submitted beginning June 1st for the next school year. *Students must be enrolled in a DCSD school for consideration.
  • No Hardship Transfer applications for the current school year will be accepted after the 13.5 week of each semester.
  • 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.

Send an email to School_Choice@dekalbschoolsga.org or call the School Choice office at 678-676-0035 to request a Hardship Transfer Request Form. Applications may only be submitted via email or fax.

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 granted through the highest grade level of the school if the guidelines for continuation are met.

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.