Resources for Students Transferring Schools

Resources for Students Transferring Schools

Families facing issues such as divorce and custody, or other family hardships, may have to deal with children transferring schools within the Maryland Public School System. The transfer may occur at any time during the school year, and families have certain rights when it comes to this issue.

Note that if your child has experienced problems with their academic standing within the school system, such as expulsions, suspensions and other problems, these may provide barriers to a problem-free transfer. Problems may also arise if the student was taking courses at their old school that do not match up with any courses at the new school. Contact the school to which your child is transferring to see whether these issues may affect your child's transfer status.

Specific Questions

What should I do first?

What else should I provide to my child's new school?

Does it matter when my child transfers schools?

Other resources

What if the school denies the transfer? Important!

What Should I Do First?

To start the transfer process, schools require the Maryland School Transfer Form for transferring students. This form notifies a school of your child's upcoming transfer, and gives them the basic information they need to begin processing your child's records. Each school has these forms and is required to fill them out for the students. Just contact your child's guidance counselor at his or her old school and explain that your child is transferring to a different school. Let them know what your child's last day at the school will be. Request that he or she fill out the Maryland Transfer Form, and ask when you can pick it up. Once you know what school your child will be attending, call them and set up an appointment. Take the completed form to the appointment. If you are a relative of the child who is taking him of her because of a "serious family hardship," read the page on "Informal Kinship Care" before you try to enroll the child to see whether you need an "affidavit of informal kinship care."

What Else Should I Provide to my Child's New School?

Schools in Maryland may ask for several things to finalize your child's transfer. Below is a list of what you may be asked to provide, although you should call the school and ask what specific documents they require.

Proof of custody/guardianship This lets the school know who is responsible for the child, and who makes educational decisions for the child. This can be a birth certificate, a Divorce Decree, or a Court Order. This may not be an absolute requirement. See the Peoples Law Library's page on school enrollment and the page on informal kinship care for more information. If the child actually lives with one parent but there is no custody order, or if the child lives with an informal kinship care provider, that adult should be allowed to enroll the child and make educational decisions.
Proof of Residency A student's right to attend a Maryland Public school requires that the parents, legal guardian, legal custodian, or informal kinship care provider of the student are residents of Maryland.
Immunization Records All students are required to have up-to-date immunization records to be able to enroll in and attend school. If your child requires updates on his or her immunizations, you may temporarily enroll them for 20 days to allow them to attend school pending the immunization updates. (There is an exception for "homeless" children who do not have the records.)

Does it Matter When During the Year my Child Transfers Schools?

In some situations, your child may have to transfer schools in the middle of a semester. This is generally not a problem. A student may transfer at anytime during the school year, and be able to retain any credit for work done during the course of that semester.

Difficulties may arise when sometimes, in extreme situations, a child may be transferring schools towards the end of a semester, when all that is left are a few days of class or just exams. The principals for each school has the discretion with what to do for such situations. The student may be allowed to not take the exam and be given credits for the work done at the prior school, the student may be required to take the exams at his or her old school, or the student may be allowed to take his exams at the new school.

If this situation occurs with your child, make sure you contact the both the student's former school and the school she or he is transferring to and explain your situation. Ask the principal what your child will be required to do to ensure that he or she receives credits for the semester.

Other Resources

Visit the State Department of Education's "Most Frequently Asked Questions About School Enrollment" for a simple explanation of the normal steps for enrolling or transferring. [But, see "What if the school denies the transfer," below.] A good step to take if you have any questions on the requirements and difficulties of school transfers is to contact the Pupil Personnel Worker for the school your child is transferring to. You can contact the local Pupil Personnel Worker (PPW) by contacting your local Board of Education. They will be able to tell you who the PPW for your school system is. Use the Department of Education's website to find your local Education Agency. The PPW will be able to give you more detailed information on what specific steps you need to do to make the transfer as problem-free as possible.

What If The School Denies The Transfer?

If transfer is denied, you should be aware that there may be legal reasons on which you could challenge the denial. Also, you may be entitled to a hearing about the denial. See the Peoples Law Library pages on Homeless Students and Informal Kinship Care for more details. The page on School enrollment may also be helpful. Your rights may not be controlled entirely by the school's ordinary policies as you they usually are explained. You may need legal assistance if a transfer is denied.

Source - MLAN and Legal Aid Bureau, updated by the Maryland State Law Library (MSLL).

Last legal review 3/31/08 (PLL/M.A.J.)