How to stay in the same school after moving

Moving house comes with a large set of challenges – organizing the complicated relocation process, dealing with laborious moving tasks, paying high moving costs, leaving your comfort zone behind, parting with loved ones, adjusting to a new environment, fitting in a new community, building new relationships, etc. And if you have school-aged children, changing schools will add yet another great challenge to the long list.

You’ll have to find a good new school for your kids, consider school boundaries when looking for a new home, take the beginning and end of the school year into account when timing your move, deal with all the extensive paperwork required to transfer your child to another school, etc. Besides, your kid may not want to change schools (because of friends, reputation, extra-curricular activities, etc.) – or the old school may be a really good one and you may want your child to continue attending it.

But can your child stay in the same school after moving? Is it possible to attend school out of district?

Here is what you need to know when wondering “Does my child have to change school if we move?”

Moving within the same school district

Whether a child can stay in the same school after their family moves to a new address depends on the distance of the move – and more exactly, on the location of the new home in relation to the school boundaries.

If you’re only moving across town and your new home is located in the school catchment area, then your child will, of course, stay in the same school. You just need to inform the school of the change of address. (The change of address notice must include your child’s personal information (first and last name, age, grade), parents’ contact information, the new home address, and proof of address within the school zone).

If your new location is in the same school district but in a different school zone, your child will most probably be allowed to stay in their current school for the current school year only. After that, they will have to attend the school assigned to the new address. Depending on the school district, however, your kid may be able to remain at the old school as long as you provide transportation.

So, when moving within the same school district but to a different area, be sure to discuss the issue with the school authorities and apply for a permit for your child to stay in the same school – you’ll have to fill out the necessary paperwork, appear before the school board, and explain your reasons for wanting your son or daughter to continue studying at the same educational institution. If you make a good argument, your child will get to stay in their old school.

Good to know: Many school districts allow intradistrict transfers – parents can indicate a preference for the school they want their child to attend, regardless of their place of residence within the district. So, when moving within the same school district, you may be able to take advantage of that program to keep your child enrolled in their current school.

Related: How to move with a school-aged child

Moving out of the school district

If you’re moving out of district, it will be really difficult – and oftentimes impossible – for your child to stay in the same school.

School system

First of all, the education law states that every school district has a duty to provide for the elementary and high-school education of all students who live within its borders. To cover the costs for the education, the district collects property taxes from its residents.

If you move out of your school district, it will no longer collect taxes from your family – and will no longer be responsible for paying for the education of your child. Your new school district will, so your kid will be assigned to a school in the new district.

If you want your son or daughter to continue attending their current school, the new district will have to forward the money it collects from you to your old school district – or you will have to pay a tuition fee in your former school district.

Both options require a lot of bureaucratic struggle (and have legal issues), so you’ll probably be told that it’s impossible to stay in the same school after moving out of district. While it is not, in fact, impossible, it is difficult and only feasible under certain circumstances.

Needless to say, this only applies to public schools – if your child goes to a private school, they will most probably be able to stay there, no matter where your family moves to (just be sure to discuss the matter with the school principal well in advance). However, you’ll have to carefully consider transportation options and commute times.

Logistic issues

If you’re moving long distance (to another state or to a faraway city), the thought of keeping your child in the same school shouldn’t even cross your mind – you can’t possibly live in one state and take your little one to school in another. Your kid will have to move schools.

The only situation when you may consider keeping your child in their current school is if you have a teenager who is in their last (or second-to-last) year of high school – in this case, it may be a good idea to let your son or daughter live with relatives in your old area until graduation (you’ll likely have to give your relatives temporary guardianship of your child).

See also: How to move with a teenager

When can your child go to a school outside their district?

If you’re moving out of the school district but to a nearby area and can provide transportation for your child to their old school, you can petition to stay in the same school. You’ll have to talk to the principal, fill out all the appropriate paperwork, and make your case. If your child has good grades, good attendance, and good behavior, your request is likely to be approved (you may have to pay an out-of-area fee).

Attending school out of district is possible through the school choice program that allows a certain number of children outside a district to attend the educational institutions in the district. So, if you’re moving out of your school district and want your child to continue attending the same school, you can file an inter-district transfer request (as long as the old school participates in the school choice program).

What is an interdistrict transfer?

An Interdistrict Transfer is an agreement that allows students to attend a school in a district other than the one in which they reside. Interdistrict transfers must be approved by both the student’s current district of residence and the school district of desired attendance. Transportation is not provided for students attending a school in another district under this program.

All students approved for an interdistrict transfer have to maintain certain standards in acceptable behavior, attendance, and academic progress – if these standards are not met, the interdistrict agreement can be denied or revoked.

Inter-district transfers are approved based on several criteria, including past residence in the school district of desired attendance – so you can file a transfer request when moving to another school district. You’ll have to complete and submit an Inter-District Transfer Request Form and provide copies of your child’s last report card, transcript, attendance, and discipline. Depending on the district, you may or may not have to reapply for a transfer each year.

Each local district governing board has its own policies regarding interdistrict transfers, so when moving out of district and wishing your child to stay in their current school, you should discuss the issue directly with the Superintendent’s Office in your old school district.

Now that you know the answers to the bothersome questions Can my child stay in school if we move?, What happens if I move out of my school district?, etc., it will be easier to decide what will be best for your child and your family. Good luck with your move and your child’s education!