School District # 5 and Flathead High School District

In-District Student Transfer Policy

Students living within School District 5 or Flathead High School District boundaries, who wish to attend other than their neighborhood school, must meet the following guidelines:

• If a parent desires their child, or an adult student desires, to attend a school other than their neighborhood school they will obtain the appropriate request form from the school office or Central Office enrollment clerk.  The form must be completed and returned to the school they are currently attending.

• If the request is for movement during the school year, the request must be approved by the principal of the neighborhood school and the principal of the school requested.  Any exceptions to this procedure will be granted only by the Superintendent, or designee, for extenuating circumstances.

• If the request is for movement for the coming year, the student will be placed in his/her neighborhood school to maintain a placement until the request has been acted upon.  The request will not be considered until the end of the school year and all other classroom placements have been made.

• Families changing residence during the school year shall have the option of keeping their child in the school they are currently attending or transferring them to the school in their new area of residence.  It is understood that if the parents choose to have their child remain in the current school they are responsible for transportation.  It is also understood that at the beginning of the following school year, the student will attend the school in the area of residence.

Transfers may be granted for the following reasons:

1. Mental or physical health problems
2. Academic program offerings
3. Directed transfer due to behavioral or safety issues

Approved transfer requests have the following conditions:

• The student/parent/guardian must provide transportation to and from school.

• Attendance requires full observance of school rules and regular attendance.

• All student requests for transfer at the high school level must be made by the beginning of the previous semester (ex: a student requesting admittance in August for a new school year must apply by January of the current school year).  Exceptions may be granted at the discretion of the Superintendent, or designee, for extenuating circumstances.

• Request for an inter-district transfer, for a K-8 student, must be made by April 30 of the current school year for admittance at the beginning of the next school year.  Exceptions may be granted at the discretion of the Superintendent, or designee, for extenuating circumstances, but is subject to approval by the student’s home district.

• Transfer students may be reviewed each year to ensure that all policies are being met.

• The District reserves the right to return students to their neighborhood school, or district, if overcrowding results at the receiving school or in order to balance enrollments.

• A student may not request more than one transfer in their high school career.

• The student who is granted a transfer, not due to a family move, at the high school level is subject to eligibility policies established by the Montana High School Association (MHSA).  Specifically the ninety (90) school day rule.

• No transfers at the high school level will be made to accommodate extra- or co-curricular activities.

Policy History:

Adopted on:

Revised on: