APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED WILL BE REVIEWED AND DECISIONS COMMUNICATED WITHIN 5 - 10 BUSINESS DAYS

 

Please Note: Grievances arising from parent-school conflicts, discipline and/or attendance problems, and general dissatisfaction with a school are not considered hardships. Parents experiencing these situations should refer to the Parent/Guardian Concerns, Complaints & Issues protocol found in the APS Student Handbook. 

Parents also have the right to request a transfer to another school during the annual School Choice application window. 

 

Parents who apply for a student transfer should carefully consider their student's eligibility in extracurricular activities/sports pursuant to the rules of the individual programs and Georgia High School Association constitution (GHSA) available at www.ghsa.net to maintain eligibility. By requesting this transfer, I attest that I have reviewed and understand the impact to my student's eligibility. 

IMPORTANT: ALL HARDSHIP TRANSFER REQUESTS MUST INCLUDE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION THAT SUBSTANTIATES THE HARDSHIP IN ACCORDANCE WITH ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION JBCCA-R(1) STUDENT ASSIGNMENT TO SCHOOLS- STUDENT TRANSFERS LISTED ON PAGE 2.

THIS APPLICATION MUST BE FULLY COMPLETED. STUDENT MUST BE ENROLLED AND ATTENDING AN APS SCHOOL FOR HARDSHIP CONSIDERATION.

HARDSHIP APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

 

IMPORTANT NOTE: CURRENT APS STUDENTS MUST REMAIN ENROLLED IN SCHOOL WHILE AWAITING AN APPLICATION DECISION. APPLICATIONS RECEIVED FOR WITHDRAWN STUDENTS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

 

A hardship transfer application must be completed on the basis of the existence of one the following type of hardships in accordance with ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION JBCCA-R(1) STUDENT ASSIGNMENT TO SCHOOLS – STUDENT TRANSFERS.

Applications without supporting documentation will not be considered.

DEATH OF A PARENT/LEGAL GUARDIAN  (Complete Sections 1 & 2 ONLY)  (supporting documentation required below)

- Copy of parent/guardian’s death certificate or

- Funeral program/obituary

- AND copy of child’s birth certificate or court guardianship documents

MILITARY PARENT DEPLOYED  (Complete Sections 1 & 3 ONLY)     

- Emergency deployment of parent/legal guardian as a member of the U.S. Armed Services (supporting documentation required below)

- Any official documentation from military which includes a basic letter verifying deployment

SERVICES UNAVAILABLE AT ZONED SCHOOL (Complete Sections 1 & 4 ONLY)

- Services cannot be provided by zoned school, such as a daily need for services provided by a school nurse. (Supporting documentation required below)

- Any official medical documentation that substantiates services not available at zoned school

NOTE: When special education services are not available at a student’s zoned school, the Special Education department will coordinate a transfer to a school with the services available. Parents need not complete a hardship application for this purpose.

COURT ORDER  (Complete Sections 1 & 5 ONLY) 

- A court order, including temporary restraining order or injunction. (Supporting documentation required below)

- Court order or temporary restraining order/injunction

MEDICAL REASONS  (Complete Sections 1 & 6 ONLY)

- the student's physician, psychiatrist or psychologist must provide a written recommendation and professional opinion including the specific medical reasons (physical and/or psychological) for the recommendation and must be willing to defend the recommendation in court. The Background for Medical Hardship Request form must be completed by a physician (D.O. or M.D.), psychiatrist (M.D.) or clinical psychologist (Ph.D.) in addition to the Hardship Transfer Application form to substantiate the request.  (supporting documentation required below)

- Physician must complete the Release of Student's Medical Information Form PRIOR to completing the online application, and must be uploaded to the application.

- Medical documentation reflecting the diagnosis date of the illness must be attached

CURRICULUM CONTINUITY (Complete Sections 1 & 7 ONLY)

- the superintendent, inc onsultation with the regional executive director and the Department of Student Assignment, may determine that a high school student who is a new resident of the city of Atlanta or who moves within the city may qualify for a transfer to the nearest high school offering a particular program of study or foreign language that is not offered at their zoned school if the student has already begun the course sequence at their prior school. A program of study is a prescribed sequence of courses that leads to completion of a career and technical education pathway or to an International Baccalaureate diploma. Career and Technical the requested program of study (a sequence of classes) or core course needed for graduation purposes. Students must first enroll in the zoned school, and the principal must assure that the student has met the requirements for the requested core course or program of study, and that the requested core course or program of study is not available at the zoned school or via distance learning options such as online courses or video conferencing. The principal at the receiving school must also assure that the requested core course or program of study is available in his/her school and that there is space available. (supporting documentation required below)

DUAL IMMERSION PROGRAM (Complete section 1 & 9 ONLY)

- for students who are enrolled in the DLI program and successfully complete a minimum of one full academic year

-if the student moves from the attendance zone of an APS DLI program school to an APS school that does not have the DLI program, OR does not have the DLI program in the student’s current grade level, the student may continue at the DLI school AND in the DLI program articulation through 12th grade, as long as the parents provide transportation.

-if the student moves from the attendance zone of an APS DLI program school to an APS school that has the DLI program for the student’s grade level, then the student may continue the DLI program at the new school unless the DLI program language is not compatible.

SIBLINGS (Complete section 1 & 8 ONLY)  

– Siblings of students already attending a school through an approved transfer may apply to attend the same school as the transferring student. In the event that there is more sibling interest in a transfer than school capacity allows,  the Office of Student Assignment will administer a lottery for sibling admission.

• This provision does not apply to or impact student placement via an IEP team decision, which is determined in accordance with federal law.

•  A sibling is defined as a brother, sister, step-brother, or step-sister living in the same household and who otherwise meets the requirements for enrollment.

• Parents/guardians wishing to apply for a sibling hardship transfer must do so during the annual hardship application period.

• Siblings of students who are required by Atlanta Public Schools to attend a specific school in order to receive specific or special instructional services may be enrolled in the same school so that children who are full-time residents at the same address may attend school together. This option applies to siblings of Special Education students who cannot obtain required special education services within the child’s school attendance zone and siblings of students enrolled in a dual immersion program. Families would be responsible for providing transportation to siblings granted a transfer under this provision.

OTHER  (Complete Sections 1 & 9 ONLY)  

-  An event or situation in which the Director of Student Assignment, in consultation with the principal and Associate Superintendent, determines that a student’s transfer to another school is warranted.

(supporting documentation required below)

- Ex. Police report

- Ex. MedicalPhysician report

NOTE: The receiving school shall be the closest school to the student's zoned school with available classroom space that offers the needed programs and services, ideally within the same cluster. 

Please read the following information carefully to determine if your child is eligible for an Atlanta Public School Hardship Transfer.

 

Consideration factors for denial, revocation or non-renewal:

 

ATTENDANCE 

- Students who have missed schools in excess of the following number of days will be automatically denied a hardship transfer. Students currently attending a school on an approved hardship, but failing to maintain a satisfactory attendance record will be subject to revocation of the existing transfer

- Student has been tardy to school 15 or more times;

- Student has been absent from school 5 or more days, unexcused.

- If absences are excused or medical but exceed 5 days, parents must provide written explanation of why the absences occurred.

 

DISCIPLINE

- Students who have not maintained satisfactory behavior in school are not granted permission to transfer under hardship policy. Students currently attending a school on an approved hardship, but failing to maintain satisfactory behavior will be subject to revocation of the existing transfer.

- Elementary school students who have been involved in 5 or more incidents;

- Elementary school students who have received more than 3 days Out of School Suspension; Middle or high school students who have received more than 5 days Out of School Suspension or In-School Suspension.

Students requesting a hardship transfer shall apply for such transfer through the Department of Student Assignment on an annual basis. The request shall fully explain the reasons for the request. Parents/guardians and schools will be notified that the request for transfer has been approved or denied. The receiving school shall be the closest school to the student’s zoned school with available classroom space that offers the needed programs and services, ideally within the same cluster. No transportation will be provided, and hardship transfers are subject to revocation.

 

ENROLLMENT

- Students applying for a hardship transfer must be currently enrolled and attending an APS school.

-Parents who have withdrawn their students will not be eligible for a hardship transfer. 

 

 The Hardship Committee reserves the right to approve or deny transfers for any lawful reason that may or may not be listed above. An incomplete application could cause a delay in processing time.

 

Medical Hardship Additional Information:

If a student has never attended the zoned school, the request is deemed unsubstantiated since the home school has not been given an opportunity to address the student's medical needs.

Consideration is given to requests for a student transfer from the home school to the next closest school with available space based on documented physical, psychological or emotional issues. The student's physician or mental health provider must provide a written recommendation and professional opinion including the specific medical reasons for the recommendation. The parent may also provide a written explanation as to why the transfer should be granted. Medical hardships are not made a part of the student's permanent record.

Application Guidelines: All medical information (letters/examinations) submitted must be current (within the last six months) Medical need must be substantiated by the home school with accompanying documentation and the transfer school must have appropriate staff to provide services requested.

 

Medical Release Form

Curriculum Continuity Additional Information:
 
Curriculum Difference Hardship:  HIGH SCHOOL ONLY
 
Application Guidelines: Students must be passing all classes with a "C" or better. Students must be able to complete the entire program of study during their tenure at the transfer school as well as any additional classes required. Approval is based on space within the requested program and school.

INCLUDE PROOF OF RESIDENCY WITH YOUR APPLICATION

Required Documents - The following documents should be submitted with your transfer application. The person, with whom the student(s) lives must attach proof of residency, dated within the last thirty (30) days and must show parent/guardian legal name and street address. Please note that a P.O. Box is not acceptable as a residence address. Please carefully read the scenarios listed below and provide the documentation that applies to your student’s living situation.

You may bring copies or can request copies be made at the time you submit your application.

 

Possible Living Situation #1 - If you own and live in the resident property, you will need to provide:

1. Photo identification;

2. A deed or a Mortgage Statement in your name showing residence property address; AND

3. A current Georgia Power Bill in your name for the current month showing the residence property address;

 

Possible Living Situation #2 - If you rent and live in the rental property, you will need to provide:

1. Photo identification;

2. Copy of the lease/rental agreement (or current HUD Certificate of Compliance/Annual Renew Notice); AND

3. A current Georgia Power Bill in your name for the current month showing the residence property address.

 

Possible Living Situation #3 - If you are living at a property with the owner or being rented by another person, you will need to provide:

1. Photo identification;

2. A Deed, Mortgage Statement, or Lease/Rental Agreement (or current HUD Certificate of Compliance/Annual Renewal Notice) in the owner or primary renters name and showing residence property address;

3. Georgia Power Bill (current within the last 30 days); AND

4. Three additional documents in your name showing the residence property address.

If the Lease/Rental Agreements requires all occupants to be listed, the names of the occupants must be listed on the Lease/ Rental Agreement.