School Choice
Choosing the Right School

 

Choosing the right school is one of the most important decisions a family will make and in the Fresno Unified School District. We try to provide as many options as possible. Fresno Unified offers an array of specialized programs that are geared to the interests of youth.

In addition families can select a school of their choice simply by filling out an open enrollment application. The timelines for these options are outlined in the parent handbook. Another option for families to consider is a school transfer. The transfer process is described below.

Can my children attend a school near my place of employment?

Yes, according to California’s Education Code, if a parent or legal guardian is employed within the boundaries of a school district, they could be eligible to be treated as a resident of that school district. Fresno Unified will assist you in finding the right school within its boundaries based upon your employment.

What is a student transfer?

Parents/Guardians may request to transfer their children from their home school to another school in the District using the following pathways:


Open Enrollment Transfers

  • Parents/Guardians may request to transfer their children to a school of their choice within the district.
  • The only requirement is that the completed application be submitted by the deadline given in the Parent Handbook.
  • Approval is determined by space availability at each school. If there are more applications than space at a specific school, selection will be done by lottery. There is no appeal process for students not selected or for students who missed deadlines.
  • Approved transfers are valid only through the highest grade in the school.

Family-Related Transfers Checklist

Transfers may be granted for the following reasons:

  • Medical Reasons (Verification by a licensed health care provider is required.)
  • Change of Legal Address (Verification required.)
  • Child Care (K-6) (Verification required.)
     

No Child Left Behind (NCLB)-Choice Transfer from a Program Improvement School

  • Parents/Guardians may request an NCLB choice transfer if they reside in an attendance zone of a school that has been designated by the State of California as a Program Improvement (PI) school
  • The State of California designates a school as a PI school if that school has not met Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) achievement goals for two (2) consecutive school years.
  • Parents/Guardians are notified when students are enrolled or scheduled to be enrolled in a PI school.
  • Parents/Guardians must submit their transfer requests by the deadline established by the District. This type of transfer may not be revoked

NCLB-Safety Transfers

  • Parents/Guardians may request an NCLB safety transfer if a student becomes a victim of a violent criminal offense while on school grounds
  • If students attend a “persistently dangerous” school as designated by the California Department of Education, parents/guardians are required to be notified by the District and students would be given an option to transfer to another district school or attend a charter school.

Administrative Transfers/Placements

The Superintedents' designee in consultation with principals, parents/guardians, and students may initiate a transfer/administrative placement to other district schools.  

Can a transfer be revoked?

All transfers can be revoked with the exception of NCLB transfers if at least two of the conditions below are met:

  • If a student does not earn satisfactory grades (2.0 GPA)
  • If a student does not meet expectations for student behavior. (for example, two (2) or more school suspensions in any one (1) academic quarter may result in revocation)
  • If a student does not maintain prompt and regular attendance.
  • If the parents/guardians have provided a false address or made any other misrepresentation in the application or appeal process.

What is an INTERDISTRICT TRANSFER?

  •  WHENEVER a parent/guardian who resides in the FUSD wishes to have their child/children attend another school district, a request must be submitted through the Transfers Office.
  • Parents/Guardians who reside outside the FUSD, who wish to have their child/children attend school in the FUSD, must initiate their request in their district of residence.
     

What reasons may be used to grant an Interdistrict Transfers?

  • Child Care (K-6) (Verification of parent/guardian employment and childcare provider required.)
  • Pending Change of Legal Address (verification required)
  • Senior Privilege
  • Location of Parent's/Guardian's Employment (K-8) within the boundaries of the requested district (verification required.)


Can a transfer decision be appealed?

  • Yes, family-related intradistrict transfer requests that are denied may be appealed by the parents/guardians if a valid reason was established with verification and if the requested school has space at the student's grade level.
  • There is no right to appeal transfer denials that are based on lack of space in the requested school.
  • Denied interdistrict transfer requests to attend schools in another district may also be appealed by the parents/guardians.
     

Parents/Guardians must submit a written request to the Transfers Office for an appeal before the Transfer Appeals Board (TAB).
 

 

 

 

 

 
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