Hardship Transfer Definition and Guidelines

A Hardship Transfer is reserved for documented, verifiable emergencies. A hardship includes—but is not limited to—catastrophic, sudden, or life-altering events that create an immediate and compelling need for a student to attend a school other than their zoned school. Hardships occur without warning, cannot be planned or anticipated, and are unique to each individual or family.

Documentation Requirements

Documentation is required in order to assess and determine whether a hardship exists. All documentation must come from a verifiable, credible source.

*Handwritten notes, personal statements, preferences, or information that cannot be verified—even if supported by the school—cannot be accepted as adequate documentation for a hardship request.

All Transfers Are

• Contingent upon seat availability.
• Approval is dependent on current enrollment numbers and school capacity.
• Dependent on students remaining in good standing with respect to attendance, behavior, and academic performance, as outlined in district expectations.
• Subject to revocation if provided information is inaccurate, incomplete, or no longer valid.
• Conditioned upon compliance with all district policies and procedures.
• Not guaranteed from year to year and require a new transfer request each year.
• The responsibility of the parent/guardian for providing transportation.
• Final and not subject to appeal.

Unavailable Schools

• BREWER EARLY INNOVATION ACADEMY
• BRITT DAVID MAGNET ACADEMY
• CLUBVIEW ELEMENTARY
• COLUMBUS HIGH SCHOOL
• DAVIS ELEMENTARY
• DOWNTOWN MAGNET ACADEMY
• EAGLE RIDGE ACADEMY
• MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. ELEM
• MATHEWS ELEMENTARY
• NORTH COLUMBUS ELEMENTARY
• NORTHSIDE HIGH
• RAINEY MCCULLERS SCH OF ARTS
• RICHARDS MIDDLE
• ST ELMO CTR FOR THE GIFTED
• VETERANS MEMORIAL MIDDLE
• WOODALL CENTER

OPEN SEAT TRANSFERS

Parents and/or legal guardians should note the following information if preparing to apply for Open Seat Transfers in accordance with HB 251.

HB 251 allows parents or guardians of students enrolled in a public elementary or secondary school in Georgia to elect to enroll their student in a public school that is located within the school district in which the student resides, other than the one to which the student has been assigned if such school has permanent classroom space available after its assigned students have been enrolled.

• The parent or guardian shall assume the responsibility and cost of transporting the student to and from school.
• Students eligible for transfer under the unsafe school choice option will receive first priority for available seats.
• If the number of requests exceeds the available spaces at a school, the requests will be selected via a lottery. There will be no appeals.
• The parent or legal guardian will have 14 days from receiving approval to confirm enrollment. Failure to confirm enrollment by the deadline will result in the transfer approval being forfeited.
• Any change of school placement that is not the result of a bona fide change of residence, such as transfers under HB 251, may impact a student's eligibility to participate in Georgia High School Association (GHSA) sanctioned varsity activities and events for one calendar year. The parent and/or legal guardian is responsible for investigating and determining the impact of such a transfer.

All Transfers Are

• Contingent upon seat availability.
• Approval is dependent on current enrollment numbers and school capacity.
• Dependent on students remaining in good standing with respect to attendance, behavior, and academic performance, as outlined in district expectations.
• Subject to revocation if provided information is inaccurate, incomplete, or no longer valid.
• Conditioned upon compliance with all district policies and procedures.
• Not guaranteed from year to year and require a new transfer request each year.
• The responsibility of the parent/guardian for providing transportation.
• Final and not subject to appeal.

Unavailable Schools

• BREWER EARLY INNOVATION ACADEMY
• BRITT DAVID MAGNET ACADEMY
• CLUBVIEW ELEMENTARY
• COLUMBUS HIGH SCHOOL
• DAVIS ELEMENTARY
• DOROTHY HEIGHT ELEMENTARY
• DOWNTOWN MAGNET ACADEMY
• EAGLE RIDGE ACADEMY
• MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. ELEM
• MATHEWS ELEMENTARY
• NORTH COLUMBUS ELEMENTARY
• NORTHSIDE HIGH
• RAINEY MCCULLERS SCH OF ARTS
• RICHARDS MIDDLE
• ST ELMO CTR FOR THE GIFTED
• VETERANS MEMORIAL MIDDLE
• WOODALL CENTER