Interdistrict Transfers

What is an Interdistrict Transfer?

An interdistrict transfer is used when families wish to enroll their student(s) in a school district other than the one assigned to their home address. This applies to students trying to transfer into and out of Santa Clara Unified School District (SCUSD).

Students Living Within SCUSD Boundaries Transferring to Another District 

Families who live within the Santa Clara Unified School District boundaries may request for their student to attend a school outside of Santa Clara Unified School District. 

Families living within the SCUSD boundaries must follow the process below:

• Submit the following documents to inters@scusd.net.
  • Interdistrict Attendance Transfer Request Form (Spanish Version).
  • One current proof of residency document.
  • Copy of IEP or 504 Plan (if applicable).
• Interdistrict Transfer Requests must be processed by SCUSD first.
• A copy of the request then be forwarded to you and your desired district.
• Your desired distinct will review the Interdistrict Transfer Request and provide you with a denial or acceptance letter (contact your desired district for more information).
• Continuing interdistrict transfer students must reapply each year.

Students Living Outside the SCUSD Boundaries Transferring into SCUSD

Students who live, or who have moved, outside the Santa Clara Unified School District boundaries have the opportunity to request attendance to a school within Santa Clara Unified School District from their district of residence. 

Families living outside of the SCUSD boundaries must follow the process below:

• Contact your district of residence and follow their Interdistrict Transfer Request process
• Interdistrict Transfer Requests must be processed by your district of residence first
• Your district will forward a copy of the request to SCUSD 
• SCUSD will review the Interdistrict Transfer Request and will provide you with a denial or an acceptance letter by mail and email*
• Continuing interdistrict transfer students must reapply each year

Our current board policy only allows for interdistrict transfers from another district in limited cases. Enrollment in SCUSD is based on the student residing within our school district boundaries. Due to the volume of interdistrict transfer requests received and our district's funding from local property taxpayers, we do not anticipate approving any Interdistrict Transfer other than those that qualify per Board Policy 5117 and Administrative Regulation 5117, which include SCUSD employees.

Requests which have been granted will be in force for one school year and will remain in force only if the student meets the attendance, behavior, and scholastic requirements of the district requested.

The superintendent or designee may approve interdistrict agreements for the reasons listed in Board Policy 5117 Interdistrict Attendance and Administrative Regulation 5117 Interdistrict Attendance.

Families will be responsible for the student’s transportation to and from school. 

Timelines

The district must respond to requests according to the following timelines:

• If the transfer request is for a school year that begins within 15 calendar days of the receipt of the request, the superintendent or designee shall notify the parent/guardian of the final decision within 30 calendar days of receiving the request. 
• If the transfer request is for a school year that begins more than 15 calendar days after the receipt of the request, the parent/guardian shall be notified of the final decision as soon as possible, but no later than 14 calendar days after the commencement of instruction during that school year.

*If a student's interdistrict transfer request is denied, the superintendent or designee shall, in writing, notify the parents/guardians of their right to appeal. The parents/guardian have the right to appeal a denied interdistrict transfer if they believe they have grounds to appeal the decision within 5 calendar days of the receipt, or the request will be considered dropped.