Transferring into a new school district? (Austin, Spring: how much, transfer to, school districts)

[thedogatemyhomework]

I live in between several school districts and I'm wondering is it possible to transfer into a school district? Currently, my kids will be Austin ISD but we are close to both Dripping Springs and Lake Travis. Is this possible? How do you go about it if so? Do you contact the school or the District office?

Many thanks

[hoffdano]

I don't believe this is trivial to do. Each ISD has their own policies regarding out of district eligibility. I know Eanes accepts a limited number of out of district students per year. At the high school level participation in UIL sports can be impacted because the UIL does not want "recruitment" of star athletes from other areas. Eanes does this at least partly to influence the calculation done to determine how much they are affected by "Robin Hood." The calculation essentially divides the taxable wealth by the "weighted average daily attendance" so increasing the WADA reduces the wealth per student ratio.

In other words - you need to be a resident of the district you want to go to. That's why they ask for proof of residency when someone new registers for school.

Another consideration - taxpayers in the district boundaries are generally not interested in funding education for children that don't live in the district.

[thedogatemyhomework]

I'm not sure I understand your point - I get that different districts have different policies - I was wondering if you actually knew what those were.

Thanks

[hoffdano]

Originally Posted by thedogatemyhomework

I'm not sure I understand your point - I get that different districts have different policies - I was wondering if you actually knew what those were.

Thanks

I'm afraid I don't. I was just suggesting that it may not be easy. The districts may not be very interested in accepting out of district kids.

[thedogatemyhomework]

Yeah - I'm sure it's not easy. I just had a look and it seems that in theory they accept out of district transfers, but may be something that I'd have to reapply for each year. Probably not worth the hassle. I just now found out we are set to go to the new SW elementary school - I actually had no idea but guess we've been 're-boundaried'. New usually means good, right!? ugh!

[hound 109]

Originally Posted by thedogatemyhomework

I'm not sure I understand your point - I get that different districts have different policies - I was wondering if you actually knew what those were.

Thanks

I'm thinking the point might be...that a taxpayer of one district wouldn't want to pay for the education (5-7K per year?) of a resident from another district.

(if i lived in one of the districts....even if i knew the policy (assuming one exists at DS or LT) ...i wouldn't share this info....since it would just cost me money)

[hoffdano]

I believe the ISD can legally charge "tuition" based on actual per student costs. As a taxpayer, that is the only way I would allow out of district students to enroll in the district I pay taxes in.

You can read Eanes' policy as an example by searching for "eanes isd transfer policy"

[Danbo1957]

Originally Posted by hoffdano

I believe the ISD can legally charge "tuition" based on actual per student costs.

This is correct. Going to a school in another district is very difficult to do for many valid reasons.

[Mrs.JT]

I know several people who were successful with intra-district transfers, but I only know a mere handful who were successful with inter-district transfers. It seems like the latter is a much more difficult feat, like others have said. It's possible, but difficult. If the school district you'd like to transfer to is attractive enough, I think it's worth it. Good luck.

[capcat]

I would contact the district office, but information to get you started may be on their websites. Also, click on the TEA link below for information and contacts for requests due to specific circumstances (question #4):
Texas School District Locator - Frequently-Asked Questions