Permission to change school mid year LoCo (home, transfer to)

[Anonmom]

I am wondering if anyone has has any success in requesting to transfer to a new school during the school year?

My child's high school is not a good fit. The teachers are horrible and we are having major problems with several teachers for a 2nd year. Last year was horrible, he missed quite a bit of school for a major emergency surgery. We gave the school as much notice as possible, about a week. I sent an email to all teachers, counselors and admin to advise of the situation, the long recovery and physical limitations upon his return. Suggested a group meeting to plan etc. most never even responded. 2 out of 6 gave us work for while he was out. I spent 2 grading periods begging for work, information etc. upon his return teachers would tell him work needed, wouldn't meet for help, would set up meetings and didn't show up. Teachers even punished him for the physical limitations he had when he returned, even with Dr notes. We had to beg for a grading period extension for him to finish work, teachers still wouldn't meet or found more and more work that wasn't brought up prior. It was ugly, his grades were affected and many people were unhappy.

He returned this year, it's our home school, and it seems some teachers were maybe "warned" about us and he is still struggling with teachers treatment and preconceived ideas of him. He is a good kid, has As and Bs, but there are problems that I am not understanding or getting answers to. We are stressed and upset and he is asking to see if he can get permission to change schools. Do they even allow that?

Also, if we can't change this year, we would need to apply for special permission for next year. The other problem is he is an athlete and does not want to sit out of his sports for a year - has anyone has any success in obtaining a waiver to allow sports participation when requesting to attend a different school?

Sorry so long...thanks!

[BOS2IAD]

I call tell you this --- We know someone in LoCo whose daughter was physically disabled. The elementary school was overcrowded and her parents worried that she might get injured by getting jostled in the hallways. They asked to change her to a new elementary school and their request was granted.

Just be aware --- from what I hear, you will really need to be assertive when advocating for your child.

In my experience, it's like pulling teeth to get teachers in the middle and high schools to communicate with you.

[cdmurphy]

From this: https://www.lcps.org/page/118

2. I heard that the school system can grant a “waiver” so I can remain eligible for VHSL athletics?
ANSWER: A waiver may be considered for transfers that are required or mandated by the school system or are for the welfare of the student or school system but not for athletic/activity reasons.

So, in other words, they wouldn't grant the waiver if your son was trying to transfer because he didn't make the varsity team at School A but wanted to try at School B. But I would think that "for the welfare of the student" is broad and could be argued in his case.

The problem with any special permission situation is that there has to be capacity at the school. The only high schools that were taking special permission requests this year were Broad Run, Heritage, Riverside, Tuscarora, and Woodgrove. (https://www.lcps.org/Domain/11494). Maybe you could contact Gabrielle Carpenter at that link and see what the real deal is with a mid-year transfer.

[NC211]

Our situation was that we wanted our son to be in the same school as our daughter who is autistic. We've not had any problems with the request in the past (although they're still both elementary). Only stipulation we've ever encountered was transportation. Basically, if you provide the to/from, and there's an open seat, then it's not a problem.

[Anonmom]

Thanks for your responses!


He is coming from an over capacity school and wants to go to a different one that is over capacity, so they probably won't approve it for any reason?