Student Transfers

Important Points

• Visit the Katy ISD Attendance Zones Map to determine the schools to which your residence is zoned.
• Student transfers are for children in Kindergarten - Grade 12.
• Approvals are per school year.  Transfers must be renewed annually, except for KISD employees who are exempted (see below).
• A parent/guardian to a student may request the assignment of a student to a campus other than the campus to which the student's residence is zoned (home campus).  A district student application may be submitted via katyisd.org.  Applications must be submitted with designated timeframe posted on the webpage. 

Reasons for denying a transfer include, but are not limited to, the following in accordance with Board Policy FDB (LOCAL):

• Overcrowded condition at receiving campus or requires employment of additional staff
• Record of poor attendance, late arrivals, early and/or late pick-ups, and/or disciplinary infractions
• For the purpose of participating in an extra-curricular activity at receiving campus
• Previous transfer already granted for the current school year
• Falsification of information
• Failure to meet deadlines
• Failure to meet district criteria for a transfer
• Board-approved closed campus due to enrollment
• Student is not currently enrolled and attending the home campus
• Previous assignment to a Discipline Alternative Education Program (DAEP) or expulsion to Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program (JJAEP)
• Any felony or misdemeanor criminal conviction
• Revocation of a previous transfer

The following are some reasons for revocation of a student transfer in accordance with Board Policy FDB (LOCAL):

• Repeated failure to abide by the rules specified in the Discipline Management Plan and Student Code of Conduct or the student commits a disciplinary infraction that mandates removal to a DAEP or JJAEP  
• Documented pattern of late arrivals, early and/or late pick-ups, and/or poor attendance
• Falsification of information
• Failure to provide documentation of occupancy of a residence when a temporary transfer is granted based on an intended residence     
• Continued enrollment at the campus would result in a fiscal burden to the district requiring additional staff and/or facility space to provide services to the student

Approvals are per school year.  Renewal applications must be submitted annually. Renewal applications are approvable only if the initial reason for the request still exists. Upon completion of the student’s education at one campus level, a new transfer application will need to be completed. There should be no expectation that a transfer will be accepted to a junior high or high school in the same feeder pattern. (Exception: KISD full-time employees may request a transfer to continue within the feeder pattern of the school to which the child was transferred.)

Transfer Application Requirements

• A transfer application and agreement must be renewed by a parent/legal guardian annually. 
• The transfer application, agreement, and all required documentation must be submitted within the designated application window. Incomplete applications will not be processed or approved.
•  Students will be allowed only one transfer request per school year.
•  Students must meet the state’s compulsory attendance requirement of attending at least 90 percent of instructional days during the current school year and the school year prior to applying.
• Students must be in good standing for behavior and academic performance (see Denial or Revocation for behaviors that would result in a denial of a transfer request).

Denial or Revocation of a Student Transfer

• Students must abide by the Discipline Management Plan and Student Code of Conduct. A transfer may be revoked for serious or persistent misconduct. Additionally, a student transfer may also be revoked for any of the following behaviors (these behaviors would also prevent a transfer application from being accepted):
  • Attendance below 90 percent of instructional days
  • A pattern of late arrivals to school or repeated late pick-ups by a parent or guardian
  • Three or more discipline referrals within the same school year (requires review) 
  • One or more out-of-school suspensions 
  • Placement in a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP) or Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program (JJAEP) 
  • Court-ordered probation, adjudicated delinquent conduct, or criminal conviction 
  • Felony conviction

Students will be placed on a probationary contract if there is a pattern of concern with attendance, conduct, or participation.

In addition to the reasons outlined above, a student’s transfer may be denied or revoked for one or more of the following reasons:

• Failure to meet the criteria of a probationary transfer contract, if applicable

• Failure to participate in all required state and federal assessments

• Lack of parental cooperation or failure to maintain communication with school staff

• Parent or guardian behavior that is hostile, threatening, or interferes with staff duties or the learning environment

• Falsification of residency, transfer, or enrollment documents, which is a criminal offense subject to fines under the Texas Penal Code, Section 37.10

Additional Notes

• Students with an approved transfer are not eligible for District transportation. Parking privileges for high school students are not guaranteed and are subject to campus availability and regulations.

• School district approval of a transfer does not grant UIL varsity athletic eligibility. An application for a waiver of the UIL Parent Residence Rule may be required.

• Transfers do not and will not override a Board-approved Attendance Boundary Modification.

Appeals

Parents who wish to appeal the denial of a transfer application must submit a request for review to the Student Transfer Committee. The Committee decision may be appealed in accordance with FNG(LOCAL).

For any questions regarding the Transfer process or procedures, please contact studenttransfers@katyisd.org.

No, you will not need to submit a transfer request if your student will be attending his/her zoned campus.  You will need to contact the campus registrar and provide him/her with updated proof of residence (lease agreement, closing statement, utility bill – water, gas, or electricity).  The registrar will update your child’s school in the KISD system.

Children of non-employees who move out of the district during the school year may be allowed to complete the current semester.  If you move out of the district during the course of a semester, you must immediately provide the campus with updated proof of residence and immediately submit a transfer request.  High school seniors who move out of the district during the school year may be allowed to complete their education at Katy ISD.  The Student Transfer Office will review attendance and behavior with regard to approval or denial of the transfer request.

Parents/Guardians should contact the Katy ISD Athletic Department at 281-396-7780 to verify if a student will be eligible for UIL participation at a new campus, or if transferring will result in the forfeiture of varsity eligibility for a year. Participation will be in accordance with all applicable UIL regulations and Board Policy FMF (LOCAL). Varsity athletic participation is based on UIL residency requirements for grades 8-12. The UIL residency rule applies to athletics only.

Only full-time KISD employees (parents) are eligible for an employee-based student transfer.  Part-time and substitute employees are not eligible.  A full-time district employee may request a transfer for their student to attend the actual worksite of the employee or the closest campus to the employee’s worksite.  New employees have one month from the date of employment to submit transfer applications.

Children of employees (parent) who are currently on a transfer will be automatically renewed unless they meet any of the following:

• The student is entering K, 6th or 9th grade
• The student resides outside of Katy ISD boundaries
• The employee is changing job locations and wishes for their child(ren) to attend their new worksite or worksite closest to the new location

IF ANY OF THE ABOVE CRITERIA IS MET, A NEW ONLINE TRANSFER APPLICATION IS REQUIRED.

Attendance Boundary Modifications(ABMs) help the District manage growth in Katy ISD.  As enrollment increases, it becomes necessary to adjust boundaries and open new schools.  ABMs enable the District to balance student enrollment at campuses.

District student transfers will not override an Attendance Boundary Modification approved by the Board of Trustees.  Your student will need to attend his/her zoned campus.  Please see https://www.katyisd.org/domain/5700 for additional ABM information.