3141: Enrollment - Nonresident Students

Any student who resides outside of the Bellevue School District (District) may apply to attend a school in the District. All applications for nonresident students will be considered equally.

Information on interdistrict acceptance policies will be provided to nonresidents families on request. Providing online access to the information satisfies the requirements of this Policy unless a parent or guardian specifically requests a hard copy.

A parent/guardian or (if the student is over 18), the student may apply for admission by completing a Bellevue School District Interdistrict Transfer Application and submitting a Choice Transfer Request form to their resident district.

The Superintendent or his/her designee will approve or deny an Interdistrict Transfer Application based on the following standards:

1. Whether space is available in the grade level, classes or program at the building in which the student desires to be enrolled;
2. Whether appropriate educational programs or services are available to improve the student’s condition as stated in requesting release from his or her resident district.
3. Whether the student’s attendance in the district is likely to create a risk to the health or safety of other students or staff;
4. Whether the student’s disciplinary records indicate a history of violent or disruptive behavior or gang membership (a gang means a group of three or more persons with identifiable leadership that on an ongoing basis regularly conspires and acts in concert mainly for criminal purposes); and
5. Whether the student has been expelled or suspended from another school for more than ten consecutive days;
6. Whether acceptance of the student would result in the District experiencing a financial hardship.

If the nonresident student is the child of a full-time District employee the Superintendent or his/her designee will accept the enrollment or transfer request unless the nonresident student:

1. Has a disciplinary record that indicates a history of violent or disruptive behavior, or gang membership;
2. Has been expelled or suspended from school for more than ten consecutive days; or
3. Enrollment of the nonresident student would displace a student who is a resident of the Bellevue School District, (except that once the nonresident student of a full-time employee has been permitted to enroll, the student must be permitted to remain enrolled in the school or District’s kindergarten through twelfth grade continuum until the student completes his or her schooling subject to other applicable policies.)

Secondary students approved for Interdistrict Transfers are subject to the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) eligibility rules.

A student who resides in a school district that does not operate a secondary program will be permitted to enroll in secondary schools in this District in accordance with Washington State law and regulation relating to the financial responsibility of the resident district.

The Superintendent or his/her designee will provide applicants with written notification of the approval or denial of their application within 45 days. This notification may be made via an electronic method and/or as a hard copy document via the US Postal Service.

If the application is approved, the Superintendent or his/her designee will notify the resident school district and the parent/guardian. The receiving school will make necessary arrangements for the transfer of student records.

If the application is denied, the Superintendent or his/her designee will notify the parent/guardian of the right to appeal to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).

Students experiencing homelessness shall be allowed to remain in the District as required by law and outlined in Policy 3115.

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Cross References

• Board Policy 3120 Resident Student Enrollment
• Board Policy 3122 Excused and Unexcused Absences
• Board Policy 3241 Classroom Management, Corrective Actions and/or Intervention
• Board Policy 3115 Homeless Students: Enrollment Rights and Services
• Board Policy 4220 Complaints Concerning Staff or Programs

Legal References

• RCW 28A.225.220 Adults, children from other districts, agreements for attending school — Tuition
• RCW 28A.225.225 Enrolling Children of Employees
• RCW 28A.225.290 Enrollment options information booklet
• RCW 28A.225.300 Enrollment options information to parents
• WAC 392-137 Finance — Nonresident attendance

Management Resources

• Policy News, June 2003 Enrolling children of School Employees
• Policy News, September 1999 School safety bills impact policy